Engaging with charities

If a company wants to improve its corporate social responsibility, then one of the best places to start is to support local or national charities. Businesses can get involved with charities in a number of ways and build a mutually beneficial relationship to help demonstrate commitment to issues that are very important to the local community.

Fundraising at work can boost staff morale because it’s fun and helps everyone feel good about helping a worthwhile cause.  Employees often start by organising a work bake sale, having a dress down Friday, or taking a collecting tin for reception. 

Businesses can also choose to support a charity for more than just one off events by talking to them about a long term partnership such as Charity of the Year.  Although many businesses are finding that better results come from working as partners with a charity for longer than a year.

The SMA Trust, based in Atherstone on Stour in Warwickshire, is the only UK charity solely dedicated to funding medical research to find treatments and a cure for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA).  SMA is an inherited neuromuscular condition which is currently incurable and untreatable.  More babies die from Type 1 SMA than any other genetic condition in the UK today. It has worked with various businesses over the years and would recommend Warwickshire businesses to work with charities as it provides many shared benefits. 

Ginny Cullen, Corporate Fundraiser at The SMA Trust, says: "Charities can help you with your team building needs.  Why not take on a challenge event either as an individual or as a team?  Many charities will have a range of events such as trekking abroad, night cycle rides or moonlight walks closer to home.” 

Visit www.smatrust.org/get-involved/fundraising/corporate-support or email Ginny Cullen ginny@smatrust.org or call 01789 801155 if you and your company would like to get involved with The SMA Trust.