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If you buy a shirt or buy a pair of shoes or buy soup during October, then you will help fund these causes. How many businesses do you know that have a piggy bank that says, "we support AIDS research, help us help fund it" in their stores? I've never seen it. But, if you help them make a profit, then they'll help out with their cause.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying what they're doing is bad, because research shows people want corporations to support something. Allyson Kapin of Frogloop found that in 2010, it was found that 81% of Americans want companies to give them the opportunity to buy a cause related product. (Par. 2) But, what I am saying is why can't these corporations and these people that want to buy cause related products, just support the cause without having to give profit to other seemingly related companies? And, you have to be careful about whether or not your money is actually going to help anyone. How are you supposed to know whether or not you're actually supporting anything besides the money hungry companies who are convincing you are helping? YOU ASK. Your average cashier probably wouldn't know how much money is going to breast cancer research if you buy pink sharpies that say they're going to help fund it, but calling these major corporations and asking would probably shock you (and them) because no one really seems to care. As long as they think they're helping someone, they feel fine.
So, before you buy that pink ribbon-ed soup or anything else that "proceeds help fund... [insert whatever cause here] research" keep in mind that your money would probably be better spent just simply donating to that cause. While it's nice to wear the Gap (RED) shirt and show you support AIDS research, you spent $30 on a shirt that sends only $15 to AIDS research. Go donate the $30 in whole!
Corporations are doing a good thing by picking up causes and allowing you to help support them, but the way they're doing it isn't the best. Get online and search for how to donate directly to the cause of your choice so you can have a say in how much money goes their way.
1
Join(RED). Web. 19 Feb. 2011.
<http://www.joinred.com/red/#shopred_52>.
2
"One For One Movement - A Pair Of New Shoes Is Given To A Child In Need With Every Pair Purchased - TOMS.com." Official Store - TOMS Shoes - One for One - A Pair of New Shoes Is Given to a Child in Need With Every Pair Purchased | TOMS.com. Web. 19 Feb. 2011.
<http://www.toms.com/our-movement/>.
<http://www.toms.com/our-movement/>.
3
"Ninety Percent of Consumers Want Companies to Support Causes ." Online Fundraising, Advocacy, and Social Media - Frogloop. Web. 19 Feb. 2011.
<http://www.frogloop.com/care2blog/2010/9/28/ninety-percent-of-consumers-want-companies-to-support-causes.html>.
<http://www.frogloop.com/care2blog/2010/9/28/ninety-percent-of-consumers-want-companies-to-support-causes.html>.
Dear Emily,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this post. I have never looked at it in that manner, and I agree that it would be better to just send the entire donation to "the cause". But, you must agree that people are greedy, and some people, not all, but some don't get satisfaction out of giving. They want something in return. So in some other instances, they are helping promote, because they are at least bringing up the topic of giving. I do agree with you though.
When you stated, "...calling these major corporations and asking would probably shock you (and them) because no one really seems to care.", it stood out to me. I never even thought to question the corporations of if they are really sending the money or not. I bet a lot of them aren't. They know that no one cares, and so they can say they are doing it for publicity, but never really send anything because people never question it. That's upsetting.
"But, if you help them make a profit, then they'll help out with their cause." This is exactly true. They don't ever seem to just give out of their hearts. They always have to make some money before they can give it. Like they didn't make tons last quarter! Makes me wonder how selfish they can get.
You were extremely organized and headed straight to the point. You were short and sweet, and I liked that a lot. You got down to business and used examples that everyone has heard about. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I've never thought about it like that before.
Gazelle
Dearest Emily,
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with your view on why consumers should just go and donate directly to the fund they want to support rather than buying a company’s product where only half the money spent goes toward the cause. Companies put so much effort into making lines for causes such as breast cancer awareness, but ultimately they are still making a profit off of those products, which if they truly wanted to make their business look great, they wouldn’t. The companies wouldn’t have a problem with just giving all proceeds to the cause and taking a profit loss on the goods. If they gave a 100% of the products not only would it make people more willing to vote, but they could use the money they spent on making these certain products to sell as a tax write off for themselves.
"But, if you help them make a profit, then they'll help out with their cause." Really strikes me because it gives you a new perspective in thinking that these corporations are only going to donate if you give them a profit, which ultimately is ridiculously selfish I think. You definitely brought that thought to the front of my mind in the sense that these companies are claiming to be doing something good for society, but ultimately only at their gain.
“So, before you buy that pink ribbon-ed soup or anything else that "proceeds help fund... [insert whatever cause here] research" keep in mind that your money would probably be better spent just simply donating to that cause.” I really agree with this because if consumers themselves stopped being so selfish and not having to have something to wave around saying they donated they would just be better off giving straight to the cause. I don’t think this is something a lot of consumers think about when they’re buying a product, but it’s completely true. I think we would all be better off if when we donated we could just straight up donate to a cause without having to give part of our donation away. Plus, we could then use that as a tax write off for ourselves.
Your blog is honest and if you continue with that I will definitely come back and read more.
Grackle