8 Tried & Tested Ways for Effective Charity Outreach With Tight Profit Margins

At Better Green, we're fortunate to have amazing clients who enable us to financially assist those in need, with at least 20% of our profits allocated to sustainability and outreach. Understandably, not all businesses can commit funds to such causes. However, beyond monetary support, we engage in volunteering, donation drives, awareness campaigns, and more to aid our chosen charities. Even with limited finances, supporting charities as a business can be impactful. Here are practical ways to make a positive difference: volunteering, organizing donation drives, raising awareness, and other non-monetary contributions.

1. Skills-Based Volunteering:

   Leverage the skills and expertise within your team to provide services or training that could benefit a charity. For example, offer free workshops, training sessions, or consultations related to your business's expertise.

   • We regularly send BGG staff throughout the year to ShowerBox, for essential maintenance / new projects. Sarah Lamptey founded ShowerBox, a British organisation in 2019 and was awarded ‘Change Maker of the Year’ by Just Giving /Big Issue. Sarah has dedicated the last four years to this incredible cause, improving the standard of living for the homeless and hidden homeless through access to one of life’s fundamental needs; a clean, hot, and safe shower. Visit their website now to find out how you can get involved!

   • Faron Alex Paul is an anti-knife crime street-credited mediator who has personally led a crusade against UK youth-centric knife crime. We continue to support Faron and his crusade, direct to source and direct impact, saving physical lives through funding, paid social media support and events, and PR support. Our CEO’S have also personally volunteered and will continue to do so on face-to-face weapons collections in their local area.

2. Partnerships and Collaborations:

   Forge partnerships with charitable organisations. This could involve joint initiatives, co-hosting events, or collaborating on projects that align with both your business goals and the charitable cause.

   • We were so pleased to collaborate with the wonderful ShowerBox Charity and our esteemed clients to host a one-day event providing a hot meal, haircut, and shower for homeless individuals in London alongside one of our incredible clients for ShowerBox. We provided staff to support on the day, plus lots of important gifts such as socks. Our client kindly provided a space for us to host this event.

3. Awareness Campaigns - Advocacy and Education:

   Use your business's platform to raise awareness for specific causes. Share information about charities, their missions, and the impact they make. This can be done through social media, newsletters, or your company website. Use your platform to advocate for social issues or educate your audience on important causes. Sharing knowledge and encouraging positive behavior change can be a powerful way to support charities indirectly.

   • At Better Green, we regularly post updates and information about the charities that we support. We include links in our LinkTree to allow people to go straight through to the charities’ websites, and find out how to support and/or donate directly. We have the logos, bios, and web links of all of the charities that we support listed on all four of our websites and have detailed updates regularly published in our Sustainability & Outreach Manifesto.

4. Sponsorship of Local Events:

   Sponsor local community events, charity runs, or fundraisers. This can increase your business's visibility while supporting charitable causes that matter to your community.

   • This is a brilliant way to get involved, we have supported local events such as Home-Start Guildford’s Charity ball by providing not only financial help but providing them with a DJ for their annual ball. Home-Start Guildford is a local community network of trained volunteers with expert support, helping vulnerable families with young children who are dealing with challenges such as disability, sickness, isolation, mental health, domestic abuse, multiple births, and difficult relationships. Visit their website now to find out how you can volunteer.

5. Donation Drives:

   Organise donation drives within your company. Collect items such as clothing, food, or school supplies to donate to local charities or communities in need.

   • Through an initiative just like this, we were able to provide students in Kenya with a gift bag for Christmas. Each gift included Crocs, socks, boxers or pants (plus tops for the girls), lotion, deodorant, Vaseline, cookies, and a lollipop. Though it may seem a bit too ordinary for a Christmas gift to many, it was the perfect gift as these were items that these children and teenagers needed. In January 2022, BGG started to directly support Start Small, a UK-based charity working in Nakuru, Kenya. This charity strives to educate at-risk or poverty-stricken youth, empowering and changing whole communities through a school sponsorship program and access to safe housing. Visit their website now and find out how you can support them.

6. In-Kind Donations

   Contribute goods or services that your business provides. This could include donating excess inventory, offering pro bono services, or providing a venue for charity events.

7. Employee Giving Programmes:

   Implement workplace giving programmes where employees can choose to contribute a portion of their salary to a charity. Some businesses may choose to match employee donations, amplifying the impact.

8. Flexible Workplace Policies:

   Implement flexible workplace policies that allow employees to take time off for volunteering or participating in charity events without negatively impacting their work.

Remember, the impact of supporting charities goes beyond monetary contributions. By using your business's unique resources, skills, and influence, you can make a meaningful difference in your community and contribute to positive social change.