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Counting the ways to make charity pay
Why do businesses give?
Some do so out of religious conviction but many have selfserving motivations.
One is to build their brand, says Lisa Hartford, a communications executive with Torontobased Imagine Canada. “An offshoot of that is to build strong communities that support their business interest but also to build social capital in their community and support the people in their organizations. It’s building goodwill.”
It also helps firms recruit and retain employees. “More and more employees want to work for companies that have a social conscience and manifest that visibly,” Hartford says.
Another benefit is an opportunity to network, says an official with the Canadian Youth Business Foundation. “It’s all about meeting other people and you never know where that will take you. That is not the driving force for philanthropy, but people who tend to be entrepreneurial in nature will look at any activity as an opportunity to do more business and connect the dots.”
Community involvement sends a message that the company has a heart, which pays off in customer loyalty, adds Monica Patten, president and chief executive of Community Foundations of Canada in Ottawa. “Small business already understands they are part of the social and economic fabric of their community.... It’s good for their business. And giving back is one more way they can connect.”
MEDA internships
MEDA is recruiting two seven-month U.S. internships for recent college graduates.
Microbusiness Development Associate — Gulfport/Biloxi, Mississippi
The Gulf Coast Community Service Center (GCCSC) provides assistance to people recovering from Hurricane Katrina. MEDA’s role is to develop a microbusiness program using the ASSETS+ model of training, technical assistance, lending and mentoring. The intern will help develop and deliver these services to those wanting to start or grow a business.
Qualifications: Degree in Business Administration, Community Economic Development, Entrepreneurship or related field; cultural flexibility; appreciation and support of MEDA’s faith, values and goals.
Human Resource Administrator — Haiti
Fonkoze, with 378 employees in 15 branches, provides small business loans and savings products to meet the needs of Haiti’s poor. MEDA transferred its rural finance program to Fonkoze in 2004 and remains involved. The intern, based in Port-au-Prince, will help with job descriptions, performance management and HR policies and training, working closely with Fonkoze’s HR director and MEDA’s HR staff in Waterloo, Ont.
Qualifications: Knowledge of French; college degree (studies in Human Resources preferred); HR experience an asset; appreciation and support of MEDA’s faith, values and goals.
Check out the full postings at http://www.meda.org/WhoWeAre/Internships.html.
Send resumes to jobs@meda.org
One survey of small business owners in the four western Canadian provinces found that an overwhelming majority (96 percent) reported some sort of community or charitable involvement. Eighty percent gave cash, 62 percent made in-kind donations of products or services, and 50 percent donated time. (Financial Post)
“MEDA Europe” to test waters for expanded global outreach
Plans are underway to create a new European version of Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) and establish an office in Germany.
MEDA’s board of directors recently approved the formation of “MEDA Europe” on a two-year trial basis.
Initially, the new organization will have a dual purpose: To invite European businesspeople to join and support MEDA’s mission to “create business solutions to poverty,” and to establish a regional base to access funding from large European donor agencies who prefer to work with agencies located there.
“Leading Mennonite businesspeople have encouraged us to come there and build up a base among companies,” says MEDA president Allan Sauder. “At the same time, we’ve found that some large funders will not deal with North American initiatives.”
In addition, a broader funding base could enable MEDA to work in countries that traditional funders in Canada and the U.S. aren’t interested in supporting.
MEDA has begun the process to recruit a European manager to set up an office, carry out legal registration and begin to build relationships with contracting agencies and businesspeople. The office will initially be located in Germany but its scope will not be limited to that country. Sauder noted that MEDA already has members in other countries, such as The Netherlands. The target will be primarily Christian businesspeople but will also be open to others who share MEDA’s mission of creating business solutions to poverty.
“If we are successful we could then pursue a full member-based organization in Europe, much like we have in Canada and the United States, but remaining under the larger MEDA umbrella,” Sauder says.
New kids book touts microcredit
A movement has reached new heights of acceptance when it becomes so embedded in popular culture that people write children’s books about it.
Such is the case with microcredit.
Based on a true story, One Hen: How One Small Loan Made A Big Difference tells the story of Kojo, a young boy in Ghana who scratches together a few coins from his mother’s loan to buy a hen so they will have eggs to eat. Soon there are extra eggs to sell. Kojo uses his profit to buy more hens to pay for his school fees. After finishing school he gets a small loan to expand his flock and eventually develops a poultry farm that grows into the largest in the country.
One Hen: How One Small Loan Made A Big Difference by Katie Smith Milway (Kids Can Press, 2008, $18.95 U.S., $19.95 Cdn.)
In time additional elements could be added to the mix, such as European versions of MEDA’s programs and publications to promote faith-business integration.
“One of the uncertainties is whether European businesspeople will support a vision like MEDA’s,” says Gerhard Pries, director of investment fund development. “The culture of donations that we enjoy in North America is not as prevalent in Europe.”
Discussions with various European members have been encouraging, says Pries. “We believe we ought to capture the positive and growing energy within MEDA to expand into new markets at this time.”
Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) invites applications for a Vice-President Marketing & Resource Development. MEDA is an association of Christians in business and the professions who share their faith, abilities and resources to address human needs through economic development. MEDA brings hope, opportunity and economic well-being to low-income people around the world, through a business-oriented approach to development.
Position summary:
Reporting to the president, this position is responsible for the overall management of MEDA’s marketing and fundraising functions, including the development of a marketing strategy integrated with the product line strategies; direct fundraising, and development of new sources of financial resources including foundations, planned giving and special projects; and the increased involvement of a growing and diverse membership in all areas of MEDA’s work. The position is based in Waterloo, Ont. or possibly in Lancaster, Pa. with frequent travel throughout North America and occasional travel overseas. Start date is April 2008.
Qualifications:
• Senior management experience in business and marketing • A flair for creative marketing solutions and a track record in strategic marketing • Advanced degree in business and marketing • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written • An active member of an Anabaptist church and business community • Appreciation and support of MEDA’s faith, values and goals Please send your resume to jobs@meda.org
For specific questions contact Kim Pityn, Director, Human Resources at 519-725-1853 ext 19
