In each of us there is a desire to add significance to our lives. “It is more blessed to give than to receive” proves its veracity. As professionals and businesses turn towards their communities to give back, I often get the question: “How do I choose a cause that is right for me?”

In my opinion, your choice should reveal, once again, the essence of your Brand, your Brand’s DNA; to communicate the values that are true, relevant and unique to you and your organization.

Since your Brand is, in a sense, the heart of your business, the causes you choose to support will affect your Brand, confirming or contradicting it.

Here are 7  ideas that will help you choose the right cause for your Brand:

1. All causes need support, but some engage your heart. Make a list of the few that do.
2. Consider your Brand DNA; what are some of the qualities that you and your organization naturally express? If your business were to change to a nonprofit, what would be closest charity or cause your service would relate to?
3. Your background and your own life experiences often cause you to be more sensitive to certain causes. Make a note of the areas you feel you understand and have compassion for.
4. If you have children, they often participate in activities that need additional support of money and time. Investigate some of the activities that would enable you to support your child’s pursuits while making a difference for the community.
5. Your business serves a certain target audience. Is there a cause they generally support, that you too feel called to? Often times, your involvement with common  causes strengthens the relationships you have been building with your customers.
6. As you have answered some of these questions you probably came up with several names or areas of involvement you are considering. Begin to narrow things down by doing a little research. Search the internet for additional information about the few options you are considering. Call someone and get a real person to answer some questions for you. Meet them in person if possible. For financial support consider how the money is being used and make sure you are comfortable with it. After conversing with some people who represent the cause you are inquiring about, ask yourself whether you intuitively still feel attracted towards helping.
7. Make a decision to start supporting at least one cause in any way you can, for the next 3-6 months. At the end of the trial period take time to assess your progress and whether you feel more passionate about it or more indifferent. If you feel the cause is not a good fit, go back to the list and give someone else a chance. It is better for you to act, evaluate and make changes than to keep researching and do nothing.

Lastly, remember that anything good that you are offering is a SEED. Your seed will generate a harvest. Be intentional about the quality of the seed you are planting in the soil of your future.

At DREAMBOX CREATIVE, we  support several causes that move us. Shoulder To Shoulder prepares urban fatherless young men for life. Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community at a time. We offer 3 types of support: financial, discounted services, or services at no cost. We do so because we believe in what these organizations are doing and because it aligns with the DNA of our Brand. Our hope is that as we partner with and assist them, we play a part in restoring the dreams of the next generation of leaders.

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