There are many social impact organizations out there today, but not all of them are doing the same things to make a difference. Some focus on in-person volunteering events, while others only offer donations through their programs. There’s no right or wrong way to go about making an impact, but it can be beneficial to find a platform that works best for you based on your goals and values. Here are the top five CSR platform out there today and what they offer, so you can see which one fits your needs best!
1) Charity
Start talking about how you want to be. Talk about what you want, and people are more likely to follow suit. You’re not just making changes for yourself, though; think about how your actions will affect other people, too. Join or start an organization that’s focused on a cause you believe in, such as volunteering with local charities or starting an advocacy group at school or work. There are lots of ways to get involved, so don’t feel like you have to limit yourself—you can make a difference no matter where you live. The key is to get started! It may seem intimidating at first, but once you take that first step toward change, it’ll become easier. Remember: every action counts! If you need help getting started, consider using one of these five CSR platforms to make a difference.
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2) Non-profit organization
If you’re passionate about making a difference in your community, but lack business experience or don’t have any capital of your own, you might want to consider getting involved with an established non-profit organization. Such organizations are often looking for volunteers and interns who can help expand their businesses beyond their usual offerings—often through something like social media management. These types of opportunities can be a great starting point for people interested in moving into business on their own. Many offer valuable resume-building and networking opportunities as well. If you’re considering volunteering at a local non-profit, here are some questions to ask yourself:
What do I hope to get out of my time spent volunteering? Do I hope it will lead me toward future employment?
Do I feel strongly enough about these issues that I’m willing to spend time working towards them? Is there anything else going on in my life that may interfere with my ability to volunteer (work schedule, family obligations)? How much time am I willing/able to devote each week? Am I comfortable working independently or do I need supervision/mentoring from someone more experienced?
3) Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding is one of today’s most exciting ways for individuals and organizations alike to fund causes that benefit their community. Individuals with innovative ideas can pitch their projects online, where prospective donors will decide if they want to support those ideas with monetary contributions. Social entrepreneurs can use crowdfunding sites like Indiegogo and Kickstarter as a platform to connect with supporters—and change agents can use these same platforms to raise awareness about important social issues. Whatever your motivation, there are plenty of great reasons to give back through crowdfunding. Here are five top-rated crowdsourcing platforms you should know about: A full list of our reviews on popular crowdfunding websites can be found here.
4) Corporate social responsibility
In recent years, many companies have implemented corporate social responsibility programs or CSR programs. These platforms are often used by corporations as methods of improving their company’s reputation and garnering publicity. This is especially true for new companies and start-ups. But which are best? Here is our list of what we believe are some of the best, most established corporate social responsibility platforms in America today. It’s important to note that there are countless small businesses with amazing stories about how they’ve positively impacted their communities—these platforms don’t take those stories into account. Instead, they focus on large brands that already enjoy high brand recognition. Without further ado, here are our top five CSR platforms:
Patagonia operates a CSR platform known as 1% For The Planet. It was created more than 20 years ago to encourage its member businesses to donate at least one per cent of net sales toward projects focused on environmental preservation, renewable energy production, outdoor recreation areas, wildlife sanctuaries, and other green initiatives. Patagonia also encourages its customers (called members) to donate at least one per cent of their purchases toward these initiatives.
