If you have any question at all about the power of charitable giving, just consider this: #GivingTuesday, a global giving movement fueled by social media and online donation tools, was started on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving in 2012 by a single New York City nonprofit. In its seventh year, #GivingTuesday 2018 campaigns raised over $380 million online in the U.S. for over 60,000 participating charities across all 50 states. They went from zero to 60,000 charities and three hundred and eighty million dollars in seven years. That is what we at Apex call exponential growth.

Still, it is logical ask how giving away corporate resources makes good business sense.

Four Ways Charitable Giving Gives Back to Your Business

1. Increase employee engagement. Employee engagement is generally measured by the “See, Stay, Strive” metrics* Engaged employees SAY positive things about their employer to others, they STAY at their company for longer, and they feel motivated to STRIVE to give their best efforts to help their company succeed. An engaged employee is a more productive employee. Employees like to work for a company that gives back to their community. Charity events also give employees and clients to build rapport and build trust in a social setting, beyond the usual work-task conversations.
2. Raise awareness of your company through “owned” social media and “earned” media mentions. The media generally likes to cover businesses that give back to the community in some way. Press releases with photographs that tell an interesting story have a good chance of getting covered, and you can amplify those efforts with social media posts. Charities that you support can also give you exposure on their website, at events, or in newsletters. Good PR will elevate the awareness and credibility of your business in the community.
3. Building customer loyalty. Your charitable work can help you build stronger relationships with your existing customers as well as opportunities to meet with new potential customers. “People like to support local businesses that care about making their community a better place and that actively give back to the community,” commented Apex partner Lucas VanDeWoestyne. “Charity work shows our clients that we care about social responsibility.”
4. Tax benefits. Both individuals and corporations can deduct charitable donations from their taxable income, subject to certain limitations. Just be sure you are donating to a registered 501(c)(3) charity that is recognized as tax-exempt by the IRS and remember to get a receipt for your donation.

How Apex CPAs & Consultants Give Back to the Communities of St. Charles and Kane County

Apex managing partner Jim Chakires believes, “One of the great benefits of owning your own business is being in a position to give more generously to community causes than you could as an individual.” Under his leadership, Apex has organized an annual charity fundraiser for the past __10??__ years. After Chakires got involved with CASA Kane County as a member of the Chairman’s Advisory Panel, he saw a way he and Apex could make a difference. He started the Luggage of Love fundraiser in 2015 and it has grown each year, raising $15,000 in 2017 and aiming for $20,000 this year.

Anyone who sees the hit movie ‘Instant Family,’ which just came out in November, will be touched by the scene in which three siblings are moved to yet another foster home, carrying their belongings in black trash bags. When one little boy unpacks his bag, the first-time foster mom sees numerous stuffed bears and nothing else. ‘The kids get a bear each time we go to family court,’ the oldest child explains.

“Can you imagine being in that situation? With so few belongings to call your own, and you are given nothing more than a garbage bag to protect them. That is why I feel Luggage of Love is such a worthy cause” remarked Chakires. “By giving a child a permanent piece of luggage in which to keep their few precious belongings, we give them a booster shot of dignity and hope.”

Help Children in Foster Care: Donate to Luggage of Love

The Cause.

Luggage of Love provides suitcases filled with useful items for children who are entering or shifting homes within the foster care system. The suitcases are distributed by CASA Kane County, a Geneva-based nonprofit that trains and provides volunteer advocates who work for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the juvenile court and DCFS foster care system.

“We can’t thank Jim and Jessie enough, along with everyone who donates to the Luggage of Love campaign, for their generous outpouring of support,” said  Gloria Kelley , Executive Director of CASA Kane County. “These seemingly simple items are so meaningful to the children and really make them feel valued and loved. After what they have been through, their confidence and trust needs to be built back up. This is a great way to show them that there are people who care about them.”

How to Donate.

• Monetary donations can be made through our GoFundMe page.
• Donated items can be dropped off at our St. Charles office by 5 p.m. on Friday, December 14, 2018. Needed items (new purchases only) include: Rolling suitcases or duffel bags for children and teens, diaper bags for babies, diapers, pajamas, blankets, books, learning activities, toiletries, and gift cards from either Visa/MasterCard (which can be used anywhere), Target, or Jewel.
• All donations are 100 percent tax deductible.
• Our goal is to reach $20,000 in donations in order to provide 80 suitcases with an estimated “packed” value of $250 each.

Want to Make Sure You Are Getting All Possible Tax Deductions for Your Business?

Contact Apex CPAs & Consultants in our St. Charles office at 630.584.4555.