Give and You Shall Receive

Everyone in business receives requests for donations, especially in this economic climate. But I challenge you to look at requests for donations in a different way.

What if you could actually help organizations and build your business at the same time? It’d be the classic win-win situation. Well, it is possible. It is a regular part of our business at Glacier Homemade Ice Cream & Gelato.

Not only do we have the best ice cream in the world, but we are a local business that gives to our community. We are asked to donate to various organizations an average of five times a week. Obviously, we cannot accommodate all of the requests. We have, however, instituted a system that is workable and fair.

Here are our donation guidelines:

• We only donate to children’s organizations and University of Colorado groups (one of our stores is next to the university).
• We donate (4) $5 gift cards for silent auctions.
• We donate free kid’s coupons for school non-profit events.
• All requests have to go through our website. No phone calls, letters, or dropped-off information.
• We will sometimes donate ice cream to events at the beginning of the school year and at the start of the spring season.
• We refuse all donations that don’t fit our guidelines with a personal and polite explanation.
• We donate free coloring books to schools. The coloring books feature our Glacier Bear doing activities at different glaciers around the world.

It is important to give back to the community that supports you. Not only will people appreciate it, but they will stay loyal to your business as long as you also continue to provide quality products.

There can be business benefits to your charitable donations as well. Below are the business benefits for the Glacier Homemade Ice Cream & Gelato donation program:

• Donations are a tax deduction.
• People form an emotional attachment with your company when they see you giving to the community.
• The organizations we donate to usually put Glacier’s name in print and mention us in advertisements. We benefit from free advertising.
• The coloring books we donate create awareness of the Glacier brand.
• When donation recipients pass out coupons for us, it becomes a great low cost marketing strategy.
• Children come in with their families to redeem their free ice cream coupon.
• Our coupons and gift cards expose new customers to our stores and our brand.
• The busy company president does not have to deal with constant phone calls and mailed letters. Our policies are clear and our employees know our guidelines and communicate them to donation solicitors.

A clear and generous donation program is a fantastic way to distinguish your company from your competition. Implement one, and you will discover the immense benefits of combining charitable donations with creative marketing.