Have you ever wanted to profile your CSR/Philanthropy initiatives in a clear and concise way? Sometimes, the public doesn’t want to know your numbers, how long you’ve spent with a foundation and all the sticky details.  Sometimes, all the public wants is quick and easy way to read the facts.  2012 will be the year of CSR, philanthropy and charity utilizing social media tools.  What’s the hottest tool organizations are using?  Infographics.

The There Is No Limit Foundation had a unique opportunity to work with a professional grade graphic design company.  Elefint Design donated their services to the foundation and the results were magnificent:

The There Is No Limit Foundation wanted to profile Guinea, a country sometimes turned a blind eye by donators.  The infographic highlights the most important problems the country is facing (contaminated drinking water, limited access to sanitation, living wages, illiteracy and death).

Secondly, the infographic highlights the There Is No Limit Foundation’s programs and how they address the serious problems Guinea is faced with.

The good news for you and your company, is that if you don’t have a graphic designer on your payroll, you can start small with Google’s Infographic Toolbox. Choose from dozens of templates to find the perfect display for your initiatives.

For more infographic templates, visit www.creattica.com.

I met Jaki Bent from the U.K. at the Experts Industry Association Meeting.  She is the founder of If Everyone Cares, a new nonprofit based in the U.K.  I was impressed with her vision and enthusiasm for this exciting new endeavor.  Check it out!

Here is what she had to say about If Everyone Cares:

From their website:

“Many people in life are frustrated with all of the things that they think they are unable to do.

If Everyone Cares wants to turn the tide and help people to focus on all of the things that they can do to help others and of all the great things that are going on in the world.

Some of our initial aims and goals are:

• To provide a way to unite those who need help with those who wantto help
• Create a Global Database of every Project and Volunteer Opportunity
• To have every Non-Profit, Charity, Community Project or similar organization pinpointed on Google Earth (or similar) – This way we can:
  • Support those people/communities who need help
  • Know where to go if help is needed
  • See what works and gain inspiration to set up similar projects in our own communities
• Create a simple yet comprehensive resource pack for anyone who wishes to start their own community-based project
• Highlight some of the amazing projects that go on all over the world thereby making them visible to those who are able to help or may need help”
• and more…

To learn more and to find out how you can support this effort, go to If Everyone Cares or “Like” them on Facebook.

If you are like most business leaders, you probably are very concerned these days about the impact of a tough economy on your ability to give needed resources to your favorite causes or nonprofit organizations. You see the need mushrooming in your community every day…and you see the companies around you starting to tighten their philanthropic belt. Add to that the recent earthquake and its destruction in Haiti and the strong desire we all have to provide whatever financial support we can immediately but which may deplete our donation line item.  What to do to continue your support for local and other causes you care about when cash is tight?

Join me, Sue Hyatt, for this free teleclass in which I will walk you through five easy to follow strategies for your 2010 business giving so you can authentically support your favorite causes in heartfelt ways and grow your business, as well.

To register and get the call in number, click here.

Hope to “see” you there at 3-4 pm MT/5-6 pm ET on January 21st! If you can’t make this time “live,” no worries! The call will be recorded –so register anyway and you will be sent the email link to listen later when you have time.

My bank, BBVA Compass, launched a new program in 2009 called “The Compass For Your Cause” both to support nonprofit fundraising and grow their customer base.  The concept behind the program was not to ask people to write a check or buy special premium items (who really needs another candy bar??), but to do something they were doing every day already – use their check card for purchases.

So how does it work? A nonprofit signs up for a free business checking account at BBVA Compass (while keeping existing accounts at other banks, if they want). Then, by spreading the word to their networks – friends, family, volunteers, and other supporters, they can earn dollars.  For every person that opens a free individual account at BBVA Compass and specifies the nonprofit they want to support, that nonprofit will receive $20 deposited directly into their account. Then, for every subsequent purchase made by supporters using their BBVA Compass account check card, a $0.25% royalty will also be deposited in the nonprofit’s account. 

I don’t know about you, but I almost never carry cash anymore.  I use my check card instead.  So to have a percentage going to support my favorite nonprofit, EVERY time I buy something, catches my attention!  BBVA Compass has branches in 6 states: Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, New Mexico, and Texas.

Food for Thought:

·     Do you have nonprofits you support that could benefit from the “Compass For Your Cause Program”?  Pass the word! 

·     Can you develop a marketing/distribution strategy for a new or existing product or service that could expand your company’s exposure to new markets and benefit local causes?

Amy Pera, Cherry Creek Branch Manager of BBVA Compass Bank, sent me the following information as an email follow up.

“Thank you again for taking the time to discuss our Compass For Your Cause Program.  We are extremely excited about the opportunity to help the many wonderful non-profit businesses that are in need of additional funding.  This program is an excellent opportunity for them to earn donations without much effort on their part.  It will also provide them with a monthly stream ofl income from the ongoing debit card transactions by their members who open a checking account with Compass.

Here is the link for decision-makers that tells about the program:  http://www.compassbank.com/business/affinity/

In addition, here is the link for members who open a personal account to learn more about what it entails:  http://www.compassbank.com/personal/affinity/”

Check it out and spread the word!!

I hope 2009 finds you happy, healthy, and ready to continue your business giving and community involvement to do your part to make a real difference in our world.  These are tough times for many people.  Daily, I hear so many negative things when I talk to some entrepreneurs and small business owners because of the state of the economy, it can get a little depressing!  I see many smaller business owners pulling back and hardening their protective shell as they think such actions will help them ride things out and keep their businesses afloat.  But I wonder if that will really work…for me whenever I have closed down and “gone underground” to regroup, I ended up shutting off opportunities.  When I have hibernated because I had business challenges that I didn’t want others to know about – figuring I needed to try to figure out the way forward on my own before I showed my face again - I ended up feeling really isolated and alone.  And then things DID go from bad to worse.

At the same time that I see many business people turning inwards, I also see many others with a sense of optimism and hope that together we can “turn the Titanic.”  I have been at several business events in the past couple months where entrepreneurs and small business people (some whose bank accounts I can only begin to imagine) are committing themselves to using their skills, talents, and connections to come up with new solutions to social and economic issues – old and new.  It has been very inspiring to me and helped me stay really positive.

As I listened to Obama’s inauguration speech, two specific sections struck me.  I will share one of those today and the second in my post tomorrow.

“Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched.  But this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control. The nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous.  The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our gross domestic product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on the ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart — not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.”

In my work, I have long been trying to shift the paradigm from “charity” to a greater sense of partnership between businesses and community organizations for the “common good.”  It is one reason I work with companies to be more strategic and intentional in how they offer their support to nonprofits – often encouraging business people to think past checkbook philanthropy.  For me, cutting a check and then turning your back because “you’re done” is self defeating and a lost opportunity to do a deeper kind of “good.”  I am absolutely a fan of capitalism and the market – but conscious/compassionate capitalism.  I refuse to consider that making a profit and running a business that considers the other two P’s (people and planet) are mutually exclusive.  And there are many great examples that doing all three is totally possible and even preferable for long-term success.

We are at a unique point in history – at least in my lifetime – where so many people are willing to step up – really step up – and be part of the solution not just whining couch potatoes.   Some of these have never paid attention or been active in civic life before.  They are collaborating for the common good and to rebuild our trust and pride in our country.  Won’t you join us?  What can you and your company do?  Remember my mantra – “You are never too small to make a difference.”

I was at Metafolics Salon in Denver today for a hair cut with owner Jason Linkow.  I am a big Jason fan – he gives a fabulous hair cut AND he a smart, insightful business person.  I interviewed him for my forthcoming book, The Business Handbook of Strategic Philanthropy, because I felt he was a great example of a small business committed to doing good in the community and at the same time growing the salon’s business.  Metafolics sponsors an annual event to raise money for melanoma which is very impressive.  But I digress – I’ll write more about that in another post. 

While I was “in the chair,” Jason and I got into a discussion about Oprah’s Big Give Show.  Because I really value his perspective, I now will go to http://www.abc.com and watch the two episodes I did not watch as I was underwhelmed with Show One.  Jason told me several things about the Big Give that I had not gotten from watching the first show.  He watches the Oprah Show regularly so he saw the episode where Oprah set the stage for the Big Give and gave more details about who the judges are and their amazing personal philanthropic activities.  I wish I also had seen that Oprah Show to give me a better context when watching the Big Give. Had there been a few more of those details given during the Big Give premier show itself, I probably would have been a little less harsh in my critique.

Jason felt the “tapestry of the show” was being woven with each new episode exanding and deepening the overall message of the series.  I trust him to get such things “right” – he has never steered me wrong on a big screen production and always adds a layer of analysis that I somehow missed.  So I’ll write more after I watch the next episodes.  Check back later this week! 

I ‘d love to hear what your thoughts are about the Big Give, as well.  Is it just another tear jerker way to get viewers or is it really moving us all to more heartfelt and generous action?

I watched the kick off of Oprah’s Big Give show on Sunday night.  If you missed it, you still can check it out at www.abc.com/fullepisodes.  I must say the notion of a “charity game show” by Oprah intrigued me.  While I don’t regularly watch Oprah’s show, I do believe Oprah does a lot of good generally – she addresses many important issues on her show, is a great philanthropist herself, and has really helped make personal development (especially for women) a much more mainstream endeavor.  However, I must say I was disappointed.  The show had pre-selected beneficiaries for the show’s giving activities.  Most of the beneficiaries had experienced true heartache due to their traumatic life experiences – however, the story of young doctor that owed over $200K in student loans from medical school who wants to do good work with kids, however worthy, seemed a little out of place compared to some of the other stories to me - widow of a murdered husband, homeless woman and her two children, a disabled veteran, and a mother working with the developmentally disabled because her own son had been born with Down’s Syndrome.

The contestants were a varied group of “regular” folks and were clearly thrilled to be participating.  However, the whole team competition thing seemed contrived to me – watching team members squabble with each other over the best way to do things as part of their giving challenge seemed a little unnecessary.  I guess it was meant to add interest and hype…?  Didn’t work that way for me.  And what really qualified these three people to be judges?  I am left wondering.

I understand this show is really entertainment - that also does good.  However, some subtle education woven in about effective giving to really change lives for the long term, perhaps through the judges’ comments, would have been great.  Maybe in later episodes on another challenge?  We’ll see.  And why not highlight some of the business philanthropy that was also included in support of various teams’ efforts?  Oprah herself could have done some little 1 minute pitch about supporting local nonprofits or people in need at the very end of the show.  I was left wanting just a little something more!

The show went for tears and a heart connection with us, the audience.  But did we learn anything?  Will it inspire each of us to show up differently and give back?  Seems like a huge missed opportunity to me!

I saw a little piece entitled, “A Fine Idea”, in the Rocky Mountain News a while back that a number of local libraries were donating a week’s worth of fines to the Red Cross tsunami effort.  “To contribute, pay your fine from January 24-30.”  So while I realize libraries are part of local government not the private sector– this is still a great example of a way to get something the organization needs done (i.e., get books returned and fines paid) and give to a worthwhile cause at the same time.

Does this give you any ideas about something your company could do?   Got any late fees coming your way?

As a birthday gift this week, my sister gave me a red glass heart INSPI(RED) ornament by Hallmark.  Not only is it pretty and a sentimental gift from my only sister, it was even more meaningful because she knows how much I believe in business playing a role in addressing global concerns.  Part of the purchase price of the ornament goes to helping eliminate AIDS in Africa.  The perfect birthday gift for me!!

That birthday gift started me on a roll.  Today I decided to break down and buy an iPod shuffle to help with my annual New Year’s Resolution of going to the gym more often.  In the Apple store, I decided (especially for the same price!) to get the (PRODUCT)RED Special Edition – I was going to buy one anyway, I can find red in my purse, and I know my purchase would be doing a little bit to help the RED effort on AIDS.  After I got home, I realized while I knew RED was associated with Bono, but I did not know enough about the details so I went surfing to http://joinred.com as instructed by the little card that came with my shuffle.   I found out that (RED) was created by Bono and Bobby Shriver, Chairman of DATA “to raise awareness and money for The Global Fund by teaming up with the world’s most iconic brands to produce (PRODUCT)RED branded products. A percentage of each (PRODUCT)RED product sold is given to The Global Fund. The money helps women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa.”  I was especially interested to read that RED is a brand designed to engage business and consumer power in the fight against AIDS in Africa. “(RED) works with the world’s biggest brands to make unique (PRODUCT) RED-branded products and direct up to 50% of their gross profits to the Global Fund to invest in African AIDS programs with a focus on the health of women and children. (RED) is not a charity or “campaign.” It is an economic initiative that aims to deliver a sustainable flow of private sector money to the Global Fund… (PRODUCT) RED launched on March 1, 2006 in the UK and on October 13, 2006 in the US. Current product partners include Converse, Gap, Motorola, Emporio Armani, Apple, Hallmark, and American Express (UK only). “  To date, their partners’ (PRODUCT) RED contributions to the Global Fund have reached over $50 million.  VERY impressive!!

Food for Thought: 

So while they aren’t labelled or discussed this way on the website, (PRODUCT)RED items are considered “for benefit” products.  A “for benefit” product is one which is developed purposefully to generate dollars to support a cause.  A percentage of every sale of the product is allocated to tackle the identified social issue.  For benefit products are a great way to enlist consumer support and buying power to raise dollars.  All good, right?  I know such offerings definitely influence my purchasing decisions as a consumer – I love opportunities to “do double duty” with what I buy.  However, I know from my discussions with some business thought leaders committed to social innovation, there are concerns about some for benefit products generally.  (NOTE: I am not making any accusations about (PRODUCT)RED by mentioning this.)  Sure, for benefit products “do good” by raising dollars but some business folks are concerned about how some of these products were sourced.  Were they produced in ways to minimize potential negative environmental and social impacts?  No huge nasty smokestacks or sweat shops paying slave wages, right?  Because wouldn’t that be sort of an oxymoron – produce products which raise money, perhaps to address some of the conditions exacerbated by the production of the product? Hmmm.. 

Interesting to think about…what are your thoughts on for benefit products?  For now, I personally will keep buying for benefit products as I find them and assume the best.

Today I opened my annual greeting card that I received in the mail from the law offices of Holme, Roberts & Owen, LLP.   This year’s card was a 5 x 7 postcard sent in an envelope.  What I like about HRO’s card is that it features their logo, tagline, and lists their locations across the bottom – using a very minimalist approach to promoting their business.  The card instead is designed to highlight the company’s support of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and gives a brief two paragraph description of the nonprofit.  It then goes on to state,”Once again, in lieu of a traditional holiday greeting, HRO is very proud to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation on your behalf by adopting and granting the wish of a young girl.”  On the other side of the postcard is a photo and description of the girl they are supporting with details of her wish — to travel to Hawaii to see beaches, dolphins and volcanos.  The card itself has been designed to highlight the girl’s wish – barefeet in sand with a starfish on one side and a lei and sand along with her photo on the other side.  Very nicely done.  Maybe next year, your company could do something similar…??? 

For more information on Holme, Roberts & Owen’s community involvement, go to: http://www.hro.com/displayPage/472.