Private sector involvement in community schemes is low in the UK. This is proabably due to the large amount of Government Office money already being pumped into the sector. But, a large part of the sector which is falling through the funding gaps could use a boost from the private sector, and not just in £s. In fact, Stephanie Burras of Leeds Ahead has creatively addressed the private sector intervention issue by making it mutually beneficial. As I always say; compensation drives behavior. That doesn’t necessarily mean money.
Leeds Ahead matches community organisatios with private sector expertise like pieces of a complicated puzzle. The result is a higher degree of creativity from the private sector and a hand up for the voluntary sector. Throw in a bit of corporate networking at the regular meetings and you have a win-win situation.
I was just at the 2-year birthday celebration for Leeds Ahead and found it inspirational. Companies were taking an initiative to get involved, not by writing cheques, but acting and engaging. Because of this, a sample company was able to improve its recruiting and graduate training program (an expensive overhead for the firm) simply by providing a bespoke service to a voluntary organisation. This creates energy and momentum and avoids just simply filling a gap.
If you are a company of any incorporation, get involved and see what happens.
Related posts:
