Philanthropic Endeavors
Philanthropic endeavors aren't just for millionaires. Philanthropy is an activity that we can all participate in to make our corner of the world a better place. As businesspeople and photographers, we have unique skills we can bring to the marketplace to help those less fortunate. From offering gift certificates to community non-profit organizations for silent auctions to raising funds for a particular organization to giving a donor to Locks of Love a free portrait, opportunities abound.
SPU believe in fostering a grateful attitude for what we have and an attitude of generosity toward others. Each month SPU will highlight a colleague who has exemplified a philanthropic spirit and has given of themselves and their talents to their community. After all, aren't our acts of kindness what connects us to one another on a very real human level?
Name: Robert Provencher
Studio: Westmount Photography
Location: Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
URL: westmountphotography.com
How long have you been in business: 25 years
What prompted you to become involved in philanthropy? My personal beliefs prompted me, and I am only starting out in this sort of practice. I believe in the idea of giving away at least 10% of ones gross income, and more, but not blindly donating to larger corporations where they have huge budgets. I like choosing the cause, from helping out a kid who needs equipment for hockey to local community efforts and up to larger operations such as sending kids to camp and delivering bedkits to children who would be at risk in their area in the world without them.
I also read about this idea in many of my favorite success books and more recently having finished an extensive read on the life of Andrew Carnegie, who was the richest man in the world, and had the personal belief that it was his duty to make as much money as he could, and give every cent away before he died. And he accomplished it. There are libraries all over the world that he helped build.
Do you focus on one charity or are you involved in helping several? Several but the main one is SCAW- Sleeping Children Around the World which brings much needed bedkits to children around the world. I also will help local kids out if and whne needed, preferring to do so anonymously.
What campaign have you created to benefit charity, and did you need to create new marketing materials? Through No Bs Photo Success we started a fund drive two years ago and so far have pulled in over $15,000.00.
How/why did you choose the style of the marketing pieces? Nothing much really. Mainly through the forum. When you have many members to help pitch in, it helps a great deal.
How has the community responded to your efforts? They came through. We hope this year to be bigger and better yet.
If your philanthropic endeavor was successful, will you repeat your campaign in the future? If so, will you fine tune it or change it to make it any different? We do plan to run the SCAW fundraiser through the forum and promote it even more aggresively than before. We track every member who donates and place their name on the list which is posted in the forum. Creates excitment and participation.
Here's a little video of us bringing the first check back from 2007, our first run at it. http://www.nobshome.com/videos/scaw2007.html
Also, attached a few images of some of the groups that receive the kits. All the money donated goes directly to the purchase of bedkits. Volunteers run the organization so there are little costs involved. Volunteers even pay their own travel expenses to hand deilver this kits. It was volunteers who shot the attached group photos. They send us a stack of these images every year and it's really cool to see the actual poeple and places where the money is going.
Currenty am working with a local chariy that sends troubled kids to camp for several weeks. Scaw website: http://www.scaw.org
Next month we'll feature a SPU student's experience partnering with their favorite charity. If you're interested in sharing how philanthropy is a part of your marketing efforts, please send an email to admin@sandysworlduniversity.com.
