In a word, yes. According to Narciso Garibay – Vice President of Commercial Banking at Colorado Business Bank, featured last month in our Community Partner spotlight – nonprofit and for-profit partnerships can make things more interesting, and beneficial, all around.
“Whether you’re a nonprofit or a for-profit that emphasizes corporate philanthropy, the usual format and banners at typical ‘rubber chicken’ fundraisers are boring,” he says. “To truly raise awareness about a cause and bring in donations, it’s not a matter of doing more or being lavish in any way. What works for us is being less formal and having a lot more fun in the ways we highlight beneficiaries of the CoBiz Cares Foundation.”
Indeed, the bank’s annual BizBash headliner last month was none other than Huey Lewis and The News. “Instead of a black tie event, it was a black T-shirt occasion,” Narciso says. “By promoting the idea of a good time for a good cause, we change people’s mindsets about what it means to attend a charity event.
“We accomplish the same goal, but our messages emphasize a fun atmosphere and a casual environment that people really look forward to.”
It turns out that “a good time for a good cause” is good business, too.
“Our employees and clients look forward to our fundraisers – as much for the causes we support as for the fun they know they’ll have,” continues Narciso. “Our emphasis on giving, and the way we do it, is a unique aspect of our bank that comes up all the time in conversations with clients and potential new employees.
“As a local business bank, our approach to corporate philanthropy is something we pride ourselves on. So when we meet with prospects, we talk about it in our marketing materials as a very important part of our culture.
“We’ve found that it really makes a difference in the minds of new prospects who are looking for a different kind of banking relationship.” Not to mention, Narciso says there’s a strong correlation between the bank’s most successful employees and those involved with its foundation.
“BizBash is a fun event to plan every year, including all the traditional things like table sponsorships – with a twist,” he adds. “It’s more about being creative than it is about being extravagant.”
Related:
Your gala might be a tradition, but is it effective? (The Chronicle of Philanthropy)
