Cause Marketing VS Corporate Social Responsibility

What is the difference between cause marketing and corporate social responsibility (CSR)?

Keep reading to find out more or watch a short video on the topic below:

What is cause marketing?

There are different definitions around the world but put simply, cause marketing is where a business undertakes some kind of marketing or sales campaign that includes a charitable component. For example, they might state in their marketing that they will donate a percentage or amount from of sales or profits to a particular charity.

What is corporate social responsibility (CSR)?

Corporate social responsibility generally has a much broader remit. It is defined as the voluntary action businesses take over and above legal requirements to manage and enhance economic, environmental and social impacts.

CSR has a far wider scope than supporting charities or local causes as it includes the conscious impact businesses aim to have on communities (e.g. in terms of infrastructure and supporting community projects), the environment (e.g. disposal of waste and materials or energy used), and the lives of people (their employees, customers and those in the community in which they operate).

As part of a wider CSR strategy, an organisation may decide to participate in charitable sales promotions or fundraising activities.

Is CSR or cause marketing only for big companies?

Just because corporate social responsibility includes the word corporate, it doesn’t mean that it’s only for large organisations. Small to medium-sized businesses are exploring how they can have a more positive social impact. In fact, smaller companies often have far more agility to implement social impact at the core of their business, culture, and brand.

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I also explain more about cause marketing and tips for growing a business by supporting causes in my Give-to-Profit Book and Podcast.

I’d love to hear your ideas and thoughts – please do share your comments and questions below.

P.S. You can subscribe to my YouTube channel HERE or my Give to Profit Facebook Fanpage HERE.

Often described as one of the most authentic and inspiring souls you can meet, Alisoun is on a mission to empower business owners and entrepreneurs to grow fulfilling profitable businesses that make a difference in the world.

Alisoun’s keynote talks, training, mentoring, and best-selling books and Heartatude: The 9 Principles of Heart-Centered Success have favorably changed the good fortune of thousands of people worldwide. She loves doing humanitarian work, fundraising and living by the beach in Scotland.

Alisoun is also the founder of The Heartabiz Hub a business training academy and has written the following free ebooks:

52 Ways to Raise Funds for Charities and Social Causes Through Your Business (click here)
101 Ways To Attract Great Clients, With Heart, Integrity & Social Impact (click here)
The 9 Secrets to Signing Up Clients Without Selling (click here)

You can connect with Alisoun here: