Top Questions about the Sustainable Development Goals

1. What are the SDGs?

The 17 SDGs (sometimes called ‘The GlobalGoals’) is a collection of independent but interconnected goals carefully designed to give all of us on our planet a better future, with hundreds of targets and measurement indicators geared toward a date of 2030. The goals were created with businesses in mind, providing a path – what some people refer to as a “Pathway for Humanity” — for any business to harness their power by directing their efforts toward specific global objectives.

2. When is it the right time for my business to contribute to the SDGs?

For many businesses, this poses one of the greatest dilemmas. While the traditional belief may be to give only when you have enough for yourself, reality reflects that this notion causes us to repeatedly (and sometimes, indefinitely) postpone giving. And there's no better time than now, because we're getting closer to the 2030 deadline, and we need all hands on deck!

By adopting a variety of methods to give, your business can begin supporting the SDGs at any point you choose – here are some suggestions on how:

  • WHEN YOU ARE BUILDING YOUR CUSTOMER BASE:
    Inspiring motivation that goes beyond hitting targets in this stressful period may motivate you and your team to go further. For example, this can be done through giving towards one or more SDGs with every new customer, adding deeper meaning and purpose to your work.

  • WHEN YOUR BUSINESS IS GROWING(AND STARTING TO MAKE A PROFIT):
    This is one of the best opportunities to begin giving due to your increased capacity. By setting giving goals that are not centered around profits and the bottom line, you can add a dimension of meaning to your business and how it serves others.

  • WHEN YOUR BUSINESS IS STABLE:
    Given this stability and capacity, your business can explore and implement a variety of approaches, including ideas that can engage your customers and team in giving even more

3. How do I know which Sustainable Development Goal(s) I should support?

A simple way that has worked well for our members is to give to causes that support the SDG(s) you are passionate about. Choosing to do so is more likely to keep you engaged and motivated in your giving for a long time. Similarly, catering to the preferences of different employees in your company in terms of giving can have the same effects as well. Here are some ways you can do so:

  • Set a monthly giving budget for each employee to give to a non-profit organization supporting an SDG of their choice
  • Set up an employee account in B1G1 and let your employee give to any projects in the list of 400+ projects
  • Give a gift to the employee’s favorite SDG during their birthday

4. Should I focus on one, a few or all of the SDGs?

Inevitably, this depends on your company’s financial capacity as well as your own preference. We notice that some businesses prefer to focus on one or a few closely related SDGs.

For example, some may choose to give towards the SDGs that support increased social and economic benefits to a community. These includes:

  • SDG 4 - Quality Education
  • SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  • SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities
  • SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production

Alternatively, you may choose to support one SDG that resonates with you the most and pick a charitable organization that supports that SDG.

And of course, if you could afford to support all, why not?

5. Apart form contributing to causes, how else can I support the SDGs?

There are many ways you can contribute to the SDGs - from saving office energy to advocate for the cause.

The United Nations suggested a couple of ideas right here.

But if you'd love more suggestions, check out these 12 ways to contribute to the SDGs here.

6. SHOULD I TALK ABOUT MY GIVING?

Sometimes, members ask us whether their specific giving activities should be expressed clearly to their clients or if it should be shared more modestly.

While we cannot speak for everyone, our belief is that all B1G1 businesses give because they genuinely care and want to do great things with their business.

We encourage every business in B1G1 to communicate their motivation to support the SDGs. Doing so inspires others to begin learning more as well, and we believe that the only way for us to achieve the 2030 agenda is to do that together.

However, this does not necessarily mean that all businesses should trumpet how they carry out their giving. Some businesses prefer to keep details about their business’ giving activities private – which is perfectly fine. Other businesses choose to share their joy and gratitude of being a giving business with their teams and clients, appreciating the roles that they play in enabling the business to grow and create greater impacts together.


BONUS: TOP 3 QUESTIONS ABOUT B1G1

7. HOW DOES B1G1 SELECT THE PROJECTS IN ITS LIST?

Before charity organizations can list their projects on B1G1, they have to first ensure that they meet the requirements in the 2-tiered Worthy Cause criteria listed here. Following that, they will undergo our application process which involves completing a questionnaire and submission of documents such as a charity registration certificate, annual reports and audited accounts. All applications will be vetted by B1G1’s Giving Board, with the application of specific criteria to evaluate the organizations and the likelihood of them benefitting from our system.

8. HOW DOES B1G1 UPHOLD INTEGRITY IN THE HANDLING OF DONATIONS?

The membership model was purposefully implemented to ensure that any amount given by our business members is remitted in its entirety to your chosen causes.

Our Worthy Cause partners will then utilize these funds to run the projects accordingly – they are required to confirm this after every remittance. While the purpose of these funds would mainly be to support the running of projects, the Worthy Cause may also have to use a portion of them on administrative purposes that support their projects.

B1G1 also carries out an annual review on all projects to ensure that the existing projects are ongoing and still making great impacts on the ground.

9. WHY IS THERE A MEMBERSHIP FEE?

The membership system was created to keep B1G1 self-sustaining, accounting for all operational costs and enabling the development of great member tools and resources. It also empowers us to continue expanding our vision and the giving movement.

In addition, this system also allows us to remit 100% of members’ giving towards their selected projects. This maximizes the impact of our members’ giving and allows our Worthy Cause partners to utilize the full sum of giving intended for their projects.

The business arena is one of great diversity and creativity, where trends and new ideas are constantly forming and evolving as time passes, and where companies of all forms and sizes serve their unique purposes. As the philanthropic dimension of businesses becomes more mainstream and far more accessible than it might have been before, every company now has the power to give no matter its size or the phase it is going through.

What phase is your company at right now? Is it time to begin thinking about giving through your business? Let us know your questions in the comment section below too.


Nhi Do

Nhi managed all the marketing efforts at B1G1 and was the creator of a lot of the beautiful posts, images, and emails you see.

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