Connect With A Cause: Support Children’s Literacy and Empowerment

This is a guest post by Emily Moberly, CEO and Founder of Traveling Stories

In today’s world, a shopping decision does not rely entirely on price and quality. More and more people seek brands that are associated to a cause and make their decisions based on choosing companies that are in alignment with their values. This drive is even higher with millenials.

“Millennials would switch brands to one associated with a cause (91% vs. 85% U.S. average).” –— New Cone Communications Research

People are driven by their social engagement and social responsibility. Which is why it is becoming increasingly important for companies to support community causes and to be seen as a supporter of the underdog.

How to Choose a Cause?
There is a flurry of amazing causes all fighting for your attention! How do you bring it down to who you will pick? What should be your criteria?

1. Choose a 501c3 for the added benefit of making a tax deductible donation - in many cases your donation comes back via your tax return.
2. Choose a well-established organization where you know your money will not be pulled under water with a nonprofit potentially on the verge of closing their doors.
3. Pair up with values not only you believe in, but your clients and partners also support as you will become publicly associated with this nonprofit. Think of the negative backslash and how a viral tweet can make or break a company in 280 characters or less!

Why Choose Traveling Stories?
Traveling Stories is a 501c3 nonprofit established in 2009 and has been actively empowering kids to outsmart poverty since 2010.

Through our mobile StoryTent program we teach kids money management skills and help them fall in love with reading by the 4 grade. At the StoryTents, kids pick out books that interest them and read out loud with a volunteer. For every book read they earn a Book Buck, which can be redeemed for prizes. We currently serve over 3,000 local kids a year by our weekly programs in the greater San Diego area specifically in El Cajon, City Heights, La Mesa, Vista and Imperial Beach.

We serve kids ages 2-12 years old as from birth to 3rd grade, kids are learning how to read, and from 4th grade on they are reading to learn. Kids in low-income households who can’t read proficiently by 4th grade are 15 times more likely to dropout of school. Sadly, in the U.S., 82% of disadvantaged kids can’t read at grade level (Annie E Casey Foundation, NAEP)

Even more sad is the fact that about 2/3 of students who cannot read proficiently by the end of 4th grade will end up in jail or on welfare. (DoSomething.org)

Donation Levels
So many options to choose from! You can start with:

• Registering your company with Double the Donation to match your employees contributions
• Regularly providing groups of volunteers to read with kid
• Providing in-kind contributions such as silent auction gift items for our Annual Gala and Fundraiser or purchasing items on the kids’ wish list for the Book Buck prizes
• Sponsor a StoryTent and be seen by all our readers
• Become a partner of the Annual Gala and Fundraiser

No matter the level you will be associated to a cause that supports kids who need it the most in a very positive way. Being associated with Traveling Stories is being seen as a very upbeat company. Reading is sexy, and supporting kids can never be seen in a negative way.

And if you’re interested in sponsoring a StoryTent and becoming a Gala partner, we can offer you a 25% discount making your money stretch out even further!

Contact Emily Moberly, CEO and Founder, for more details. emily@travelingstories.org