Headquartered in Eugene, Oregon, Holt International is one of the country's oldest and most prestigious adoption agencies specializing in international adoption. I just received the Fall 2006 edition of Holt's quarterly magazine, and I was impressed with an article profiling Larry Blackmar, a realtor in Portland, Oregon, who has been committing 15 percent of his real estate commissions every year to Holt. He called this contribution a "combination of of my passion for my family, my community, and a job I enjoy every day."
In the article, Blackmar said, "Through Holt International's help we experienced firsthand the thrill of bringing two beautiful girls into our home. We also experienced the dramatic need for more adoptive parents and foster care programs to care for so many more children."
I admire Blackmar because his contribution comes from the heart and his fixed-percentage contribution to Holt is generous and straightforward. It's also a great example of how to leverage charity to create positve buzz. His print advertisements, which specify the percentage of the commission that he gives to Holt, stand out from the vast majority of real estate ads which feature grinning agents with undifferentiated ad copy. Professionals and entrepreneurs who clearly explain their generosity in marketing materials might be surprised with the goodwill and good business that their contributions inspire.
Comments