Benevolent Business - How Charitable Donations Can Contribute to Financial Success
Invention Development Advice - Marketing
A recent business trend called "benevolent marketing" makes charitable giving an integral part of the business process. Some businesses implement this by making a fixed donation amount per purchase, while others offer products specifically geared towards fund raising campaigns for non-profits.
by StephenDaniels


A recent business trend called "benevolent marketing" makes charitable giving an integral part of the business process. Some businesses implement this by making a fixed donation amount per purchase, while others offer products specifically geared towards fund raising campaigns for non-profits.

A consistently beneficial result of benevolent marketing is capturing the mind share of the consumer -- a major goal in marketing today. All efforts toward recognition and buyer response are based on a positive reaction to promotional material and contact. With a business model that goes beyond the product offering, many businesses increase their top line by sharing their bottom line. This can be exclusive to their locale by giving to the local community.

Some businesses choose a specific charity for all their contributions. Others allow the buyer to select which of a number of charities will receive the donation. There are businesses that have grown by making their product available as a fund raising offering, and they donate an additional portion to charitable causes. This model means that the consumer has an extra reason to buy a particular product beyond the product itself.

Some Internet entrepreneurs have found that they could increase their business and feel better about their enterprise by using a benevolent business model. As Internet companies usually have lower overhead, it is not difficult to include giving as part of the structure. Some business owners feel that their business has grown and prospered in large part because of the benevolent marketing piece. Rather than attributing this directly to consumer response, these entrepreneurs feel that the attitude reflected by making the donations improved every aspect of their approach. Having a goal beyond their own profits increased their motivation to succeed.

Traditional brick and mortar companies have found that a benevolent component will assist in their corporate imaging from a non-marketing standpoint. In this era of bailouts and government involvement, there is an evolving perception that profit is bad. Utilizing a charitable outlet for a portion of the profits will enhance the sensitivity of the corporate representation in the community, offering a valid and tangible aspect of the specific business to overcome the recurring broader image of corporate negativity.

It is this overall positive aspect of benevolent marketing that resonates with the community, attracting more customers to your business. In many cases, the consumer will be making the purchase regardless of other factors. Given the chance to contribute to something positive while still getting the product or service they seek has drawn the consumer to those companies that share their proceeds. The competitive edge offered by a better sense of well being for the buyer is what makes this approach successful.

There are many ways to incorporate a benevolent approach to doing business. Done correctly, it will make the consumer feel good about doing business with your company or organization. It can also serve to create an internal environment with a positive sense of success based on contributing to the community at large.

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