Name Your Charity of Choice

There are over 85,000 registered charities in Canada plus at least as many local not for profits that will raise money for important, if not life saving activities. To some, it is important to give for personal reasons, such as I am afflicted, or I played that sport as a child. Sometimes giving is based on a thorough moral examination of values and over-arching belief systems or we sometimes give because we are put on the spot and it is easier to dig into our pockets and pocketbooks than to say, "no, not today, thanks".

It is a good caution to ensure your "contribution is used for charitable purposes, not fundraising and administration", as Francis Woolley, professor of economics at Carleton University points out in his article "How to make an informed choice for charity". But when you are in business, it is important to think about your charity of choice for these other reasons.

If you are a local business, support local initiatives, match your charity of choice to your customer's

interests. Limit your monetary support to fewer rather than more charities and donate your time as well as your money. Don't get involved because it will boost business, but understand that it will boost business. Turn away all competing requests for donations. All. Competing. Requests.

If you are a larger national or international organization, develop a "Cares" program through which all efforts will be funneled. Encourage team oriented activities and let the staff lead the program and enjoy getting involved - the company just cuts a check. Keep your engagement off your corporate website. Allow the selection of the charity of choice be made at a local level.

In either case, your charity of choice should resonate with you and your staff, should be one that you are comfortable sticking with for a number of years and should make you happy knowing that your efforts are helping others. Your charity of choice is a reflection of your company values and personalizes your organization. Don't be afraid to say, "Sorry, but that is not our company's charity of choice", because at the end of the day your charity dollars are too important to hand out on impulse or because of a slick fundraising campaign.