Shop Local + Give Local = Investing in Our Community

Tags: Business Philanthropy, Philanthropic Education

Major corporations such as Google and Apple are revered for the millions of dollars they give locally, nationally, and globally to nonprofit efforts. Those at the top have structured their business to include conscious investments and volunteer incentives. Just like marketing, budgeting, recruiting, and every other aspect of their business, philanthropy is approached strategically.

Successful businesses invest in various ways. One approach is to support a sector that aligns with the company’s product, i.e. creating higher education opportunities for youth who would eventually buy a computer. Other businesses host charitable events or donate raffle items such as lift tickets/rooms/demos, and simultaneously attract future customers. Some businesses limit their giving to their own region, while others match employee donations and volunteer time.

Many North Tahoe and Truckee businesses and business people give to favorite areas, nonprofit organizations, schools, and more, and our community is better for their generosity. While local businesses do not often have the need or luxury to hire a staff person or entire branch specifically to develop philanthropic strategy, they can still attend to their charitable ventures with consideration and intentional action.

A conscious giving strategy can involve customers, employees and the greater community. There are innumerable ways to structure giving such as transactional gifts, revenue portions, employee give-back, custom events, giving circles, or more. To sift through these options, the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation (TTCF) introduces the Give Back Tahoe Business Sponsorship Program.

TTCF’s goal is to connect business and business people with nonprofit organizations that align with their philanthropic interests. After generating funds through the method of their choice, a business can contribute directly to the area of impact that they are most passionate about through TTCF’s Philanthropy Account. Those funds are then distributed in collaboration during the holiday giving season. This way, your business can focus on your business all year round.

Through this model, businesses become more consciously involved in the causes they care about, local nonprofits receive greater exposure to new donors, and the community becomes a more vibrant place to live.

Call TTCF if you are interested in enrolling your business in a strategic philanthropy plan at (530) 587-1776 or email info@ttcf.net.

This article first appeared on Sierra Sun’s Give Back Tahoe page on 6/10/2015.  It is a part of a greater conversation to generate awareness about our local nonprofit community.  Every Wednesday, Sierra Sun features nonprofits in our area so that our community can learn more about the incredible work they do.