Companies reap rewards of charitable efforts even in tough times
TAMPA — When business is booming, companies often give back to their communities and along the way build employee morale and create a positive image. But when business is slow, staffs are sparse and finances are tight, those same companies evaluate whether it is still feasible to commit time and resources to charitable works.
Judging by the growth of Tampa nonprofit Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay Inc., the answer is yes.
RTTB, which restores the residences of low-income families around the Tampa Bay area, is taking on greater numbers of homes each year with growing community support.
“There’s a need,” said Executive Director Jose Garcia. “There are too many people out there in need of our services, in need of our help.”
RTTB repaired only 17 homes in 2000, its first year. But in 2009, 70 homes were repaired, and in 2010, Garcia expects that number to be close to 100.
About 3,484 volunteers helped out in 2009, up from 432 in 2007, the year Garcia joined the organization.
In addition to sending volunteers, some companies, such as bathroom remodeling firm Re-Bath of Tampa Bay, offer materials and expertise.
“Any time we are giving materials and labor away there’s a bottom line cost to that,” said Neil Zielinski, Re-Bath director of sales and marketing. “But the owners are adamant about trying to give back to the community.”
Re-Bath, in its first year remodeling bathrooms for RTTB, currently is working on several homes in St. Petersburg.
Re-Bath staff benefit from exposure to like-minded companies and individuals, Zielinski said.
“It’s allowed us to meet folks and to have some networking opportunities — but it wasn’t about trying to get business out of it,” he said.
West Coast Remodelers & Construction Inc. has strengthened relationships with vendors and subcontractors by participating in RTTB projects, said VP Doug King.
A typical project could involve a floor refinishing company, a carpenter and a drywall company, among other subcontractors.
“They all dive in and help out,” King said. “It’s great to see so many people come out and help us.”
The company learned about RTTB through the National Association of the Remodeling Industry Tampa Bay Chapter and started doing work for them in 2009.
Now, RTTB will approach West Coast Remodelers for assistance on a routine basis, King said.
“We’re the professionals. We know what we’re doing. It’s better that we’re involved than some individual person who might not do it right,” King said.
A home renovation involves elements beyond construction and remodeling, such as smoke detector installation, landscaping and pest control.
Nvirotect Pest Control Services Inc. first got involved with RBBT during Kickoff to Rebuild, an effort to improve 15 West Tampa homes around Super Bowl XLIII.
Since then, Nvirotect has provided services for nearly every single home RTTB renovates. RTTB in turn has promoted Nvirotect as a vendor, featuring the firm on its website, said Nvirotect Co-owner Seth Garber.
Read more: Companies reap rewards of charitable efforts even in tough times – Tampa Bay Business Journal
Garber said the company took on the work to do the right thing, not to receive exposure. It’s led the firm to do other work in the community like adopt parks and medians.
“It’s been inspiring,” Garber said. “My staff is eager about new social responsibility projects.”
Finding the resources to help out has not been difficult for Nvirotect, Garber said, because the company is in good financial shape.
In some cases, RTTB will reimburse companies for their efforts, Garcia said, and in this sense is a source of business opportunities in the community.
Growth rate
Construction, financial and insurance companies are RTTB’s greatest champions, Garcia said.
While volunteerism is at the heart of RTTB’s mission, several companies provide substantial financial support, which is necessary because an average home renovation costs between $10,000 and $15,000.
“They come from everywhere,” Garcia said. “You have corporations that provide funding or [want] to create teambuilding opportunities for the employee.”
Contributions from Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM) and Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC) make up roughly 40 percent of RTTB’s income, Garcia said.
“They really write big checks for us to do these projects,” he said.
RTTB also received county and city support, receiving $225,000 from Hillsborough County, $100,000 from the City of Tampa, and project-based support from the City of St. Petersburg ranging from $30,000 to $45,000 per project, Garcia said.
This allows RTTB to take on greater numbers of homes and larger homes.
RTTB’s budget, which was $325,000 in 2009, will be around $450,000 in 2010, not including in-kind donations.
INFO
Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay budget (ending June 30)
2008: $177,000
2009: $255,000
2010: $325,000
Annual volunteers
2007: 432
2008: 1,232
2009: 3,484
REBUILDING TOGETHER TAMPA BAY INC.
Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay Inc. is one of 208 chapters of Rebuilding Together Inc. in Washington. The national nonprofit bills itself the nation’s leading
nonprofit preserving affordable homeownership and
revitalizing communities.
