What is the 'Give Stoke' program?
A program for businesses, and the business community, to be recognized and celebrated for all of their contributions to our community!
You ALL 'give stoke' through support of community organizations and initiatives through in-kind donations, volunteerism, sharing of skills or sponsorship and in so many more ways. The business community is so appreciated and this community support needs to be shouted from the rooftops! Due to safety & legal concerns, we have been advised NOT to climb any rooftops and instead have created this program so that the 'give stoke' emblem becomes the symbol of pride that is recognized throughout our community!
A further goal of the program is to help align businesses with the groups or initiatives that best reflect their missions and social values.
How can my business participate in the program?
The first step is signing a pledge to donate at least one percent of your business’s profits to charitable purposes. Once you’ve done that, you’ll be given window stickers and digital versions of the “Give Stoke” logo to use in your marketing. You’ll also be listed on the Give Stoke webpage as a participating business.
What happens next?
Go out and give back! Keep records of your financial contributions, donations in kind, and the time you and your employees invest in non-profit initiatives (at the rate of $25/hr).
At the end of the year, you’ll be asked to report on whether you met the 1% target and the split between the time, money, and donations in kind you contributed.
Will I have to show my financial statements or business records?
No, not at all! The Give Stoke program works on an honour system.
Do I have to contribute to certain organizations or causes?
No! It’s important for you to support entities or causes that align with your values and mission. Feel free to give to any cause – whether it be an individual or a registered society, within Revelstoke or international.
I already give much more than 1% of my profits.
Excellent! Keep it up! If you participate in Give Stoke, you’ll get further recognition of your contributions to the community.
We plan to recognize businesses that contribute at least $1,500 to the community with a Gold membership.
Will Give Stoke handle money or donations for me?
No, Give Stoke will not handle cash or contributions. That should be done directly with the charitable entity.
I don’t know where to contribute to. Can The Chamber help?
Revelstoke is home to many excellent non-profit organizations and community groups.
In the future, it is our hope to expand this program to include matching business to organizations that need help. We’d also like to host Give Stoke work days where participating businesses can come together to donate time towards a worthwhile project (downtown cleanup, trail maintenance, event volunteer, etc).
How do I sign up?
Complete the attached
pledge form
and return to us. Businesses can pledge to this program at any time of the year:)
Have ideas, thoughts or feedback on this program?
We anticipate program details to be finessed and evolve as we move forward with this new and exciting way to celebrate our business community so feedback is welcomed!
Many thanks to Aimee Schalles with Mackenzie Peak Law Group for pitching the idea & concept to your Board of Directors!
