The Nonprofit FAQ

What should we say to our employees about philanthropy?
Theodore Richard Hart [Mailto: TRHART@aol.com] wrote in October 1994:

We would like to prepare a short presentation to give during each
employee orientation session, discussing the importance of Philanthropy
at our institution and the options employees have to support it
themselves.

Does anyone have any ideas, comments, suggestions on this topic? Does
anyone have any sample discussion points or employee brochures?

Jim Caplan replied:

I still remember some
bad and some good presentations about giving something back to the
community. The key is influencing people to WANT to give, not feeling
like they HAVE to give.

Unfortunately, I've seen more of the latter. Also, United Way does a
very good job of persuading employees to participate in payroll
deduction plans. You might check with their local marketing/campaign
staff.