If you’ve decided it’s time for your company to get involved in philanthropy, you’re already on the correct path towards charitable giving. However, many businesses have a desire to donate to charities but do not know where to start. This can hold many businesses back from taking this step forward. Choosing a charity for your company to donate to does not have to be a strenuous decision, though. There is a multitude of ways for you to narrow down your options and choose one or two organizations to become involved with.

Does It Align With Your Values?

Ultimately, the most critical factor when choosing a charity to donate to is whether or not it aligns with your company’s values. In most cases, charities have a common goal of helping the less fortunate. However, each organization does have a slightly different mission and way of getting things done.

Begin doing some research to see if there are any charities directly involved with your industry. For example, restaurants could donate to food banks or similar organizations. Secondly, you can read their mission statements and narrow down why you would specifically want to partner with them. Your business’s consumers will want to know where their dollars are going as well, so make sure you have a reasonable explanation for why you chose a specific charity.

What Results Has It Produced?

When donating to a charity, your company should also ensure that the organization has also stayed true to its mission. Do some research to find out where the money goes and whether the charity is actually accomplishing its purpose. Though it should be expected that all charitable organizations are transparent and truthful, not every organization is as such. Take a detailed look at the results the organization has produced and discuss what further routes could be taken with the money you will be donating.

Would Your Customers Support This?

Since your business will be financially linked to this charity, you should also decipher whether it is a cause your customers will also support. In most cases, if you’ve done research on the organization and find that it complements your company’s goals well, then your customers will be delighted to see your organization taking part in this charitable cause. This is also a great way to connect with your customers on a deeper level than sales and marketing. Perhaps they will grow a desire to become more involved in these causes and participate in your company’s efforts.