Today’s more socially conscious consumers are putting pressure on brands and corporations, holding them accountable for their environmental impact and stance on social issues. A 2018 report found that 64% of consumers are prepared to advocate, boycott, or avoid a brand depending on its social or political positioning. Continue reading to learn more about what to look for in potential partners, how to make the most of your collaboration, and how individuals can get involved with nonprofits.

How Working With Nonprofits Can Help Your Business 

So how can you demonstrate your company is socially responsible? One way to do this is by forming partnerships with nonprofits aligned with your brand values. Nonprofits are the boots-on-the-ground groups addressing essential issues across the nation. Many rely on corporate sponsorships to meet their fundraising goals, and these alliances allow both parties to expand their missions and effect more significant change. Unfortunately, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many nonprofit organizations have lost revenues and need our help more than ever.

At BuzzRx^®, our charity partnerships have allowed us to further improve the health of communities beyond helping people afford their prescriptions. For example, our donations have contributed to tackling food insecurity, finding loving homes for mistreated animal victims, raising awareness of kidney disease, and improving medical outcomes for critically ill children. Through these relationships, we’ve also built a stronger internal community of passionate employee advocates. Here are a few reasons why a business might consider a strategic partnership with a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization:

Grow Revenues

According to Nonprofit Source, companies led by purpose reported a compounded 9.85% annual growth (compared to just 2.4% for the whole S&P 500 Consumer Sector) over five years. Being more socially responsible helps attract customers with similar values, strengthening their emotional connection and loyalty to your brand—88% of consumers say they are more loyal to companies who support social and environmental initiatives. It’s important to align with a nonprofit partner related to your business category so that stakeholders can make an immediate connection. 

Improve Employee Engagement 

Companies must measure success beyond profit margins, like employee engagement and retention. For example, 88% of millennial employees (ages 23-38) find their jobs more fulfilling when given the opportunity to positively impact society and the environment. Nonprofit partnerships are the perfect opportunity to introduce volunteer days, employer-matched contributions, and other programs that engage employees and increase loyalty. It has been found that people who participated in corporate giving programs had 75% longer tenures with their companies.

Increase Brand-Building and Awareness

When a business unites with a nonprofit with a strong community presence, both organizations may be publicized for their alliance and experience shared growth. Also, launching a strategic cause-marketing campaign can raise awareness for the cause and benefit the corporation with media attention, increased sales, or other goals set before the campaign. The partnership may also introduce you to other corporate sponsors of the nonprofit, increasing your opportunity to do business.

Nonprofit collaboration can help strengthen a company’s sense of purpose, increase employee engagement and retention, and attract today’s socially conscious customers. If you’re considering introducing this idea to the decision-makers at your company, do your research on what organizations could benefit from what you have to offer. (Take note that some larger, national nonprofits may require an initial sponsorship fee for using their name brand, so that may play a role when narrowing down your list.) The goal is a long-lasting partnership that has a meaningful impact on both organizations. BuzzRx is proud to support our nonprofit partners year-round.

How Can I Personally Get Involved With a Nonprofit?

One of the most obvious ways to engage with a nonprofit is to become a volunteer. Each organization will have varying commitment levels and potential training sessions, but above all, you should volunteer for a cause you are passionate about.

Another option, if your skill sets are a match, is to apply for a board member or junior board member position. For example, I’ve been a member of the Make-A-Wish Arizona Board of Directors since May 2018, first serving as Treasurer and then more recently appointed Vice Board Chair. Being on the board of Make-A-Wish alongside CEOs, presidents, and other local executives in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area has been a privilege and enriching experience. So what does being on a nonprofit board entail?

Fundraising

One of our most significant duties as a board member is fundraising. I’m proud to share that through the BuzzRx free prescription discount card benefiting Make-A-Wish, we have raised over $200,000 to grant over 20 wishes in Arizona alone. Every time someone uses a card to save on a prescription, BuzzRx donates to the Make-A-Wish chapter nearest the pharmacy transaction. In our most recent Board Meeting, I was honored to receive an award on behalf of our company for the total national donations reaching over $5 million.

Bring Your Integrity

Another important aspect of being a board member is being active and showing up. It may sound easy, but it is a time commitment that should not be taken lightly. Board meetings usually happen twice a month, but problem-solving and fundraising are ongoing. It’s also important that you’re ready to engage and bring ideas to the table for a productive meeting. My board mentor shared a story that encompasses the best attitude and mentality for serving on a nonprofit board: A fellow board member and his wife would reply to any request or challenge with, “Yeah, we can do that, and we can do even more.” So I told my board mentor, I’m going to make that my attitude and mentality at Make-A-Wish Arizona—every time I’m asked to do something, to have the answer and mentality, “Yes, and more.”

Be a Brand Ambassador

As a board member, you are also serving as a brand ambassador. I like to promote the mission and importance of Make-A-Wish whenever appropriate/possible. If you join a board, make sure you know how to speak about the organization. For example, learn the approved language to communicate the core mission and brand values. Talking comfortably and passionately about the organization will help others understand and potentially want to get involved or even donate. 

There are many ways to help a nonprofit. Most organizations will welcome the assistance, whether it’s volunteering, proposing a cause marketing program to your company, or joining a nonprofit board or even junior board position. Positive results happen when like-minded, driven people come together to work towards a mission, and I’m incredibly proud to be working towards the goal of granting every eligible child’s wish through BuzzRx and the Make-A-Wish Arizona Board.