1.   Identify your target customer.
If people who support a certain type of charity aren’t likely to buy your product, you’re wasting your time. Start backward by first identifying the age, income bracket, and lifestyle characteristics of those who will most likely support your product.2.   Learn customers’ interests. Once you know your
customers you can determine their favorite causes. If most of your customers are in their early 20s, it might not make sense to partner with a PTA. You’ll want to find organizations that serve people similar to your current customer base.3.   Have a stake in the group’s success.
Remember that the group you partner with reflects upon you as a business owner. Make sure the organization is one you can stand behind since customers will judge you based on the organizations your business publicly supports.Tamara E. Holmes is a frequent contributor to Black Enterprise.