Volume 4, Issue 8
Giving back to a cause that is important to you, or to the core values of your business is a great way to maintain your position in your community. With over 8,000 non-profit organizations registered as a 501c3 in the state of Rhode Island, you’ve got your choice of important, and committed organizations to support. As you read our second annual RISBJ issue featuring non-profit organizations in our state, we hope you enjoy learning more about some of the important work that is being done here in Rhode Island.
Non-profit organizations employ more than 18% of people in Rhode Island. Supporting a local non-profit organization means not only supporting their cause, but also supporting non-profit economic growth. I don’t know about you, but I like the idea of encouraging more people to “do good” in our state. Supporting these mission driven locales in the form of in-kind donations, volunteering, joining a non-profit board, or helping them to promote their work through your channels is a great way to help.
Depending on the size of the organization, they may rely entirely on their in-kind network to help them broaden their reach. Consider what your business might be able to do to supplement a non-profits needs. Most often, as with most of our businesses, it comes back to how much money they can bring in. Their mission delivery is not free. It costs money to fund their strategic plans, and organizations work diligently to create their annual goals based on the work they hope to achieve. That being said, whenever possible, they need you to help them to fundraise.
As a local business owner, you have a great opportunity to help them to do this. Your reach likely expands to a network of people that organizations may not be able to reach themselves. Consider taking the time to learn about how the organization you’re supporting raises money. Can you help? How? Set a plan, set a goal, and set a stretch goal. They’ll thank you for your support, and you’ll be making a tremendous impact on your local community and improving the quality of life of others.
Gil Lantini
