Some startups run the risk of dealing with a tunnel-vision problem. In other words, they become overly focused on internal happenings at companies and what’s necessary to help those firms become competitive. The startup landscape is extraordinarily challenging, and companies know how important it is to attract favourable attention right away. However, startups should not overlook charitable involvement as something that could help solidify their chances of future success.
It Could Help With Recruiting Efforts
All startups deal with the challenge of finding bright, talented, and motivated people to add to the team. If your startup becomes aligned with a charity, that decision could increase your chances of encountering prospective employees that may not otherwise know about your company.
Also, some of the characteristics of people who get involved with charities could also benefit your startup. For example, they tend to work hard while focusing on causes that are important to them, show a willingness to pitch in whenever and wherever needed and understand the importance of teamwork. All those traits could be essential for your startup, too.
Don’t forget that some people prefer to work for companies that give back. If it becomes apparent to the public that your startup cares about doing that, such a perception could make certain individuals more eager to apply for positions at your company or at least see what the firm is about.
You Can Show the Public What Matters to the Company
People often want to give their business to companies that fascinate them or at least support the values they hold. For example, if a person is a lifelong animal lover, they may specifically choose companies that don’t participate in animal testing.
Charitable giving allows your startup to demonstrate to the public what matters most to the brand and the workers employed at a startup. Then, consumers have ongoing opportunities to support your startup because the causes that matter to you are ones that they share. Perhaps one of the leaders at your company is a cancer survivor. Then, it makes sense for the company to get involved with a cancer research charity.
Charitable Giving Can Be Simple But Beneficial
Some startups initially think they can’t possibly get involved in charitable giving because doing so is too complicated, time-consuming, or costly. But, it doesn’t have to be, especially if your business already has some links with charities in the area. Checkout campaigns, where customers get asked if they want to donate a dollar to a specific cause, are straightforward and very effective. Research indicates that most people agree to give in those cases.
This type of giving back is also called point-of-sale cause marketing. It’s easier than you may think to find an aim that aligns with your business. For example, Petco, the pet goods brand, has a checkout campaign were people can give to various animal welfare organizations. When someone’s buying a bag of food for their dog, they can quickly think of animals that are not as fortunate as their pet, stimulating their desire to give.
Charitable Involvement Increases Visibility
Some successful business people use their resources to start community spaces to benefit others. One example is the real estate professional Neill Sullivan, and the Sullivan Community Space. It offers things like children’s activities, free martial arts classes, and movie screenings to community members in West Oakland, California. Your startup likely isn’t at a point where it could open a community space yet, but there are numerous other ways to become visible in a community.
Think of possibilities where you sponsor charitable events, participate in charity walks or runs, and volunteer at homeless shelters. All of those things make your startup’s name more prominent, and they help employees get involved.
Even if your startup doesn’t get heavily involved in charitable giving at first, there are plenty of ways to get started and make a difference. The ideas here could kickstart your imagination for what’s possible.