Business Giving – good for business and good for you! - Capital Area Food Bank of Texas Blog

Business Giving – good for business and good for you!

October 5th, 2012 § 0 comments

by Laurie Loew, founder of Give Realty

There is concerted effort to encourage business giving, via cash, in kind and volunteerism which is being headed up by Sly Majid at the Mayor Lee Leffingwell’s office along with Change My Town and Austin Gives, two organizations that promote business giving.

Capital Area Food Bank is a great example of an organization that can help a company put their workforce to work for good and any cash contributions/fundraising can go a long way to helping those with food insecurity in our community. I have personally visited the Food Bank on many occasions and it is clear that not only can the Food Bank use volunteers, but that the staff is also effective and efficient team who works together to give the best back to our community. One of the most amazing statistics is their ability to stretch a dollar and turn a $1 donation into $5 worth of food. It’s impressive to know a $10 cash donation can provide 25 nutritious meals to hungry Central Texans. As a business owner you can even recycle toner cartridges and cell phones through the Ink Out Hunger Campaign.

There are benefits for businesses being involved in their community the studies prove it. For every $1 given back to the community through cause marketing and corporate responsibility, an additional $6 is generated in revenue. Of course this takes time and commitment, but the return is great. Not only do businesses see business growth, but there is a new generation of employees who put a high value on corporate responsibility and are attracted to business with an impactful “social good” component. It also creates teamwork amongst employees outside of the office setting.

As an entrepreneur who has a strong giving component in my business, I have found the benefits to far outweigh the dollars given. Not only is it a differentiator for myself and my agents, it also attracts just the type of client I want to work with; clients who care about the community and want to make our world a better place. It also attracts the agents I want to represent my company – ones that put community and client before commissions.

As my business has grown, I’ve also realized how much I have changed personally due to giving. Giving has changed the trajectory of my life – literally. When Give Realty was started it was more as a marketing idea (Give Realty donates 25% of every commission earned to charity), yet it quickly became my life’s passion. Educating others about the benefits, both tangible and intangible is what keeps me going and making a check presentation with my client to a nonprofit is rewarding beyond words. Often I learn the client continues to donate and/or volunteer with the nonprofit they gave to and the reward continues.

It hasn’t been an easy road, but it has been exceptionally rewarding one. One that I encourage others to take – both personally and professionally.

Laurie Loew is the founder of Give Realty, a real estate brokerage which donates 25% of their commission to the nonprofit of their clients choosing. Give Realty has donated over $190,000 to 66 nonprofits and the Capital Area Food Bank has been the recipient of three donations.

Tagged Give Realty, Laurie Loew

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