I have worked with a number of charities - obviously in my previous role as a charity consultant and ongoing with training courses and on a voluntary basis.
Some relationships are very sophisticated, but it is true that larger companies will mostly support larger charities -mainly from the comfort factor of a known national name.
One of the companies I currently work with is taking a radical approach and moving away from supporting a large national charity and has set up their own foundation to support smaller local charities instead. The new foundation will be launched in january.
I feel there is a masive gap in the level of understanding, particulalrly between smaller charities and SME's. I'll probably ruffle a few feathers here, but why don't fundraisers (and I am one myself) think before they approach small local businesses asking for donations.The assumption is - Oh yes a local business should support us and it will be good publicity for them -and to a certain extent that is true -but a small business can't afford to support the 100's of deserving causes who all want help. So please be gracious if you are turned down.
At Go Green BAgs, given the nature of our business, and given my background, we do help where we can -but if we were to supply all the goodie bags we are asked for we would have no business. Simple as that. We are more than happy to offer charities a special rate - but small one's in particular want everything free.
I can see it clearly from both sides and think that businesses should work with charities -and time and advice can be a more valuable resource that charities often don't consider.
Finally (although could go on all night) I hold up a great example of charity working with business. Donaldson's School for the Deaf has recently moved to Linlithgow and plays an active part in the local business community, hosting meetings, showing groups round etc. and generally building a relationship. This is very much a change of approach since they were in Edinburgh and it will pay dividends. So don't always ask -work at the relationship
Anne