“Others First” Friday: When Big Business Helps Out the Little Guy

I’ve mentioned before in this spot that I love when businesses, particularly local businesses, throw their weight behind good causes, either local or global.

But I also love when Fortune 500 companies walk the talk and do the same, particularly if they are empowering and supporting small causes, rather than just the usual suspects.

In particular, there is one large company that is utilizing its Social Media muscle in order to help charitable causes: Pepsi. (Another good example of this is Chase Community Giving).

Image via Wikipedia

In the case of Pepsi, the focus of their Facebook business page is their Pepsi Refresh Project. Each month, Pepsi allows you to submit your cause or idea to be considered for funding. The first 1000 ideas are then presented to the public for a vote, with $1.3 million dollars on the line. Two of the winning ideas will win $250k each, 10 will receive $50k, 10 will get $25k, and another 10 will get $5k each. Any idea, no matter how large or small, can be submitted. And over $5-million has been given away so far this year.

Image via Wikipedia

I love this idea. It’s a large corporation giving us a platform for our grassroots causes. This month I’m voting for a program from the Salvation Army of Knoxville that helps provide housing for homeless women and help them find employment. Why would I support a cause in Tennessee when I’m in Pennsylvania? Mostly because of Social Media connections. Late last year I blogged about the Salvation Army’s use of Social Media and I made an online connection with an individual at the Knoxville branch. I’ve never met him in person, but their cause is one I can fully get behind.

So why not vote and help The Salvation Army of Knoxville get $50k of funding from Pepsi to help out the homeless? You get 10 votes per day and can split them any way you want among various causes in each of the funding categories. And after you vote for this or another cause, Pepsi gives you the chance to tell others about it via Facebook, Twitter, or a variety of other social sharing services. This is the beauty of Social Media…the ability to help and share.

Also, consider submitting your own cause for consideration next month. What’s your favorite local cause? Does it deserve $250,000 or maybe you just need $5,000. Either way, I encourage you to apply, and I applaud Pepsi for creating this well thought out program and being the big guy that supports the little guy.

Oh, and one more thing: for one month only, Pepsi is committing an additional $1.3-million for ideas that help with the cleanup of the Gulf of Mexico, under the banner of Do Good for the Gulf.

Sure, Pepsi will be reaping the PR benefits of this campaign. They are getting a lot of publicity in the mainstream press and through countless bloggers like me, but at least they are doing something and putting their money where their mouth is. This type of promotion is not only good, but it is also good marketing. I can’t fault them for that.

Are there any ways that you and your business can use Social Media to support good causes and put others first?

Tagged as: Chase Community Giving, facebook, Marketing, Pepsi, Pepsi Refresh Project, Salvation Army, Social Media