It doesn’t happen often enough – the public sharing of charitable business owners and businesses as donors to events and non-profit organizations as a way to raise money.
Sometimes it is because the company owner doesn’t want or expect public acknowledgement. Sometimes it is because history dictates that we don’t do this type of thing. But when the perfect moment arises, it sometimes makes sense to show the clever ways that businesses all over the United States are giving back to good causes, to help float the idea to other area businesses.
In the case we will talk about today, the company is 7 hours, or about 425 miles away from the non-profit it is supporting. We won’t be talking about the owner’s of the company, but how strategic asking can lead to helpful donations and good relationships in the non-profit community – especially at the local level.
In the grand scheme of things the mostly localized organization REACH (formerly C.A.S.A. – Center Against Sexual Assault of Southwest Riverside County), serves a hyper local clientele int he Valley, and operates in the much needed trauma and sexual survivors field, providing services to those who have been assaulted in a number of ways, including those who have been human trafficked, child abuse victims and sexual assault survivors.
Because of the unique and delicate types of services that REACH provides, the organization launched a Yearly fundraising and recognition Gala for those who support the good work they do, and in order to raise for future needs of the organization. It was aptly named “Hearts of Gold Gala”. It’s been successful so far, and the future looks big for the annual event once COVID clears up enough to make face to face events like this more realistic. The most recent event was part live, part recorded and served with a live audience (viewing individually from home).
It was successful in raising funds to finish a project that helps record interviews for child abuse victims that will lead to proper adjudication of the perpetrators and also properly addressing future trauma informed care for those children. A setup like the one REACH was raising money for is expensive because it has exceptionally high standards for the build, because California state court compliance is hard for an off-site location.
Local businesses and philanthropists have been very supportive of REACH (formerly C.A.S.A.) in the past, and continue to be. But branching out to look for new donors and others who can buy-in to the cause that REACH works on is important for continued growth – especially considering that the organization works in a field that is growing (unfortunately).
It seemed a perfect fit to have a “Loveseat” for auction at the Gala event, considering it’s geared towards loving charitable donors, who donate for the love of children and victims of horrific crimes against them that they were powerless to stop. Furthermore, the “Hearts of Gold Gala is held around or on Valentine’s Day each year.
The Loveseat auction item wasn’t the most expensive item on the block – there were generous donations by Hemet area businesses and individuals as well, but it was a great piece to highlight considering the cleverness of the donation. And it helps to highlight the fact that it doesn’t really matter where you are located, or if you can directly see benefit in your local community – donations to quality 501c organizations that tackle tough issues can be important, even if you donate from hundreds of miles away.
You can find information about the “Hearts of Gold Gala” run by REACH (Formerly Center Against Sexual Assault) by clicking the link.
You can find out more about REACH as an organization by clicking the link.
You can find out more about the Furniture Store that made the Custom Loveseat donation – WhatARoom Furniture, that serves the San Jose, Milpitas, Santa Clara, and the San Francisco Bay areas locally, and ships anywhere in the USA, by looking at their modern, contemporary and minimalist furniture offerings, including 100% custom made in the USA sofas and sectionals by clicking the links.
We’d love to hear about your favorite donations or creative ways to raise funding for good causes like those that REACH offers the Hemet and San Jacinto Valley and beyond.
