As a local business owner, it’s not uncommon to be asked for sponsorships and donations by local nonprofits, charities, sports, and civic organizations. These requests can be for product or for financial support ranging from around a hundred dollars to more than a thousand. Oftentimes these requests are framed as buying advertising, such as your business logo on their shirt or form of collateral material. It can be quite a task to decide who your business supports and who gets put off till next year.
Beyond any superficial value return on the support of these organizations, community capital is what you are really buying as a business owner. Community capital is the direct connection your business has to the people in your local area that support and help you grow your business. It’s the relationships you build by participating with these organizations that will make you successful. Relationships precede results and you can’t just connect the dots going forward. The value of these relationships is only clear looking back. Throughout the adversities brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses have been saved by the support fostered through community capital.
However, community capital isn’t as simple as saying yes to every organization that requests your support. To do it right, you have to look for opportunities to partner rather than sponsor. A partnership is a two-way street. It requires time and effort from both parties involved to benefit each other. Last quarter, Frios Gourmet Pops of Mobile partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of South Alabama.
For one month, 100% of the profit from every Blue Raspberry pop sold went directly to Boys & Girls Club of South Alabama. Frios blasted our social media feeds telling the story and great work was done by Boys & Girls Club for inviting the community to support them and enjoy a pop.
Boys & Girls Club reached out to their dedicated supporters and companies with a new way for them to support a mission they were already invested in.
By combining efforts, Frios Gourmet Pops of Mobile donated $1,452.00 to support the mission of a meaningful organization. More than money, it takes time to transition from sponsor to partner, but the results are well worth it. Check us out to find the Frios location nearest you. We are always ready to make our next great relationship.