How Businesses can Support & Create Impact for Their Local Nonprofits

Give-Back & Beneficiary Events can help your business as well as your community.

Written by Karen Murphy, Director of Sponsorships and Partnerships

2020 was quite a year. I think most of us were ready for it to wrap up and begin anew with hopes of a kinder and gentler 2021. Although we have faced many challenges as a non-profit, our team at ISF is feeling pretty grateful these days as we were able to end the year being a beneficiary of several partner programs.  We gave back just over $1 Million to pediatric cancer in 2020 and local Charlotte businesses were a huge part of this record donation.

Company give-back programs consist of a restaurant or business offering a portion of proceeds from its sales and/or services back to a non-profit.  Typically, it is during a specific time period or for a specific product, service, or menu item. These events are incredibly beneficial and allow nonprofits to use their networks to encourage their supporters to dine or shop at the local business that is giving back. People love to support businesses that care about helping others and giving back to their community. It is a win-win for everyone and in 2020, these programs have been especially meaningful. 

In 2020, through local Charlotte beneficiary programs and events, ISF earned an incredible $146,533 for pediatric cancerStrengthening Treatment Options. Improving Outcomes. Helping Families.  

We would like to send a HUGE THANK YOU to the following businesses for partnering with ISF and making an effort during a difficult year to give back to the Charlotte community, ultimately making a difference for rare pediatric cancer. This partner support helped us make a significant impact on each of our mission categories for childhood cancer.

Providence Plastic Surgery and Skin Center donated $8,700 to ISF in November, following their Great Give Back Botox charity week. To date, PPS has donated an amazing $12,900, through their continued support over the years.

STIR Charlotte and SquareOne Holding Company donated $8,573 to ISF in November, as a result of their month-long give-back program, contributing a portion of proceeds from food sales. Since its grand opening of STIR Charlotte in August ‘20, the restaurant has donated $15,501 to ISF to help fund research for a cure for rare pediatric cancers. In addition to offering give-back programs, they also encourage their wait staff to tell each and every patron about ISF and how they can help and by providing QR codes at every table. They have been extremely committed to ISF and we can’t thank them enough for their generosity and dedication to our cause. 

Melting Pot Midtown and Melting Pot Lake Norman donated $3,035 to ISF in November, for their annual give-back event. In the past two years alone, their charitable programs have resulted in close to $25,000 for ISF. It is truly incredible and they have been committed to our mission for many years and we are extremely grateful.

Brixx Wood Fired Pizza donated $13,000 to ISF in November, following their weeklong give-back event. They donated 100% of kids meals sold at all 5 of their Charlotte area locations.  This is the second year Brixx Pizza has offered the program, making a total impact of $23,000, in addition to many gift cards given for our fundraising purposes. 

– Lauren from Chakti Yoga donated $450 to ISF in November, from proceeds of a yoga class. 

NoDa Brewing Company donated to ISF in early December, through the “You Drink. We Donate” program. This is in addition to their $10,000 Sustaining Sponsorship and several other give-back events throughout the year! NoDa Brewing is always finding a way to get involved and support what we do and has been extremely impactful over the years.

A few other amazing businesses we would like to recognize for their give-back programs earlier in the year are Jersey Mike’s, Tito’s Handmade VodkaSWEET’s SyrupSharkey’s Cuts for Kids (generously donates a portion of proceeds EVERY month to ISF!!), SAS Cupcakes, and William-Grace.

We are incredibly honored and grateful for these businesses who believe in our mission to impact rare pediatric cancer research. Together we are making a difference for kids and their families and that is something we can all feel good about.

There are so many ways restaurants and businesses can offer give-back programs and/or events. If your business is interested in getting involved in 2021, please reach out to Karen Murphy (kmurphy@IsabellaSantosFoundation.org). We would love to help support your business, while you join us in helping kids with rare cancers. Here’s to an even more impactful 2021!