When Meg Cadoux Hirshberg, Founder of the Anticancer Lifestyle Program, had her first breast cancer recurrence in 2008, 7 years after her original diagnosis, she began actively searching for what she could do to stay healthy. Meg was frustrated by the lack of resources that were out there to support one who has received a cancer diagnosis.
Meg started her own digging and research on the internet and found it was hard to discern fact from fiction. She finally discovered a book written by a physician that contained the first evidence-based information she’d seen about how lifestyle habits—the choices we make every day—can influence the odds of getting cancer or cancer recurrence.
Woman in front of large rock looking pensive.
After putting to practice these healthy tips, Meg felt empowered by her ability to participate in her wellbeing and began to feel healthier in general. This experience spurred her to create the Anticancer Lifestyle Program, a FREE comprehensive, evidence-based lifestyle transformation program that helps those who’ve had a cancer diagnosis and those interested in disease prevention to improve their natural defences against disease. Meg was able to afford the program launch by recycling some of the money her family had gained from the sale of their company, Stonyfield Farm Yogurt. She considers her nonprofit effort to be an extension of the company’s mission to promote health and wellbeing.
Meg recognized the need to serve her community and wanted to offer a barrier-free resource center to help others experiencing the challenges that cancer brought. The course is easily accessible online and offers tools and information to make lifestyle changes in diet, fitness, mindset, and environment.
We are living in a business world where becoming a more socially aware business is more commonplace. Business owners are recognizing the importance of creating sustainable businesses that give back to the community.
If you are considering building a philanthropic business model into your portfolio, consider a few of these funding models:
1. A donation-based business model
When offering a free service for people to use, it is suggested that you leave a place where people can leave donations
2. Pay what you can model
People who use the service benefit from the service, and some can afford to pay for the service, and some can’t. The idea is to barrier-free, and when you leave a note or pay what you can, it brings out the support in people who want to help you keep your mission alive.
3. Find sponsorship from profitable businesses whose interests are aligned with yours
Companies that have offers that your patrons may need is a great way to approach sponsorships.
4. Creating partnerships with other businesses that can support your mission
Building partnerships with businesses who may want to use your services, such as employee training, or employee resources, may pay you for access.
5. Obtain grant funding
Often government programs are available to access grant money in support of your cause and are in the position to offer to fund.
The bottom line is that these are just a few suggestions for obtaining funding for your philanthropic adventure. Wanting to provide a service that will help and benefit others at no cost is impossible. There will always be costs associated with providing a service for free. There are website costs, educational platforms, advertising, and the list goes on.
Philanthropy is highly encouraged, and it’s wonderful to give back to the community, so don’t let the financial strain of building a resource hold you back. Know that there are numerous and creative ways to obtain funding to offer an invaluable resource to others out of a desire to give back to the community.
