Community engagement and corporate social responsibility are two of RHINO.cas core values, and we believe every action builds upon another to make a huge difference: Whether you can contribute a little or a lot, it all helps. We always make time to serve our clients, and we take the same approach when it comes to giving back.
When it comes to corporate philanthropy many organizations suffer from tunnel vision – or the belief that they are too small to help, and that once they are successful then they will help. They may write the odd cheque or attend a fundraising event here and there, but true corporate leadership means getting involved on many other levels. You must give away what you want. Want more love, love people, want more wealth, give away money, want respect, respect people.
One Vancouver marketing firm is leading the way in raising the level and quality of corporate philanthropy and community engagement. “Ihe team at RHINO.ca has taken an integrated approach to community building by blending financial support with creative and sustainable partnerships, hands – on work in the community and groundbreaking charitable initiatives. They use the power of leverage and momentum to expand their reach in the community and explore ways to increase the value of relationships with their clients and suppliers, far beyond strictly business.RHINO.ca is a boutique marketing agency with a big reach, and they are committed to working with companies who give back and get involved. Their approach goes well beyond what they can do today, instead looking ahead to how partnerships can benefit the community and inspire other companies to mobilize on a philanthropic level. “One of our selection criteria for partners and vendors is, do they share some of the same values?” said Doug Morneau, RHINO.cas Chief Rhino. “I think everyone has something to offer, regardless of the size of their business, and we ask our vendors and partners to join us in corporate and personal giving.” Their list of clients and suppliers ranges from small businesses to international brands, and whether time, money, goods or services, RHINO.ca believes each one can contribute something of value.
When RHINO.ca started working with New Yorks Lake Group Media in early 2000, Morneau was not shy about asking, in addition to their business services, what the company could offer. “It was easy to offer to support our fundraiser for homelessness while having a glass of wine and cigar in Manhattan, but I followed up and they came to Vancouver as a sponsor, brought a cheque, and helped us out.” Since then, Lake Group Media agreed to sponsor a number of not – for – profit initiatives in which RHINO.ca is involved. During a visit to Vancouver earlier this year, the management team from Lake Group Media made a contribution to the Canucks for Kids Fund, an organization with whom RHINO.ca works closely.
While Morneau was ironing out the details of RHINO.cas ground breaking partnership with Canucks Sports & Entertainment, he wanted to ensure there was a significant charitable component to the deal. He liked what the organization did off the ice and out in the community, and recognized the potential impact the partnership would have on RHINO.cas community engagement side. As the first ever sponsor of the Canucks for Kids Fund 50/50 draw at each home game, RHINO.ca developed a strategy to allow non – profit organizations to benefit.
At respective home games earlier this season, volunteers from the Hope for Freedom Society, SHARE Family & Community Services Society, and Crossroads Hospice Society were invited to help sell Canucks for Kids Fund 50/50 tickets, and then take in the remainder of the game from a hospitality suite. The sessions were designed to promote leadership and team building for the volunteers, management, and staff of the charities, as well as increase the visibility of the non – profits by publicly recognizing them at the time of the draw.
Morneau is passionate about helping non – profits harness the power of the internet and its potential impact on their fundraising efforts, and is committed to helping them boost their profile and revenues. He often makes his teams expertise available to provide charities with the tools they need to reach their fundraising goals, and opens up RHINO.cas state – of – the – art video production studio to help increase their presence in the media and online. “We recognize we have the marketing know how, technology, and resources to help these charities bring in money,” said Morneau. “If were in, were in 110%, well help promote the event via personal and business contacts and in every media, sell tickets, bring our team, vol – unteer, donate our services, get other sponsors and prizes, and write a cheque.”
Heather Morneau, who heads up RHINO.cas Community Engagement side, has been busy. Besides directing the firms corporate giving and sponsorship strategies, she serves on the planning committees for a number of nonprofit organizations. Currently RHINO.ca is aligned with organizations such as Sport ВС, Canucks for Kids bund, Crossroads Hospice Society, SHARE Family & Community Services, Douglas College Foundation, and Hope for Freedom Society, and offer their support on a variety of levels.
“Of course financial support is essential, but it is important to get involved on a grass – roots level as well,” said Heather Morneau. “Whether its offering to sit on a committee, lending your expertise or donating auction items, your contribution is valuable and appreciated.”
Over the past year, RHINO.ca has expanded their Community Engagement efforts to include the acquisition of sports memorabilia and encouraging players and other sports personalities to sign them. These unique items are donated as key items in auctions or raffles, and raise significant awareness and funds for RHINO.cas many community partners.
“Many of our partners come to us and ask how they can get involved with our community projects,” said Heather Morneau. That was the case with VIP Travel, who in 2010 approached RHINO.ca asking what charities they could support by donating trips for auctions and raffles at fundraising events. What began as in – kind donations has since grown to also include corporate sponsorship of a handful of fundraising initiatives for organizations like Crossroads Hospice Society.
RHINO.cas next philanthropic venture will be setting up a Canadian Foundation to further leverage fundraising opportunities for the non – profits they support. Like many of RHINO.cas other partners, Blakes, who is setting up the foundation, have agreed to contribute their time pro bono.
“I subscribe to the belief that to whom much is given, much is expected,” Doug Morneau added. “Whether its wealth or ability, as Canadians, we are rich compared to the world and I challenge the business community to step up and get involved.”
