Have you heard of the Ice Bucket Challenge? I thought so. Here are seven ways businesses can ACT NOW to support the challenge and raise money to fight ALS!

Make a Cash Donation

People claim that companies don't donate enough money. They're also complaining that the Ice Bucket Challenge is wasting a lot of water and not raising a lot of money. Companies can correct two misconceptions at once. 

Here's a challenge for when you make your donation. Donate to a local organization that supports ALS patients and caregivers. Identify and support the ones in your community.

Last week, I discovered one right here in Boston. The ALS Therapy Development Institute. I had never heard of them. But the Ice Bucket Challenge gave me the opportunity to meet and to learn more about their mission.

Resource: Visit Guidestar for a Listing of ALS Nonprofits in Your Area

The conundrum of retail fundraising is that you can raise millions at checkout. But your success hinges on the support of an underpaid and uncertain ally: cashiers. Fortunately, your friend is their friend. Jennifer Askjaer and Sally George of Swell Giving Explain how social impact can soothe the savage beast.

We've all stood in a checkout line and been asked: ”Would you like to donate a $1 to this worthy cause?”  

Most of us have said yes on some occasion, either motivated by the public shaming or a true desire to help. Whatever the reasons, there are plenty of donors out there keeping checkout fundraising alive.  In fact, these campaigns raised $358 million in 2014. That's a dollar from every man, woman and child in America!

The true power of these campaigns isn’t the customer’s open wallet, but the "ask" from the cashier. The person ringing up your groceries is also bagging millions for causes. 

Millennials, social business and media and mobile are converging to create a golden age of good. Here’s how nonprofits can thrive in a world turned right-side up.

I’m kind of bummed that there won’t be a zombie apocalypse anytime soon. I’ve watched so many shows and movies about zombies that I’m sure I know enough to survive in a world turned upside down. What I’m unsure of is if I’ll ever get a chance to outrun a zombie, or to relish my stockpiles of food and supplies. Sigh.

I realized all this one night when I was watching my favorite TV show The Walking Dead. Amidst all the violence, despair and feeding zombies, I thought: “There’s no zombie apocalypse coming. The future will be more good than bad. It will be a….Goodpocalypse.”

I’m not trying to be cute, or making this up. When it comes to cause marketing I’m always looking for what’s next for the field. Instead, I stumbled on what’s next for humankind: a golden age of good.

Get started with cause marketing from the comfort of your beach towel or chair. You'll raise six-figures in September!

I’ve been relaxing in my garden.

It's been a busy year and I'm looking forward to just hanging out - and gardening - in July and August.

I’m sure you're planning your own downtime.

But I bet you're thinking of September and all that money you have to raise from businesses. I know, the boss is on your back and it's only July. I used to have a boss, too, you know. I remember the drill.

But here's something the boss won't tell you: relax, chill. I got your back.

In this post, I'll guide you to six-figure success this fall.

Let's get started by laying the groundwork of what cause marketing is (aka fundraising with businesses).