Giving back to the community has been a core value for vcfo since inception 27 years ago. Over the years our initiatives coalesced into vcfo gives®. As we close out 2022 and look ahead to 2023, I want to share more about what I consider a critical value to vcfo.
By way of background, early in my career, I was very influenced by a local business owner who made a significant contribution to a program I was raising funds for as a young mother involved in PTA. He calmly wrote the biggest check ever for the school program and largely funded a new reading program for the elementary students. Zero recognition. He did it because we needed it.
Before that, my own visibility into corporate philanthropy was more of a marketing view where there was generally a benefit in return for a contribution. His gift was pure philanthropy and so beneficial to so many. Both types of giving are important pillars of charitable giving. At vcfo, we do both. Many of you do the same. We enjoy supporting many of Austin’s charitable events by sponsoring tables and similar activities, and house that as marketing expense though it has a charitable element.
However, we put more focus on giving time and money directly to groups that need it to do their important work in the community. These groups are directly interfacing daily with those in need. NonPareil, SAFE, The Bridge, Food Bank of the Rockies, and Literacy Now are a few examples of this. This direct and focused giving is what we house under vcfo gives.
Our vcfo gives giving goal for 2023 is $100,000 in direct giving. MANY of you do way more than we do. Bobby Jenkins with ABC Home & Commercial Services is one example. He has been a lightning rod for philanthropy, as well as recruiting other businesses together under the group Austin Gives (which he helped start), all of whom commit to contribute at least 1% annually of pretax profit. This group does great work recognizing those leaning in to support the community in an effort to encourage others to do the same. Austin Gives is now a program of the Austin Chamber.
Giving back to the community is important to the vcfo team and likely quite important to your employees as well. If you don’t already have a focus in this area, I encourage you to consider formalizing your own giving program or starting one. Elevate the importance in your company culture as well with your personal engagement. Engage your employees in deciding what you want your plan to look like and what to support.
At vcfo, we are looking forward to a strong 2023 and wish the same for each of you. Let’s spend some of our success this year supporting our nonprofit community together.
Some of the nonprofits and organizations that are meaningful to vcfo:
