OFFICE LUNCH FOR LIFE - LARGE COMPANY

If you work for a large corporation, it’s no doubt that at some point, you’ve participated in a corporate philanthropy project. In today’s business environment, more and more companies are discovering that customers are more loyal to organizations and brands that give back, either in their local communities or on a national level. It’s a concept called corporate citizenship, and when applied to Lunch for Life, a corporate citizenship campaign can have a huge impact.

Why? Business organizations across the country are seeking unique causes to which they can focus their employee and corporate philanthropic resources. And, many large organizations also offer matching gifts programs through which the company matches a certain percentage of each employee’s gift to a non-profit organization. Here’s how to get started.

Step 1:            Who is the decision maker about fundraising events in your office? It’s probably someone in upper management – a CEO, a President a Human Resources Manager or a Public Relations/Community Relations Manager. Once you have this information, set up a meeting with that decision maker to present your Lunch for Life proposal.

Step 2:            At the meeting, describe why Lunch for Life is important to you. In a larger office, the decision maker may not be aware of your story or why neuroblastoma has affected you personally. Show pictures or bring in something that is special to your favorite neuroblastoma patient.

Don’t be shy. Ask directly for the company’s support and explain what is involved with holding a Lunch for Life event. To make this easier, download the pdf below. This document provides step-by-step directions for planning a Lunch for Life event in an office with 50-200 employees.

At the end of the meeting, be prepared for one of four answers to your request:

• Yes! You can depend on our office to have a Lunch for Life event. I’ll take responsibility for planning, but I may need your support.
• Yes! You can depend on our office to have a Lunch for Life event, but we’ll need you to coordinate the planning.
• I will need to check with other members of the management team before committing. I’ll let you know soon what we decide.
• No. Unfortunately, we cannot hold a Lunch for Life event at the office at this time.

Step 3:      No matter the result of your meeting, be gracious. Make sure you thank the decision maker before you leave. Also send him/her a thank you note for meeting with you.

Step 4:      If the office will hold a Lunch for Life event, start planning (or help the person responsible for planning get started)! If the decision maker said no, don’t give up! Think about other office locations where you might seek out support and start fresh with new opportunities.

TIPS:

• If you’re unable to make an appointment with the corporate decision maker, send him/her a letter along with a Lunch for Life packet and the step-by-step instructions for hosting a Lunch for Life event. This is an easy way to reach out to a busy executive.
• Not comfortable asking for support directly? E-mail Mark Dungan at mdungan@lunchforlife.com with the decision maker’s contact information, and we’ll send a letter direct asking for support. Also let us know if we have permission to use your name in the letter.
• Think about a Lunch for Life event strategically. How can it help the company achieve an objective or improve customer/employee relations? Use that as a talking point when you make your pitch.
• Even if you won’t be personally responsible for planning your Lunch for Life event, make yourself available to the person who will be responsible. Remember that he/she will probably need plenty of support. Offer to help as much as you can.
• Don’t be discouraged when you’re told no. There may be extenuating circumstances that you are unaware of that prevent the company from participating in Lunch for Life. Whatever you do, remember that being declined does not mean the company does not value or support you.