10 replies
If I include charity donation in my packages, such as 1% of all packages/services goes to the Ronald McDonald house, can I use that 1% as charity contribution on taxes for my business or would it count for the other business?

Also, does 1% seem too low? The packages/services are high priced so I assume it's not too low.
#charity #donations
  • Profile picture of the author Eddie Spangler
    What do you hope to accomplish with this charity donation element?
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  • Profile picture of the author Seemore25101
    First things first, there is this one charity that I believe in (Stralight Foundation) that helps sick kids to stay entertained while in the hospital. The company I work for now is a huge contributor towards them. But because I believe in what they do and provide for children, I've always wanted to do something for them as well.

    So the 1% would go towards the Starlight Foundation. I would also be asking the businesses if they can provide any extra donation and I would post their business and website on a certain section of my company site to highlight their contribution.

    I know it sounds from my original post that I'm doing it only for tax purposes but I am not. I am just wondering how exactly that would work.
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  • Profile picture of the author Eddie Spangler
    Well the default answer for tax questions is consult a tax expert. In general though if you make the contribution to a qualified charity then you get the write off.

    If you are trying to raise money for a charity a better idea than giving the 1 percent pitch is to offer an additional add on product that doesnt cost much, sell it at a discount, then give the whole amt to charity.

    For example, sign up for a new website and as a special bonus you can add
    a logo design, or 2 extra pages or a month of seo, normally $500 for only $99 and the entire amt goes to the charity.

    Its going to be pretty hard to say no to that.
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    • Profile picture of the author RimaNaj2011
      You should take that and put it towards a more local charity that way you can get some good exposure locally and some good local backlinks.
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      • Profile picture of the author AndrewCavanagh
        Yes if you pay the charity out of your income it's
        your tax deduction.

        What has already been mentioned here...donating to
        a local charity is also excellent advice.

        If you want to get really smart you could also become
        involved in that local charity...helping them with promotions
        etc etc.

        That can lead to all kinds of really valuable contacts.

        You'll be amazed who you meet when you become active
        in a local charity.

        Our current mayor is someone I met helping out a local
        charity.

        Also they see you differently...because you're willing to do
        something to help people in your community instead of just
        trying to make money for yourself.

        That will gain you a lot of respect with many business owners
        and influential people.

        Kindest regards,
        Andrew Cavanagh
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  • Profile picture of the author Eddie Spangler
    Also take this from someone who has done BOATLOADS of charity/nonprofit freebies over the years.

    If you do too much all that happens is everyone has their hands out and doesnt respect your time. I have seen it happen over and over to myself and other people in the local area. So if you are going to help out a charity be sure to focus on the ones you really want to help and dont expect ANYTHING out of it...

    And I mean that even the expectation that you will become appreciated and get paying gigs from this cannot be assumed.
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  • Profile picture of the author Seemore25101
    Alright. I'm planning on working with one charity organisation only. I'm not sure on exactly which organisation now as I do believe in Starlight and what they do but I also am thinking of Winnipeg Harvest. I might just put together a package that is for charity and let the client choose between the two on which the contribution would go towards.

    Thanks you guys! I've already got thoughts on this process to add to my current package.
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    • I'm not sure what the objective of the charity donation is. Is it simply that you want to express gratitude for the successes you have already achieved? I would be interested to know this.
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      • Profile picture of the author Seemore25101
        Originally Posted by LastingLifeSuccess View Post

        I'm not sure what the objective of the charity donation is. Is it simply that you want to express gratitude for the successes you have already achieved? I would be interested to know this.

        It's because I want to give to others. I know what it's like to not have much as I grew up in a family without much and I've always wanted to be able to give to others.
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  • Profile picture of the author opalfx
    i dont see why the two need to be mixed. why cant you just charge $2500 and then you decide where you put the money. i feel like it's a marketing ploy to include chartiable donations with purchases as it pulls on people's heart strings. why not just have a donation button on your site and ask for a separate donation. you could get more than 1% maybe.
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