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Creating a Corporate Social Responsibility Program

On June 28, 2022

Introduction

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs are designed to address a company’s social and environmental impact on the community where it is based. It can be an enormous challenge for companies to create CSR programs that contribute to the community while at the same time highlighting corporate strengths. In addition, many businesses aren’t even sure where to begin with creating their CSR program.

Steps for building a corporate social responsibility program

A solid corporate social responsibility program improves company image on all levels. Here are some common-sense steps for building a successful program.

Research thoroughly
Research thoroughly before you make any decisions. Consider your goals, target audience, and budget. Also, think about how you want people to respond when they see your brand, what kind of tone and language will be used in company communications, and whether there are any public events that you could use to engage with your intended audience.

Build support internally and externally
Develop an internal champion: Develop a strategic plan to build support internally and externally. Before starting, appoint someone to be the internal champion for your effort. Their job is to rally internal resources to move the project forward. This person should influence your organization’s key areas, such as communications and human resources, to ensure that people know what you are doing and why it’s crucial.

Develop an approach
Establish a dedicated team or program manager and assign them to the project. Before you begin, make sure that any other programs in your company that deal with social responsibility or public relations are aware of the CSR program.

Execute a clear strategy
Execute a clear strategy (internal and external) for your corporate social responsibility program. This will involve figuring out how you can identify opportunities to make a difference in your business and also how you can set up ways of measuring success.

Ensure sustainability
To ensure sustainability, it is vital to consider the essential functions and activities of the program and how they will be structured over time. This includes deciding on how to support, measure, and communicate success. Being clear about your values and vision; monitoring changes in the business environment so you can adapt to them; communicating with stakeholders; measuring results; building capacity across the organization to engage in program activities; evaluating outcomes; and determining whether there is room for improvement.

Measure impact
Measure impact by monitoring the organization’s performance in critical areas, including employee morale, productivity, customer satisfaction and retention, and suppliers’ satisfaction.

Communicate results
When communication is included in your program, it helps clarify goals, communicate successes and failures, and provide feedback loops. This is true for all employees, but especially those responsible for driving social responsibility efforts.

Conclusion

Corporate social responsibility programs have become increasingly prevalent among large corporations in the past few decades, but smaller companies have been left behind. Unfortunately, these smaller brands and start-ups have more to gain from a strong CSR program. Creating and implementing a CSR program isn’t difficult and could reap significant rewards if they are done right.

Finding Valuable Partnerships For Your Nonprofit

By Jerry Swon

On June 2, 2022

In Blog, Community

Finding the right partnerships can be crucial to your success if you’re a nonprofit organization. Partnerships can provide much-needed resources, funding, and support for your organization. But not all associations are created equal – it’s essential to find and nurture relationships that are truly valuable for both organizations involved. Here is how to find and cultivate beneficial partnerships for nonprofits.

First, start by identifying what the organization needs. Whether it’s volunteers, funding, or expertise, knowing the need will help narrow the search for potential partners. Then look for other organizations that share the mission. These organizations may be able to provide financial assistance, in-kind donations, or other forms of support. They may also be willing to collaborate on joint projects or events. If one is unsure where to start, they can try reaching out to your local Chamber of Commerce or business association. These groups can put one in touch with businesses and organizations that might be a good fit for partnership opportunities.

Another way to find potential partners is through online research. Many websites and databases list companies and organizations by industry, size, location, and other criteria. It can help one narrow down their search to find organizations that are more likely to be interested in partnering with their nonprofit.

Once one has identified potential partners, the next step is to reach out and start building relationships. It can be through informal communication such as phone calls or emails or more formal methods like attending events or meetings. When communicating with potential partners, emphasize how the organization can benefit them and the resources they have to offer. Partnerships should be mutually beneficial – if one organization is getting all the benefits, it’s not likely to last long. There should also be mutual respect where each partner should feel valued and appreciated for what they bring to the table.

Finding and cultivating valuable partnerships can be crucial to the success of a nonprofit organization. It takes time and effort, but it can be an advantageous experience for both organizations involved. By taking the time to find and nurture relationships with other organizations that share your mission, you can set your nonprofit up for success now and in the future.

Why Your Company Should Sponsor a Youth Sports Team

By Jerry Swon

On April 27, 2022

In Blog, Community

Youth sports are a great way to get a company’s name, reach a specific demographic, and foster positive relationships with customers, employees, and community members.

Sponsoring a team can also be a fun way to better know their employees and customers and give them a sense of purpose and camaraderie.

Reasons to support a youth sports team

Sponsorships can help companies reach their target market: By sponsoring a youth sports team, they can tap into the lives of many people who frequently interact with their company. These people include employees, customers, and community members. Sponsoring a team can help them reach their target market and promote their brand.

To foster a more inclusive culture: A sports team can help build an inclusive culture by bringing together a wide range of people. Sports teams often include people of diverse backgrounds and provide a common ground for people of different genders, races, religions, or sexual orientations to come together.

To help build strong workplace relationships: When employees and customers see companies brand featured on the sports gear of their local team, they’re sending a message that their company is invested in the community and cares about the wellbeing of its employees and customers.

A sponsorship relationship with a youth sports team can have a lasting impact: Research has shown that the longer a business partner stays with a company, the more likely the partner will acquire the company. This means that a sports team sponsorship can have a lasting impact on the company by helping to build the business’s culture and brand.

Increased Name Recognition: When a company sponsors a youth sports team, they associate their company’s name with a particular sport and the athletes who participate in it. This can give the company a more professional image and strengthen its reputation as a trustworthy business.

Increased Brand Awareness: When a company sponsors a sports team, they’re also growing their organization’s visibility on local sports broadcasts and websites, which can help increase brand awareness.

Improved Employee Morale: When employees see their favorite sports team wearing their company’s logo on the jersey, they will feel more comfortable discussing their job with their colleagues. This can increase employee morale and retention.

Greater Customer Loyalty: When companies sponsor a sports team, they connect with their customers and build brand loyalty. This can increase the sales of their products and services.

Conclusion

When companies sponsor a sports team, they associate the company’s name with a particular sport and the athletes who participate in it. This can give the company a more professional image and strengthen its reputation as a trustworthy business.

Making a large donation to a youth sports team is a great way to get its name out there for free and help build a company’s reputation.

Top Disability Organizations in New Jersey

By Jerry Swon

On March 30, 2022

In Blog, Community

Many organizations in New Jersey provide advocacy and support for people with disabilities. Whether you are looking for resources and information or need someone to help you navigate the system, an organization can help. This article will list some of the top disability organizations in New Jersey. We encourage you to check them out and see which one is best suited for your needs!

The Arc of Atlantic County is an organization that works with staff, families, and caregivers to help people with disabilities reach their full potential. This organization provides opportunities for individuals to socialize, create friendships and learn new skills. They also work to establish disability-related services in the Community.

Coalition for Disabled Students Achieving and Living in the Community, or CDSALIC, is a nonprofit organization that advocates for individuals with disabilities to receive their rights and privileges. This organization works to help each individual develop and realize their goals in regards to independence and community integration.

The Arc of Hunterdon County is a nonprofit organization that promotes and protects the rights of people with disabilities. They provide support and services to families, professionals, and individuals with disabilities to help them achieve their full potential.

Disability Rights New Jersey is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to protect and enforce the rights of people with disabilities. They represent individuals with disabilities in administrative hearings, court cases, legislative challenges, and appeals.

New Jersey Centers for Children With Special Needs offers support services to children with disabilities and their families in New Jersey. They provide support to children with developmental disabilities, autism, mental health issues, and various physical disabilities.

New Jersey Parents Center is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to increase the number of effective parents within the special education system. They support parents of children with disabilities by offering counseling, workshops, and a resource center.

Parents as Teachers is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide support and education for families with young children who have special needs or developmental delays. They provide family consultations, parent groups, and online resources that help families raise their children.

Helping the Homeless in the Winter

By Jerry Swon

On February 23, 2022

In Blog, Community, Volunteer

Most people associate winter with Christmas gatherings and cozy nights at home with loved ones. While this is a reality for most people, millions of homeless people spend the long, brutal nights of the winter on the streets. In the wintertime, the homeless face obstacles other than extreme cold. Studies show that many homeless people feel even more alienated as they watch the rest of the world pass them by during the holiday season. Here are some things that the average person can do to make things better for the homeless population during the winter.

Donate Food

Donating food to homeless shelters is one of the easiest ways to help people living on the streets. Shelters everywhere are always looking for donations of canned food and other non-perishable items, such as noodles and bread. Shelters also accept leftover food. Organizations like Rescuing Leftover Cuisine regularly distribute leftovers from restaurants and catered events to shelters and food pantries.

Donate Clothing Items

Another way to help the homeless is to donate warm clothes to shelters. Although it might seem natural to throw out outdated coats and jackets, homeless people will gladly accept any type of apparel even if it is out of the current fashion sense. Shelters also regularly ask for donations of socks and blankets in the winter months.

Organize a Charity Drive

Organizing a charity drive is another way to help the homeless. Charity drives can include anyone, from co-workers, church groups, and even friends on social media. When organizing a charity drive, it is important to remember that local shelters might have different needs. While drives mostly collect items like toys and food, it is beneficial to contact shelters in the area to determine what items can make the biggest impact at the current moment.

Purchase Items from Philanthropic Businesses

Another easy way to assist the homeless is to shop at philanthropic organizations. These organizations donate a portion of their profits directly to shelters and other charitable organizations. A simple way to purchase items from a philanthropic business is to shop online using Amazon Smile.

Seek Help from Local Organizations

If a homeless person is in serious distress, it is important to contact local services to assist the individual in getting the necessary help. Contacting 311 is the simplest way of getting in contact with local organizations that can help the homeless on cold nights. Many areas even have organizations that assist specific groups, such as runaway kids and veterans.

4 Fundraising Trends That Will Be Important in 2022 and Beyond

By Jerry Swon

On January 31, 2022

In Blog, Community, Volunteer

In the last decade, fundraising has gone through a major shift. With access to technology and different money distribution methods, fundraising is now more streamlined and effective than it has ever been before. Here are four trends that will be relevant in 2022 and beyond.

There will be More Flexible Giving Options

In the last decade, there has been a significant shift in the ways people make donations. It is now easier than ever to raise money for a cause with online fundraising platforms and crowdfunding platforms. For example, you can give money through direct deposit into a charity’s bank account, or you can send out an online request for donations via social media. In 2022, there will be more options for giving as technology continues to advance and change the way people donate their money.

Technology will Advance the Giving Experiences

In the past, fundraising was largely performed by hand. Fundraisers would have to go to the bank and deposit checks and write letters all by themselves. Now, however, technology has advanced significantly. Using online platforms and fundraising tools has made it much easier for fundraisers to get their message out and raise money for their cause. This will be especially important in 2022 as more people are turning to technology when looking for ways to donate money.

Social Media is Going Mainstream

Since 2006, social media has become a mainstream form of communication. Today we can communicate with friends, family members, coworkers, and others through Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media sites on our smartphones or desktop computers at any time of the day. As this communication becomes more and more regular, it will become more and more critical to fundraising on social media.

Recurring Giving will be the Order of the Day

It was common for people to give a one-time donation to a charity or cause in the past. This was often because people had a specific event coming up, such as the Super Bowl or their child’s birthday party. However, recurring donations will be more important than one-time donations in the future. As technology advances and evolves, there will be even more ways of collecting money from donors regularly. The ability to have recurring donations will make it easier for charities and causes to raise money because they can collect money every month without asking donors for money every time.

Conclusion

The future is bright for fundraising. Technology has made it easier for fundraisers to raise money for their cause, and donors can easily donate money via various methods. The advancements in technology will make it even easier for charities to raise funds in the future.

Volunteer Ideas This Holiday Season

By Jerry Swon

On November 24, 2021

In Blog, Community, Volunteer

The holiday season is a great time for a person to volunteer for the first time. Volunteering can make one feel good, and it can make a difference in one’s community. There are many opportunities for volunteering during the holiday season, and each person can find an opportunity that feels right for them.

Consider Making Cards to Pass Out:

Those who enjoy working with paper and creating crafts can work on putting together special holiday cards. The cards can then be given out to lonely neighbors, those in the hospital, or those who are making a difference in one’s community. Anyone who receives a homemade holiday card will feel special.

Spend Time with Residents in Assisted Living Facilities:

There are people who are living in homes that do not receive a lot of visitors and who can spend the holiday season longing for some company. Those who have the time should consider going to an assisted living facility to spend time with the residents there.

Give to Those Working at the Hospital:

Those who spend long hours working in the hospital during the holiday season will appreciate being remembered. One might put together a gift basket to present to the nurses at a local hospital.

Give to Those Working at the Fire and Police Departments:

Those who work at the fire and police department often have to give of their time during the holidays, missing out on family activities. Volunteers can present such people with baked goods and other gifts that help them know that they are remembered.

Shop for Children Who Won’t Otherwise Receive Gifts:

There are children who have parents in the prison system who will not receive gifts unless a volunteer buys them for them. There are also children living in poverty who would love to receive gifts. Volunteers can get involved with a variety of charities to shop for gifts for children who will not receive anything if strangers do not step in.

There are Many Holiday Volunteer Opportunities:

Each person can find a holiday volunteer opportunity that appeals to them and that fits with their strengths. When someone gives during the holiday season, they will feel good about what they are doing and the lives they are touching.

Top 4 First Responder Charities

By Jerry Swon

On November 3, 2021

In Blog, Community

Knowing which charity to donate to in response to a tragedy is always difficult. After all, the needs of these organizations are often different, and it can be hard to figure out what will make the most impact on your donation. But if you want your donations to go towards first responders, some excellent choices should be considered on this list of top 4 first responder charities.

1) The Red Cross

The American National Red Cross is the perfect place to donate if your money goes directly towards relief efforts. They are already on-site in disaster areas and have a long history of providing medical care for people who need it most, including first responders. In addition, they have a special fund to help first responders who need support in the wake of national disasters.

The Red Cross is also one of the most efficient organizations when it comes to their finances and spending, which means that you can be sure your donation will go towards helping others as quickly as possible. While their services are available for anyone affected by the tragedy, you can be sure that your donation will go towards helping first responders.

2) The National Police Defense Foundation

The mission of the NPDF is to provide support for police officers working in dangerous conditions, including during natural disasters. They pay out all their costs through donations, so you can be sure that your donation will go towards helping these first responders.

3) The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation

This foundation exists to honor the bravery and sacrifice of all firefighters who have lost their lives in service. They offer financial support, scholarships, and training for those affected by the tragedy, as well as a scholarship fund available exclusively to first responders looking to make a career change or re-enter the workforce after an injury has pushed them out of their previous career.

4) The EOD Warrior Foundation

Support the brave men and women who work as Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) officers. This charity works to support those affected by PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and other psychological trauma related to their line of work. They also provide financial assistance for immediate family members of first responders killed in action or severely injured.

The EOD Warrior Foundation also works to provide support for those injured in the line of duty and need a new start. They offer scholarships, loans, job training programs, and an employment service that pairs wounded vets with companies hiring veterans. This foundation is one of the best places to donate if you want your money to go directly towards helping first responders.

How to Make Philanthropy a Habit for the Next Generation

By Jerry Swon

On August 25, 2021

In Blog, Volunteer

It can be very challenging to teach children about the importance of giving back. Philanthropy is such an essential part of human culture and history, but it often doesn’t come naturally for young children. The concept of philanthropy is so complex and abstract that it’s hard to make it relevant for children. Effective philanthropy can be a life-long habit that positively shapes people’s view of the world and creates a sense of fulfillment. Here are some tips to get your kids ready for philanthropic success:

-Start them off as soon as they are capable of understanding. It is never too early to instill values in your child.

-Teach them about different charitable causes from an early age so that they understand the needs around the world. They will not feel overwhelmed or lost when confronted with options later in life.

-Encourage them to donate their time, money, clothes, toys, and other goods. This way, they can see firsthand that giving back doesn’t always mean monetary donation. If they want new toys, encourage them to donate their old toys instead of throwing them away.

-Hold family meetings to discuss your charitable endeavors and ask the children what they want to do.

-Find opportunities for them to volunteer with local organizations. These experiences will teach your child that giving back doesn’t always have to involve money, and it will help them understand that many people need their assistance.

-Introduce them to other philanthropists when they are young so that they can see how their generosity affects others’ lives. This will increase the likelihood that they too will choose to give back as an adult.

-Teach them the value of giving appropriately. It is crucial to teach young people how and when to give to others in need, as well as some of the common pitfalls such as scams and frauds.

Most importantly, be sure that you are a generous person yourself so that they see philanthropy as part of their everyday life. This will ensure that they understand the importance of giving back and will instill values in them that last for a lifetime.

Not everyone is born to be a philanthropist. It takes time and dedication to learn about the world’s needs and how to help. However, these suggestions will get your children ready for any charitable endeavors that they might encounter in their own lives.

Back To School Fundraising Ideas for 2021

By Jerry Swon

On August 5, 2021

In Blog, Community

School is just around the corner, and you may be looking for some fundraising ideas to help your school. Fortunately, there are all sorts of different options available that can bring in a lot of money. Here are some of the best 2021 back-to-school fundraising ideas that you can utilize.

Bake Sale

Baked goods are cheap to make, and schools can use this to their advantage by having a bake sale. Schools usually don’t have to pay any money for supplies because most parents often don’t mind donating baked goods for the school to sell as part of a fundraiser. Bake sales are a fairly easy fundraiser to host as they don’t require a lot of work.

Parent’s Night Out

Almost all parents need a break, but they might not get out all that often because they don’t have a babysitter. Schools can help parents by offering a night where they can drop off their children at their child’s school for several hours for a small fee. Parents, teachers, and staff can keep the children entertained by playing games, doing art projects, or watching movies.

Talent Show

Many kids have talents that they’d love to show off to their parents, teachers, and friends. For schools that are looking for a fundraiser that will allow their students to be involved, a talent show is a great option. The school can charge for tickets to see the show, and they can even sell concessions during intermission or after the show as well.

Penny Drive

A lot of us have quite a few pennies lying around that we never plan on using. They can go to good use if a school decides to host a penny drive. How it works is that parents and students donate pennies to the school as part of a fundraiser. These pennies can add up if everyone gets involved.

If you are looking for a back-to-school fundraiser, there are all sorts of ideas that you can utilize. These fundraisers can be used to raise money for things like dances, field trips, and new equipment for the school. They also are a great way to get everyone involved in something that they can feel good about.