As the Director of Development for ChickTech, a national women in technology nonprofit, I create national and local partnerships with the private sector to support our high school and career level programs. I’ve noticed that when I’m looking to build partnerships and reach out to startups, they want to get involved but often feel that they can’t due to the financial constraints that come with building a new company. I am here to tell you can! There are several non-financial ways to be involved in social good as a startup. Plus, outside of a healthy dose of good karma, there are a lot of benefits of investing in a non-profit that aren’t always obvious. There are some real tangible benefits to focusing on good corporate citizenship as a startup. Studies show companies that have good corporate citizenship show longer lengths of time with positive financial returns have more engaged employees and build stronger customer loyalty.

Here are some ways your startup can get involved in corporate citizenship:

Make in-kind donation

If you’re a tech startup, there’s a pretty good chance you’re making something pretty cool! You can gain exposure and help out your community by donating a few of your products. Non-profits can use them to help run their charity, use them as appreciation gifts for donations; they can even use them to create charity auctions!

Try this –

• Give free premium access to your software, app or product.
• Donate your office space in the evenings to non-profits for their fundraising events, board meetings, and programs.

Create an employee volunteer incentive program

Non-profits and charities often rely solely on volunteers. It can be really hard to find people willing to donate their time to a cause – even when they strongly believe in it. Your company can create a formal employee incentive program to help give them a little nudge.

Try this –

• Offer extra paid days off for a specific amount of hours of volunteering.
• Encourage employees to volunteer during work hours.

Make introductions to potential sponsors and volunteers

You’re out there networking your startup. You’re meeting a lot of really cool and sometimes really influential people. Use your network to support your favorite non-profits by making introductions to potential sponsors and volunteers. You might be the catalyst for a beneficial relationship for a non-profit organization.

Try this –

• The next time your favorite non-profit is putting on an event attend and bring a friend. Heck, bring five friends!
• Set up volunteer or sponsorship meetings with friends, family members and colleagues on behalf of the non-profit.

Spread the word

Another great way to leverage your network is to simply spread the word. Non-profits need advocates—loud ones! Word of mouth is still one of the most effective marketing tools out there; use it to support a non-profit.

Try this –

• Give shout-outs or re-share on social media with both your personal and business accounts.
• Make it your mission to tell just five people a week about your favorite non-profits mission.

Become a financial sponsor to a non-profit

Okay, so I know I said that I was going to give you ways to give back that didn’t cost money, but I’d be doing all fundraising managers a disservice if I left it off! Typically, non-profits seek out financial support first, which, for a startup, may be unrealistic but if you have the means to give to non-profit groups you should. No matter how small. Just like a business, there are operational costs associated with running a non-profit that have to get covered, which is the most beneficial way to help.

Try this –

• Make a monetary donation.
• Give a percentage of your yearly sales.

Create a special product and donate the proceeds.

When startups partner to solve real problems within their community, they show that they’re responsible leaders working to create a world in which people want to do business and a world in which people want to live. Non-profits understand it’s tough finding resources just to run your business let alone try to lend a hand. Whether it is as simple as spreading the word or as big as making a financial donation, your company can give back to your community no matter how small it is.

Are you a WTIA member looking to get involved in a changing the landscape of technology workers? Reach out to me I would love to be able to help your company get involved!