When I started my first business back in 1998, my only focus was survival. I was selling HP toner cartridges to large corporations like Coca-Cola, Bayer, and Lockheed Martin. Every day was about making the next sale and keeping the lights on. Over the years, as I built more stability and eventually launched Belief Marketing Services, my perspective started to shift. I began to see that a business can be more than just a way to earn a living — it can be a tool to make a real difference in the lives of others.
That’s where philanthropy came in. Giving back wasn’t just a nice add-on to my business; it became part of its DNA. And I’ve found that when you build a company with a purpose beyond profit, you create growth in ways you might not expect.
Philanthropy Starts with People
At its core, business is about people — the clients you serve, the employees you work with, and the community you’re part of. Too often, companies separate their charitable work from their day-to-day operations, treating it like a side project. I see it differently.
When I founded Cash In Time Ministries, the goal was simple: help people who were on the fringe of society, the ones who didn’t have a safety net when life hit hard. These were people facing eviction, utility shut-offs, or empty refrigerators. We stepped in to cover rent, pay bills, and put food on the table when there was nowhere else to turn.
The impact of that work doesn’t just stay within the nonprofit. It flows back into the business because it changes the way you think about service. When you’re used to listening to someone’s story and finding a way to meet a basic need, you naturally carry that mindset into every client conversation. You start to see your business as more than a transaction.
Giving Builds Trust and Loyalty
One thing I’ve learned is that when people see you investing in the community, it changes how they view your business. It builds trust. Clients want to know you’re not just taking from the community but giving back to it.
For example, I’ve had potential clients tell me they chose to work with Belief Marketing Services because they heard about our nonprofit work. It wasn’t that they didn’t care about lead generation — they just liked the idea of partnering with a company that shared their values. In that sense, philanthropy becomes a competitive advantage. It gives people one more reason to do business with you over someone else.
Loyalty works the same way internally. Team members want to feel like they’re part of something meaningful. When they know the company they work for is committed to helping others, it gives them a deeper sense of pride and ownership in their role. That kind of loyalty can’t be bought — it’s earned by showing you care about more than your bottom line.
Purpose Drives Performance
Some might say philanthropy is a distraction from profit, but I’ve found the opposite to be true. Having a mission that extends beyond revenue actually makes you more motivated to succeed. It gives you a reason to push harder, because you know the more your business grows, the more you can give.
When I see the difference Cash In Time Ministries can make for a family in crisis, it reminds me why I’m willing to work late or take on a challenging project. That extra effort pays off, not just in revenue but in the satisfaction of knowing the success of my business is directly tied to helping others.
This purpose-driven approach also inspires creativity. You start thinking differently about growth — not just in terms of numbers, but in terms of impact. That mindset leads to better ideas, stronger strategies, and a more sustainable business model.
Philanthropy Strengthens Your Network
Giving back connects you to people you might never meet otherwise. Through my nonprofit, I’ve built relationships with community leaders, other business owners, and local organizations who share the same commitment to service. Those connections often turn into partnerships, collaborations, and even new business opportunities.
It’s not about giving with the expectation of getting something in return — but the reality is, when you’re out in the community making a difference, people notice. And when they trust you in that setting, they’re more likely to trust you in business.
Making It Part of Your Business Model
The key to making philanthropy work for your business is to weave it into your company’s identity. For me, that means openly sharing what Cash In Time Ministries does and making it clear that Belief Marketing Services exists to fuel that mission as much as to generate profit.
That could look different for every business. Some companies donate a percentage of profits, others dedicate employee time to volunteer work, and some focus on offering their products or services at reduced or no cost to those in need. The important thing is to make it consistent.
When giving is built into your business model, it becomes part of the culture. It’s not something you do when it’s convenient — it’s something you do because it’s who you are.
The Growth That Really Matters
Looking ahead, I know that my company will continue to evolve, just like the markets we serve. But no matter how the business changes, philanthropy will remain at the center. Because growth isn’t just about hitting higher revenue numbers or landing bigger clients. It’s about making a bigger impact.
The truth is, when you build a business that gives back, you’re creating a cycle where success fuels generosity and generosity fuels more success. That’s a win-win in my book. And over the years, I’ve come to believe that’s the kind of growth worth chasing — the kind that changes lives, not just balance sheets.