Generous or Not: Tom's of Maine

About Generous or Not

Many companies promise to make a charitable donation with each purchase. But how much do they give?, Are they really doing good, or are these just cynical ploys to capture our money? How do you know if the companies are GenerousOrNot? That’s what we’re here for.

If companies want to promise that our purchases will do good in the world, we think they should say exactly what they’ll do. What percent of sales, what percent of profits, or what amount per purchase? We did the research. Read on to find the info you need. If you know of other offers for us to list, please email us at submit@GenerousOrNot.org

Of course, when you buy merchandise from a company that donates some small percentage to a nonprofit, well, only that small percentage of your money is helping make the world a better place.

Further, many of our friends have enough fruitcakes, picture frames and pen & pencil sets. They just don't want more stuff, even if some portion does go to charity. A better way to honor them and to do a lot more good might be to make a donation in their name.

A new website, www.ChangingThePresent.org, makes it easy and meaningful. You can choose not just what nonprofit to support, but exactly what you want to accomplish, e.g., an hour of a cancer researcher’s time, books for children, drugs for AIDS patients, shelter for the homeless, computers for schools, polio vaccines, meals for the homebound elderly, acres of the rainforest, etc. Wish lists, registries and personalized printed greeting cards make it even better and easier.

Imagine what we could accomplish if we could capture for nonprofits even a little bit of the $250 billion that Americans spend each year on birthday, wedding, and holiday gifts.

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Tom's of Maine

Tom’s of Maine
The Tom's of Maine Giving for Goodness Grant Program
Tom's of Maine was founded on a heritage of philanthropy. Through our Giving for Goodness Grant Program, we have been committed to donating 10% of our pretax profits each year to charitable organizations and encouraging our employees to spend 5% of their paid work time volunteering in the community. Our belief in three central principles—inherent worthiness, sharing, and accountability—are reflected in our Mission and Statement of Beliefs.
We believe in supporting the inherent worth of an organization and recognize that people are the critical element in the success of a mission. For this reason, our grants focus on core mission and leadership development goals.

Company explanation: http://www.tomsofmaine.com/toms/community/grants.asp

Donation: 10% of pre-tax profits

Nonprofit beneficiary: Various non-profits, through grant application process

Use of funds: Varies per non-profit

When: Ongoing

About Generous or Not

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

Tom's of Maine

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