How to get Started
The Philanthropic Business Network can be used by anyone who provides
a service to others. It can be used to support any cause either in
your own neighborhood, across the ocean or both.
1) Choose a cause or causes that you can easily talk about, something
that resonates within. Having more than one cause creates a greater
chance, you will have a cause that resonates with your client.
2) Find out what organizations currently work for that cause and what
portion of money they receive actually get to the cause. Choose ones
for which your contribution will provide the biggest impact and make
the greatest difference.
3) Obtain written material to provide your clients with details of
your cause and how their money will be used.
4) Speak with your client. Explain that your intention to provide
excellent and invite them to reciprocate by writing a separate check
made out to that cause.
5) Give them a heartfelt thank you and receipt acknowledging their
donation. Ask the charity to forward to your client receipt of the
donation for tax records within a timely period.
6) Join the Philanthropic Business Network. It is free. Email us and
share your story, the cause to which you have contributed and the amount.
We will post your business and the charity to which you have contributed
on our web site. As a member, your business will have added exposure
and your efforts will gain credibility. Your cause will be promoted
and the amounts contributed listed for everyone to see that it is possible
to make a difference. Who knows, your efforts may inspire others. You
can literally start today by following these steps and adjusting the
way you conduct your business and begin making a world of difference.
For more information and guidelines for joining the Philanthropic Business
Network, click here.
Options for the Philanthropic Business model
Option #1
Inform the client that your company has adopted a philanthropic business
model with the intention of delivering above expected service to
benefit your cause. Deliver the service with the intention of giving
more than expected results. Ask the client at the end of the project
if they feel they got what they expected. If they say they got more
than what they expected invite them to express their gratitude by
donation to the cause of your choice. Have them write the check
directly to the cause – they contribute and they get the satisfaction
of contributing to a worthy cause and the tax deduction too.
Option #2
Factor into the cost of your product or service a percentage going
to the cause of your choice. Tell your clients at the time the proposal
is submitted that percentage will be designated to the cause and
will be paid using two checks – one to the business and the other
written out directly to the cause. Advise them that they will receive
a receipt (and a thank you) directly from the charity. Let them know
that you will deliver more than expected results and excellence to
more than offset this added factor and that this gesture of generosity
will be rewarded by money going to a cause of my choice.
Option #3
Just take option 2 to the next level by asking the client at the end
of the project whether they feel they got what they expected. If
they say “yes” then invite them to express their gratitude by increasing
their check that is already going to the charity by whatever dollar
amount they feel comfortable with. For me it was only a matter of
asking them after pointing out, if need be, the extra things that
were obviously done that were not originally included in my proposal
or contract.
As I mentioned in my story earlier I chose option one in how I approached
my clients for the first several weeks when I started – delivering
more than expected results and inviting them to donate at the end of
the project. However, within a month our of my intention to get consistent
results I began factoring 10% into every job with the same commitment
of giving more than expected results on every job. My clients have
responded very favorably to this change especially because they saw
the extra attention I’ve given to detail and extra work I have done
for them. Implementing the third option was a natural and meant only
asking a question at the end of the project – do you feel you got what
you expected? If they answered yes – I ask them to consider increasing
the check that’s already going to the cause as an expression of their
gratitude. Often my clients have added an amount, several have doubled
the donations – feeling good about receiving the added value I gave
and about giving to a cause where their contributions will make a difference.
Do you have any questions or comments? Send an email by clicking
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