How Small Businesses Can Light Up on International Philanthropy Day

This Mon, Feb 28th is International Corporate Philanthropy Day (ICPD) organized by the CECP, Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy. The purpose of CECP is to help recognize the important role of business in society, and while its membership is offered to large corporations engaging in both local and global philanthropy, small businesses can take example and ideas from this organization for their own philanthropic initiatives.

LIGHT IT UP- TOLL THE BELL
The Empire State building and other tall buildings and landmarks across the country will be lit in the blue and green colors of  CECP on ICPD, and representatives of CECP will ring the bell at the New York Stock Exchange.

Why not have any company or business organization in any community toll a bell, put up blue and green lights, and honor International Corporate Philanthropy Day!


INNOVATIVE, INSPIRATIONAL IDEAS FOR CORPORATE PHILANTHROPY

While the membership of CECP  consists of large corporations and their corporate giving programs such as: General Mills, Intel, Western Union and many others, the goals of CECP is to have these companies set an example for others. The tradition of inspiring others to give began  when Paul Newman founded the fledgling enterprise Newman's Own. As his company grew so did the charitable giving, involving a number of other companies that participated in Newman's Own's projects.

Eventually in 1988, Paul Newman started CECP with the goal and mission, as stated on their site: " to inspire and challenge today’s business leaders to find innovative ways to fulfill unmet social needs, to lead the way towards better alignment of business and social strategies, and to serve as business ambassadors of inspiring business leaders".

There is just as many examples of the philanthropy and giving of small companies in local communities and examples of innovation that are solving local social needs, as there are of large corporations. It has been our mission  here at Business That Cares, to highlight the best of them.


OPPORTUNITIES

There are many opportunities and suggestions for companies to take advantage of on International Corporate Philanthropy Day on CECP's site. These suggestion's are equally suitable for both large and small companies.

• Join peers in your community for collaborative philanthropic activities.
• Tell your company's story about your philanthropic initiatives, by publicising and communicating  with the public.
• Post your company's support of causes on your website or through social media.
• Display banners or posters of the charities that you give to at your business.
• Recognize your employees that have volunteered for a cause.
• Engage your entire company in a planning session for your philanthropic programs.
• Set up a grant program for non profits to apply to.
• Plan a charity fair in your community. 

In addition, ICPD can be a great day to have your business employees volunteer for a worthy cause, whether it is local or a more global one. 

For more ideas for innovative ideas for business philanthropy check out some of these posts:

Can Your Business Give Back and Do Social Good?
Giving Bears, Kids and Heroes 
Charitable Designs