Brands that support charities

Mona31584416

I will definitely support a brand if I am certain that they support a charity. However, most brands use charity support as a way to entice the public and gain increased public attention. I would not provide names however, I have heard that brands use the "charity funds" and only donate a discounted rate to charity and the rest of the funds is used to build a social reputation as a brand who is interested in donating to charities
Overall, I do however believe that branding can be crucial to charity if it is utilised in a proper manner.

Mona31584416

I will definitely support a brand if I am certain that they support a charity. However, most brands use charity support as a way to entice the public and gain increased public attention. I would not provide names however, I have heard that brands use the "charity funds" and only donate a discounted rate to charity and the rest of the funds is used to build a social reputation as a brand who is interested in donating to charities
Overall, I do however believe that branding can be crucial to charity if it is utilised in a proper manner.

Katherine30218445

Honestly; I dont think its a problem if companies use charity donations for sales or marketing. They are still helping those in need even if their motivations arent altruistic. I see it as very much an innocuous thing!

Ajit

Yes ,i bought books from Save children WA

Alex S

In the greater scheme of things, does it really matter? Even if I thought a brand was only engaging in philanthropy for its own tax benefit or consumer good will, it's still better than them not giving to a charity at all. Corporate philanthropy is a win win situation. The brand gets good exposure, the charity gets $$$.

wezo

i would like to make just one comment on a big brand supporting charity.with all the bad publicity about Mcdonalds and their food not much is said about them running and supporting Ronald Mcdonald House,having had to use this wonderful hospital home stay,with a very sick child i can not say thank you enough for your help at such a stresfull time,again thank you

chips48

I think they do it simply to try to touch our heartstrings and encourage us to buy products from their stores. I'm a real supporter of all the different cancer charities, having had breast cancer last year (so far a survivor, and hopefully staying one), so I always try to locate the stores that are selling the fund-raising products that I want to purchase, but I don't always go into their stores to buy anything else. If I know for sure that they are doing it for the right reason, though, I will purchase a particular products as another way of giving to charity.

Jen

I am with Arrem, I consider it to be a tax discount for the corporates, and I even wonder as we have so many charities some even supporting the same cause are they invented? But on the other side I do wonder are they a community necessity.
As far as it goes to affecting my purchasing behaviour, I will go out of my way to avoid organisations that support overseas causes, or other causes that I do not believe in.
Sadly 'a cause' will not make me go out of my way to support a brand.

mustang6000

I believe that very few of them do it for the 'feel good' factor, it is mostly for the marketing value.

annezane

I honestly don't pay much attention I see it as a tax right off for companies its a win win for both charity and company . It doesn't entice me any more or less to buy the brand unless I'm interesting in the product

Dei

I buy my preferred brands but I'm not swayed by company support of charities. f my preferred brand suports a charity that is an added bonus but I don't go out of my way to seek these.

kaza1

I think some brands that support charities are true blue, do care about the charities that they name.
BUT SOME CHARITIES are just in it to profit for them selfs... they put a name on a product a name of a charitie and hope guys will by the product

grunsey

I would say their is a lot of '' Profit'' involved. I donated $50 to the cancer foundation approx. 14 months ago and I get hounded by phone calls asking for further donations every day to the point I am thinking of changing my phone number. Its all greed now.

deeonlyway

I have recently supported a brand and a charity specifically for the projects they support. I believe most charities are altruistic in nature, but unfortunately there are a few I feel are purely in it for the money.

Cheran

I think the only retailer who truly does support charity because it's a charity and not just a tax write-off, is Dick Smith. Call me cyncial but I don't believe the others really care other than the fact that by doing so it lessens their tax liability and they get to look in the mirror and say "What a good boy/girl am I??" The only one who influences what I buy is Dick Smith and I buy his products because he supports Australian industry/manufacturers and I know where the profits are going.

heeleen

I think it is good for a company to support charities, although we know that most of the motivation behind it is for profit, and tax benefits, but they do help in a small way whatever their motives.

squeekums

If i can see they really do support a charity i drawn too, it puts them higher on list when choosing product or company

Hate seeing obvious attempts to use charity to gain business

squeekums

If i can see they really do support a charity i drawn too, it puts them higher on list when choosing product or company

Hate seeing obvious attempts to use charity to gain business

Groove50

I'm sure that some companies truly do support charities because they want to make a difference, but this makes absolutely no difference to what I feel about a company, Or would I switch to a company just because they support a charity I admire or like. Supporting a charity does not make the company better at what they do or make there products better or make them better at customer service etc, and to me that is what is important not who they support or sponsor.

drummerschick

I think that large corporations should support charities (preferably Australian charities). That being said, I don't necessarily support a brand because it contributes to charities. I tend to agree with most that the brands aren't always truly concerned but more looking for our shopping dollars.

Rossissmellingtheroses

I don't really care. I choose brands according to the criteria (a) Australian made (b) what is in it or performance etc. If charities receive some benefit, then that is great. I have volunteered for 2 organisations over the past 40+ years, & I know how tough it is to raise funds.

Ashar

More of a profit motive I think for most brands. Multinational brands should definitely support charities. I'd switch brands if there was very little difference in the price. I currently buy Oxfam coffee, chocolate, spices and jams. I have a higher and better opinion of brands that support charities.

margaretjulia

I think that most brands support charities because of the advertising opportunities that it creates. If it was not for advertising purposes they would just quietly donate to their chosen charity.

smiley

if you do buy a brand and they donate a % to a charity, you can look up their website and see before you buy which charity it is and even look at their financial reports to check yourself of the donation I would be more concerned what that charity does and how it is using the donation, years ago I was donating monthly to a overseas aid charity and found out that a high % was being spent on admin./postage etc and other costs that was not actually on the community works that it stated on leaflets/pamplets. I would think do I need to buy that product is it being manufactured with proper work conditions and where is it being manufactured

Innercitymum

Its part of many companies corporate social responsibility to support charities. I think brands I buy should support charities. I might be inclined to switch brands if I thought the brands were the same in other ways but one supported a charity I thought was worthwhile. Brands should support charities for the 'love', not the money.

grumpygran

I think it is good for Brands to "support" charities, even if they get a tax break from doing so. I think big companies that make big money should morally support the less fortunate. Dick Smith supports charities and I like to buy from his range of products items that are relevant to me because all the profits go to charity, and it is supporting Aussie made as well. I do not base the rest of my retail buying on how or whether a brand supports a charity. If a brand supports a charity it may make me think more positively towards them.

lyne

I think this is a hard question to answer because the motivation, and concern for others might be different for each brand. For example our local Bendigo Community Bank has built into their charter that a % of profits must go back into the local community. This means that community groups can apply each year for a slice of the banks profits. The profits are channeled back into the community and we all benefit. I can't be as sure of other organisations though. Is it just to charm us into buying their product so their profit margin goes up?

Nancy

I am not into what companies are advertising as most of the time I just buy what I need, when I am in the Supermarket, with little thought of who is advertising the item. When it come to advertising in whatever TV program I am watching I am inclined to "turn off" during that process. Therefore ,if they are supporting a charity, they do so without my support unless It is for something that I normally purchase.

Gerry1945

Dick Smith products profits go to charities however Sanitarium who make Dick Smith items charge 25% less for their peanut butter so less buy the DS product. It there were no advertising products would be 50% cheaper and I would buy what I want not what the advertisers want me to buy. There are 13000 charities in Australia just think of all the overheads are wasted every year (millions). I donate to just a few when I want to without altering prices of anything.

Anonymous

I don't believe I would switch brands to support a charity. I would rather give direct to a charity

Anonymous

I don't believe I would switch brands to support a charity. I would rather give direct to a charity

ivory

It's a form of advertising their brand I think and it's fully tax deductible so why wouldn't they do it?

Carsy

I agree with Arrem. I"m sure most brands support charities mainly for Tax Free Advertising and to win hearts for profit. I am not influenced by any charitable support at all and would not switch brands because of it. However, I support the continuance of this pracice as charities are obviously benefiting from it

michb

I am too cynical to be 'sucked in' by such claims. In this day and age I feel that I'd a company advertises that it supports a charity, I would immediately think 'tax dodge' . I buy products that actively work.

prod001

i buy brands because I want to not because of any charity support... it's rare that business supports charity for love, it's mostly about improving their image

prod001

they support charities to improve their own image. I buy products because I want to, not because of support for a charity

prod001

brands generally support charities to improve their business image... not for love. It doesn't make any difference to which brand I buy

Robyn

A corporation's primary responsibility is to generate a profit to appease their stockholders.by paying dividends and maintaining or increasing the stock price. One of the methods used to stimulate sales is advertising/promotion. Donating/supporting a charity is a form of advertising/promotion. However, donating/supporting a charity is tax deductible and therefore an increase in the bottom line. I am not swayed by a brand's support of a charity unless that support impacts on the quality of the product. I am not particularly friendly to charities as a whole. They have become very similar to big corporations, raising lots of money but losing sight of their objective. In my past, I spent time in Africa working as a volunteer, and the waste and mismanagement I experienced was outrageous.

dingo52

I think they are only doing it for profit

Kiki Chiki

I think they are both - there are brands out there where you can tell it is just a sales gimmick. They may give a portion to charity - if you look closely you can find out the amount. Those that say they give 1%, 2% etc or 5c or something like that - you have to think about how much profit they make on these to consider whether they are genuine.
compared to a 200% markup, 5% seems measly really. But I know there are some companies out there who do put their money where their mouth is, so to speak.

vickbenla

Most brands use charity donations as a tax dodge so they really aren't that big hearted after all . It wouldn't sway me to switch brands just because they say they support a particular charity. I know what brands I like & dislike so it makes no difference to me

***Pottsy***

Different Brands are run by different people with different agendas. You can't lump why they support charities all into one category. Some support charities as a tax aid, some for genuine care reasons, some to impress customers or to try to gain more sales etc. The brands I buy are for different reasons too. Some for a great product, some to support local workers, some out of habit, some out of fear of trying a new brand.
Would I change brands to support a particular charity? Well it would depend on what it is that I'm buying. I'm not going to change to a yucky brand of baked beans that I wouldn't enjoy eating just to help a charity. I'd prefer to stick to my regular brand and make a separate donation to the charity. If the Brand was selling eg. paper towels, then I may swap brands to support the charity as I'm not too fussed about paper towels as long as they as they are made sustainably. So there are a lot of Maybes and Perhaps' in there.
I like to support my local IGA Supermarket as I know they help support local community groups, but I still do my main shopping at a different brand supermarket as they have more of the individual brands that I like to buy. I'm aware that not all Brands can afford to support charities so that doesn't lessen my opinion of those companies. I'm not going to stop buying something just because that brand doesn't show everyone they donate to worthy causes. I am more likely to follow a brand which shows that it is environmentally aware and choose to use sustainable manufacturing methods, than one who doesn't show good environmental ethics but supports eg. the poor.

***Pottsy***

here here I second your thoughts 100% well put

Thanks smiley

smiley

Different Brands are run by different people with different agendas. You can't lump why they support charities all into one category. Some support charities as a tax aid, some for genuine care...

here here I second your thoughts 100% well put

wendel

Hard to know if they are the real deal. I do not necessarily purchase products because of a charitable cause. I do not support overseas charities as I believe that charity begins at home. May be old fashioned but that is my belief.

Bella4927

Whether they are truly concerned or not doesn't bother me; because either way someone wins, the company that supports the charity through exposure, the person that benefits from the charity's support and the charity itself.
I dont switch brands I buy what I prefer, and what is environmentally friendly and ethically sourced. If it supports a charity that is close to my heart than that is a bonus for me.
I think smaller charities are doing it for love.

wild one

Brands that support charities can claim the donations back on their tax so they don't lose out. They also want something back such as advertising for their company.

Maggie24

I think there are some companies that really do support charity others I am more cynical about. For instance when a well known "charity" that is part of a non charity business built a holiday house for sick kids in our town pretty well everything in that house came from other businesses in town. Like the white goods were donated by the local Harvey Norman franchise and the local shop keepers donated prizes for years to raise the money to build the house and a lot of the labor was donated by local tradies those other businesses get no ongoing recognition the whole thing was coordinated by a volunteer organiser but the name on the house is that of the "charity" I may be cynical but it just seems like a good marketing ploy to me.

steury66

im happy for any brands to support charities as long as it gets to the right destination,i myself only support Australian ones that go to our own people that need assistance,.i wouldn't switch brands just because they support them,taste always comes first when buying food.really hoping its for the charities and not just money ,but these big guys are really money hungry rich dudes,so it may just be for show ponies.

Breenie

I am not influenced to buy a brand because it supports a charity/charities. I really don't care why a band supports a charity/charities but think that they should do so

blueybren

I would not support a brand just because it gave to charity.

lele

I support canteen and starlight foundation, my son had a horrific accident two years ago the children hospital and the starlight room were life savers

senorita

I believe these charities organisations are mainly for profit making. While we donate or support a brand, but they funds are not transparent enough to show the public what has been done and achieved.

CAT17

I must say I am of the mind that yes some do it for true meaning of helping those in need however corporations also do it for their own benefit. For example Mac Donalds are very generous with their support for sick children with funding Ron McDonald Houses around the country. A very good and appreciated gesture, but of course there is a financial gain for them. I just hope that all monies raised for 'charity' is spent wisely on the people for whom the money is being raised.

saramerc

i think brands definately take the opportunity to support well known charities for good and not so good reasons.
Not so good is for the business side of things , self promoting, and it is a much cheaper way to market their business as the charity organization will then practically do it for them to say thank you.
The good of course is giving money to help a good cause and where the government doesn't appear to be helping , then this is where we should think twice about what brands can actually do for those in need and support the brand behind the cause.
I also would like to see exactly what their money has been spent on in regards to FROM these charities that they support as i think this is where we begin to feel suspicious to where and what the money has been used for.
This in turn will also stop making brands look like total leeches when it comes to advertising, let's not forget they do give thousands of $$$$ to charities every year ,yet why aren't these charities again telling us about it?

carra989

Companies think about their image more than anything, profits over people next. It is most definitely about money. Affiliating yourself to a cause is just a way to try and convince consumers to buy a product, it doesn't make the product any better, they are certainly hoping to increase profits. I am more likely to reject a brand that is against if I am opposed to the organisation it supports than to buy a brand that supports an organisation. If they were genuine and not out for a profit it would appear more convincing, if they kept their support confidential, even then its a tax right off.

peterv

I do sometimes purchase products that support a charity such as pink ribbon or the McGrath foundation but that's about it.

boppa99

Yes I think they must be concern ,because there giving there profits or someI think the Companys who Give just care more than other company's

margcafe

I will come straight to the point. How many brands do care about supporting charities if they couldn't write it off on tax. l shop and buy when l need to and are not influenced in any way. Money talks'''''''''''

Elvis

Two companies that show true concern - Dick Smith and Paul Newman - "all profits to charity". I always purchase their products. I believe that most companies who donate to charities and good causes are community minded.

crikey

They appeal to our emotions and it works. I know because it affects what brand of product I buy. I am even influenced by environmentally friendly products the same way. I am sure that I am not alone.

Ingi

I am trying to think very hard if certain items for sale go to charity? At the moment I cannot seem think, a niggling thought says some items when sold a percentage went towards a charity bur I cannot think what it was? I do know the most big stores like Coles and Woolworths donate a certain percentage to charity.......Dick Smith gives a huge amount to charity, if I bought an item and the money would be donated to a specific charity I would buy extra to help them out....I would take them at their word.

ab

I think it's a misguided organization that channels funds into charities to win customers. As a consumer it certainly isn't a criteria in my decision making process. In my organization we give to charities that have alignments with our corporate values. Its a s simple as that. We don't donate to win customers, we donate to be a good corporate citizen and to give back to the community at large.
We also have a philanthropic policy that allows us to donate to charities that are close to the hearts of our staff and link the size of these donations to how safe we behave at work. It's a successful program and one that we're proud of. As you can see, none of it has to do with wooing customers. And yes, all companies should support charities - as stated, it's about being a good corporate citizen.

kfactor

I know that most corporations have a charitable resolution that looks really good for the public - they try to put a human face to their selfish, underlying tactics. They don't care about the shareholders, they care about their corporate perks. So which ones can you trust? Not meaning to sound overly cynical, I would genuinely like to know which brands do what they say! How much do they support the nominated charity? Be interesting reading.

Shell1967

I think the companies that support charities just because it is a kind and wonderful thing to do are few and far between!!! For others it just for show and to up their sales and of course dodge the taxman as much as possible. Also what they say they give to the public is not audited and hence may not be as much as they claim

daisy

I think the companies that support charities just because it is a kind and wonderful thing to do are few and far between!!! For others it just for show and to up their sales and of course dodge...

to apoint iagree with you with supportingonly some charties world vision is one where they say they give it to afamily but they dont they dont do what they are suppose to do with the money they dont care about us

woolysmissus

It's a big tax writeoff, especially when it is coupled with some shopper promotion that draws in consumers. There may be some that have a soecial reason supporting the cause, but many corporations are run by boards and it is not a one person decision. They are trying to sway consumers, definitely and I think they should support AT HOME charities and activities. I choose brands by value and quality within my means. Sometimes because our limited budget I have to sacrifice quality but sometimes I will just drop the item from our regular list instead.

linda

Almost all large organisations support charritiesor communitythese days, and have a corporate responisibility strategy. Who cares if they do it to increase sales, they have a responsibility to their shareholders and to the organisation to maximise profit. They do it because we care and will purchase their goods if they donate. Email them o let them know youshop with them because they give and it can ony increase!!

bettythrelfo

I will support a brand only if I know they do support a charity, and I have read that they do give to that charity, and it is not just a sale dodge or a tax dodge as the lady above wrote. I prefer myself to send a cheque to someone I know that does good, like fred hollows. It is very easy to put wording on a packet, but I wonder if anyone has actually challenged them... I have not noticed that any brands do support certain charities, can anyone name some for me... thank you. I would switch brands if I knew they were actually being supported.

arrem

I think the whole corporate support of charities is a cynical move to increase sales and dodge tax. The corporations involved are about as compassionate as a bush fire.
The only support that actully changes my behaviour is the support of sporting teams that I support and I choose to change in the full knowledge that they do it for advertising and no other reason.