Using a Not for Profit Appeal for Marketing

[ahpellett]

As part of my marketing efforts, I'd like to pitch to potential readers (buyers) that I will make a donation of X% to such and such not-for-profit organization for all 2013 purchases.

Sounds great, right? This is not some bait and switch. I plan to be totally above board on this and will make the donation.

Well it may be stickier than it first appears. While this is a fairly common appeal by businesses, I'm wondering about the legalities of using the org's name? I'm thinking of putting the appeal in a blog post and perhaps a banner on my blog mentioning the same.

I know most of you are not attorneys, but if you know how I might go about this the best way, I'd be thrilled to hear what you think is the right approach. Should I just put the pitch out there? Do I need the org's permission? Am I just being too careful?

Everyone can weigh in, but attorney's opinions are most welcome.

[Julie Harris]

A motivational speaker/author friend of mine does this all the time, mentions the name of the charity and percentage of royalties that she'll donate.

[Ted]

You could create the pitch on your blog/web site/twitter/facebook/linkedint/etc/ then contact the media representative for the charity and tell them what you are doing to promote awareness of their cause. The charity may say thanks but no thanks, or they may be grateful for any additional awareness of their cause.

I would be cautious about the marketing methods, bearing in mind the charity's brand name is at stake as well as your own.

[ahpellett]

Ted - Your suggestions about using social media is where I've been planning on going with the idea - I really anticipate little beyond that. But can I even do that without their ok? i.e. Is it ok to post to the blog and ask forgiveness later (I can't imagine anything I say would put the org in a bad light). I just don't want to be accused of using their name without permission (maybe I've answered my own question here ... the org is so big that knowing who to contact is the difficult part and as I'm trying to help them too makes me want to think they'd appreciate my help).

Any more thought on whether to take the cart or horse first is appreciated.

PS Thanks for your input, Jules!

[Ted]

Ahpellett, contact their media representative. They will have the answer.