Supporting local organizations and small businesses is always good for the corporate soul. And you don’t have to wait for the next Small Business Saturday or Bank Transfer Day to join in. There are many ways for businesses to reach out, connect and give back to the community this holiday season. Here are a few of White Gazelle’s favs!
Give Gifts that keep on Giving
For the past 3 years, White Gazelle has been passing out ammado.com giving vouchers to friends, clients and colleagues. The giving circle feature of this global social platform shows how our collective, local giving can have global impact. Forging professional relationship through social activities that can recognize causes and the surrounding community, sets standards for other businesses to follow.
An ammado.com scenario:
- Reach Out: Giving Vouchers can be sent via email or cards with personalized messages.
- Connect: On ammado.com you can connect with and follow different causes from around the world.
- Give Back: Select one or a range of causes when redeeming the voucher. How you give back is up to you.
See it in action – http://www.whitegazelle.com/connect/giving-voucher/
Meet your Neighbors
Get to know and support the people and the businesses in your hood. White Gazelle donates time to the South Loop Neighbors to build social buzz about unique businesses, history and spaces hidden in Printer’s Row. Personal involvement strengthens community commitment, professional ties and can even spark new business opportunity locally.
A SLN scenario:
- Reach Out: South Loop Neighbors has a Facebook page to support and “like” community events.
- Connect: Fans can easily join in fun fundraising and social activities to meet new people.
- Give Back: Explore and support local venues. Or just help spread the word, by sharing posts with friends and colleagues.
Learn more about SLN “socializing” LoftWalk 2011 – http://www.whitegazelle.com/loft-walk-2011-unique-urban-spaces/
Through a Party!
Focus energy and support for a great cause with a gala. Everyone likes a party. White Gazelle helped plan and organize the 2009/10 StreetWise Gala with local businesses owners, celebrating StreetWise programs, sponsors and LEED life improvement graduates. Using parties to raise awareness and funds for a local cause helps everyone get into the giving mood and spirit.
A StreetWise scenario:
- Reach Out: The gala not only helped raise money for programs, but build awareness about StreetWise “educational” initiatives not commonly known.
- Connect: Businesses could network with liked-minded companies and philanthropic professionals in Chicago.
- Give Back: The event presented new ways for businesses to contribute to the organization, such as coaching and mentoring students.
Get Savvy with StreetWise – http://www.whitegazelle.com/savvy-with-streetwise-get-with-the-program-man/
