Charities Trust In Business

CHARITY doesn’t necessarily begin at home – for some people it started and continues as an integral part of their daily business lives.

David Taylor’s Naked Leader week of 24^th October explained how companies such as Coutts have helped The Prince’s Trust – for whom David is an ambassador – by running Leadership events on one of their company premises. He offered up a thank you to all companies who, either directly or indirectly, assist worthwhile causes.

An excellent example comes from one of our associates Michael Bungay Stanier of a business named Box of Crayons (www.boxofcrayons.biz). He has already made a massive impression worldwide as one of 64 people who wrote a book named End Malaria.

‘It’s not about malaria,’ he explains. “It’s a collection of thought leaders writing around the topic of doing ‘great work’. Most importantly, 80% of the money from the hard copy version and 100% from the Kindle version, goes to ‘Malaria No More’ to buy mosquito nets in Africa. We launched it a little more than two months ago and have already raised $300,000. As it’s coming towards Christmas and the holidays, we’re doing another push to encourage people to buy a copy for a friend/team mate/client.’

Our thanks to Michael for allowing us to spread the word. You can see some further details about the book (including the contributors and the rather excellent book trailer) here www.boxofcrayons.biz/end-malaria-launch.

Meanwhile, insurance giant Allianz has Help The Hospices as its chosen partner, supporting hospice care throughout the UK.

As well as raising in excess of £250,000 since the partnership was formed in July 2009, the company began to provide training and development courses for Help the Hospices staff and management. Personnel at Help the Hospices were identified and invited to join courses, which are usually delivered as part of Allianz’s Leadership and Development Programme, including, Developing Personal Power, Project Management, Speaking with Impact, Train the Trainer and Coaching Skills. Many divisions within Allianz also support the likes of Chance to Shine, Jubilee Sailing Trust and Touraid and, yes, the Prince’s Trust.

This kind of interaction is testament to the amazing work done by a glittering array of businesses who help communities in such a way. Many partnerships are designed to give the organisation financial support while giving their employees personal development and volunteering opportunities.

Marks & Spencer is another major contributor. In 1982, the company was a founding member of Business in the Community- set up to promote investment in regenerating local communities. It now donates unsold clothing, food and equipment to a host of charity partners including Shelter and Oxfam. The business also raises funds for a range of national partners covering environment, poverty and exclusion and health & wellbeing through a calendar of activities.

So, there is great work being done to help charities. If you are one those people/firms/organisations the plaudits belong to you.