Philanthropic Proposal – Lance Armstrong Foundation

Philantropic Proposal – Lance Armstrong Foundation

The company where I work is a growing indoor cycling studio chain called SpinCity, based in Philadelphia, with multiple clubs located in New York City, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Miami, and the Washington, D.C. area. Our mission revolves around promoting health, wellness, and an active lifestyle through engaging indoor cycling classes designed for all fitness levels. We aim to create an inclusive environment that encourages community building, physical health, mental well-being, and personal achievement through our innovative cycling programs. The company's culture emphasizes social responsibility, community engagement, and supporting causes aligned with health and fitness pursuits.

Given our company's focus on health and community wellness, I propose that we establish a strategic philanthropic partnership with the Lance Armstrong Foundation, now known as LIVESTRONG Foundation. This organization is dedicated to cancer survivorship, education, and awareness—causes that resonate with our mission of promoting healthier lives. It offers unique opportunities for our staff and members to actively participate through engaging activities beyond simple volunteering, strengthening our company's social impact while fostering employee engagement and brand loyalty.

Recommendation Overview

I recommend launching a month-long fundraising event titled “Tour de SpinCity” during June, coinciding with National Cancer Survivor’s Day. This initiative involves our six studios and encourages members to donate $25, with various incentives based on participation and performance. The event features cycling competitions: tallying miles cycled, attendance at classes, and overall engagement, with attractive prizes such as free memberships. This approach ensures ongoing involvement, creates a fun and competitive atmosphere, and directly supports the foundation’s mission. To further motivate staff, instructors will be offered additional pay for their participation and promotion of the event.

Alignment with Company's Mission and Values

Supporting the LIVESTRONG Foundation aligns perfectly with SpinCity’s core values of promoting health, vitality, and community well-being. Cancer survivorship advocacy complements our focus on mental and physical health, offering our members a meaningful cause. The event will foster a sense of community, purpose, and shared commitment to health beyond the studio walls, reinforcing our brand as a socially responsible leader in fitness and wellness. Additionally, it exemplifies strategic philanthropy—engaging in a cause that strengthens our business, increases visibility, and creates a positive social impact.

Operational Details and Engagement Strategies

Members will participate by logging their miles during classes or through designated cycling activities within June. They will donate $25 to support LIVESTRONG, with the option to qualify for prizes based on total miles and class attendance. The event promotes ongoing engagement—members will be motivated to attend more classes, enhance their fitness journey, and connect with the cause. Staff involvement includes promoting the event, organizing competitions, and incentivizing participation with prizes and additional pay for instructors with the highest engagement.

Financially, the company's costs are estimated at $6,600 for prizes, promotional materials, and instructor incentives. To maximize impact and goodwill, the company will consider matching member donations, further amplifying the total funds raised. The foundation's strong financial health and efficient operations, with 80.2% of funds allocated to programs and only $0.05 required to raise each dollar, ensure that donations are effectively used in cancer education, survivorship programs, and research according to Charity Navigator’s evaluations.

Business Benefits and Strategic Advantages

Implementing this partnership offers multiple business benefits. It will likely increase client engagement, attracting new members and encouraging existing ones to be more active, thus boosting revenue. The event fosters employee morale, teamwork, and loyalty by involving staff in socially meaningful activities. Supporting a reputable cause like LIVESTRONG enhances our brand image, demonstrating our commitment to community health and social responsibility. Community recognition and media coverage associated with the event can elevate our company’s profile, attracting partners and customers who value corporate philanthropy.

This initiative also aligns with strategic philanthropy principles, offering tax deductions for charitable contributions, employee engagement, and positive brand image. Extended beyond June, this event could become an annual tradition, positioning SpinCity as a leader in corporate social responsibility within the fitness industry. The long-term reputation benefits include stronger community ties, increased client retention, and differentiation from competitors.

Cost Breakdown and Implementation Timeline

  • Prizes (free memberships, gift cards): $4,200
  • Event promotion materials (flyers, digital media): $1,200
  • Instructor incentives (additional pay for top performers): $1,200
  • Miscellaneous administrative costs: $600

Total estimated cost: $6,600. The event would commence at the beginning of June, with promotional activities starting at the end of May. Ongoing tracking of members’ miles and attendance would be managed through studio software, with weekly updates and competitive leaderboards to maintain motivation. Concluding with an award ceremony and media outreach, this campaign can effectively bolster our community presence and internal morale.

Conclusion

Partnering with the LIVESTRONG Foundation through the “Tour de SpinCity” event aligns seamlessly with SpinCity’s mission to foster health and community spirit. It offers compelling opportunities for employee engagement, enhances our brand reputation, and demonstrates corporate social responsibility. The estimated investment of $6,600 is a strategic, well-structured expenditure that maximizes both social impact and business growth. I strongly recommend moving forward with this plan to make a meaningful difference in the fight against cancer while simultaneously elevating our company's community profile and profitability.

References

  • Charity Navigator. (2023). LIVESTRONG Foundation profile. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/205134502
  • American Cancer Society. (2013). Cancer statistics. https://www.cancer.org/research/cancer-statistics.html
  • Strategic Philanthropy: Aligning Business and Social Impact. (2017). Harvard Business Review.
  • Booth, R. (2019). Corporate partnerships for social good. Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility.
  • Small Business Administration. (2022). Corporate social responsibility and its impact on business growth. https://www.sba.gov
  • Godel, R. (2020). Best practices in corporate giving. Nonprofit Quarterly.
  • Palmer, D. (2021). Employee engagement through corporate philanthropy. HR Magazine.
  • Brown, L. (2018). Strategic volunteering: a guide for businesses. Stanford Social Innovation Review.
  • Johnson, M. (2022). Branding and community engagement strategies. Journal of Marketing.
  • Legal considerations in corporate philanthropy. (2019). Business Law Today.

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