Virtual Assistant Forums | Work from Home

VagabondetteVA · #1 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008

So the more I think about it, the more I want my volunteerism to be an integral part of my business. However, I obviously can't just give away all of my hours. So, I was thinking of an "hours for charity" program where clients can purchase my services for their favorite charity. They could even do it through a direct donation to the charity which would be a tax deduction for them. I could even design a button that charities could put on their website to get the word out.

I think it could be a great marketing pitch!

Also, along the same lines, do you give a reduced rate to non-profits?

Thoughts?

ChristinaVOS · #2 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008

Sounds like a great idea Amanda.

I actually do virtual volunteering for a Hospice in NV. I signed up at VolunteerMatch and they found me. It's been great being able to help out and it provides me with some experience in a field I had never worked in before.

I always feel you should give back.

VagabondetteVA · #3 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008

I'll definitely still be donating some hours but I can't donate as much as I'd like. Maybe I should do a matching program as an incentive. For every 10 hours donated I donate 2.5. That's a 25% match...

Modern Marketing Support · #4 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008

I'm not sure I understand your meaning. Will clients purchase hours on behalf of a charity for which you will work? Sorry, I'm completely clueless about this. Could you explain a bit more about your idea? It sounds intriguing but I just need a bit more info.

VagabondetteVA · #5 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008

Ok, bear with me because this just occurred to me today so I haven't really fleshed it out in my head. Here's what I'm thinking:

I will have a page on my site called "Hours for Change" or something like that. The program will basically allow clients to donate MY time/services to the charity of their choice. Like buying a gift certificate or something.

There are lots of people out there (me included) who will not give cash donations to charities for various reasons. For me it's because I've seen too much wasted money at non-profits so I will only give time or goods. Well, this will solve that problem. They're just giving my time/goods instead of theirs.

And then I'll match it 25% as an extra bonus.

Having worked as a volunteer coordinator for a non-profit I know how hard it can be to get people in who really know what they're doing so this is a way to get some specialized assistance when needed.

I think I'll also approach some non-profits with the idea and work a deal that if they agree to list the program on their website with a link back to me using a logo I'll develop then I'll give them a 25% discount off of any time that they purchase directly. I'll also list their charity on that page in case people want to donate but don't have a specific charity in mind.

When someone buys time for a donation, I will send a letter to the charity explaining the program (if it's not one I'm already partnered with) and letting them know the value of the contribution so the donor will get their tax deduction letter.

Does that help clarify or am I still confusing you?

Modern Marketing Support · #6 (**permalink**) 05-30-2008

The idea sounds similar to the charity sponsorship that we tried here at the forums earlier in the year with a charity in Florida. We all got together and agreed to donate an hour of our time each month for 12 months. I think there were 10-12 of us. Anyway, when it came down to the wire, the charity didn't want our help! It's funny now, but I wasn't laughing at the time. I couldn't believe they turned us down. They turned away 10-12 hours of free admin help per month!

Why am I mentioning this? Because I want you to think about the charities you will be helping and make sure that the donor doesn't choose just any charity only to find out they don't need your help. I'm not discouraging from you from following through on a great idea I'm just sharing our experience with you so that you are aware of a possible roadblock.

I do wish you the best of luck with your idea. I like it a lot.

VagabondetteVA · #7 (**permalink**) 05-30-2008

Hi Shari,

Yes, it's definitely not going to work for all orgs. I spoke with a friend of mine this morning who has been development director for 3 non-profits and picked her brain a bit. I think that before I launch this I'm going to try to set up partnerships with a few orgs and have them listed on my site. Then if people want to give to a different group they can just email me and I'll contact that group and see if they're open to the idea.

Mostly it will be the small non-profits who will welcome this. Larger, national and international, orgs probably won't be into it. I'll pitch it to the orgs as a highly skilled volunteer instead of the usual volunteers that can barely stuff an envelope.

At least my friend thought it was a good idea!

StephanieP · #8 (**permalink**) 05-30-2008

I think that's a great idea, Sundi! I plan on offering services to non-profits since I have some knowledge of how they're run (I currently work for one) and planned on donating some of my time to non-profits (maybe have a contest or something like that from time to time) and also donating time to be included in things like silent auction fund raisers. Of course, I'll have to be careful with how much I donate so that I'm not working for free...lol

From what I can tell, most VAs who cater to non-profits do discount their time (the average seems to be about 15%), but I don't think you'd have to do this if your client was "donating" your time.

This could be a great marketing idea that could still make you money as well as give something back to the community.

Administrative Partners · #9 (**permalink**) 05-30-2008

I applaud your desire to give in that way. As a side note, every business book that I am reading at the moment mentions the importance of giving back and community outreach. It usually gives the business big returns even though thats not your motive. Volunteer Match might be a great way to do that as well.

Monique · #10 (**permalink**) 05-30-2008

Amanda, I really like your idea regarding hours for charity that is a fantastic way to get the word out about your business while giving back at the same time.

I have decided to put together a similar program "Operation Give Back"

which I will donate a certain number of hours to a specific charity of my choice. I am sending out a marketing flyer to these organizations so they can decide whether or not they could use my help.

I will then get a testimony for my work to place on my web site.

Good luck I think your heading in the right direction.