Page 24 - PWM2025_JUNE EBOOK

BETTER BUSINESS

Do good and

share it

It’s notable that the foundations of the three
Abrahamic religions – Christianity, Islam and
Judaism – are each bedded on doctrines that
require their adherents to do good for others, by
Adam Bernstein
ut the purpose of this UK. Its stated goals are “to provide
story is not to philoso- practical, emotional & financial sup-
phise about religious port for people in print, paper, pack-
teachings. Rather, it’s aging, graphics and publishing”.
to show that being And it does this through a free
B charitable can be good employee helpline; financial support
for the soul (and good for business for living costs; independent living at
too). two retirement homes that are part
The urge to be charitable is strong of the Almshouse Association; and
in the UK. According to the Charity helping grow the sector’s emerging
Commission, at the end of 2024, in young talent with skills training and
round numbers, there were 170,700 development.
charities in the UK along with 14,100 In 2023 the charity nationally
other linked organisations. The sec- spent £3m helping those who work
tor employs some 1.1m people or have worked in the sector through
assisted by 6.4m volunteers and 835 instances of grants and support.
924,500 trustees. Notably, it had Printweek wanted to understand
income of £98.3bn – yes, that’s right, what organisations in the sector are often it’s a function of “either one of our team having a connection or rele-
turnover was not far off a hundred themselves doing to further the cause vance to the charity, or just the feeling we have got on with the people we
billion pounds . of charity. And as we discovered, speak to, and the timing is right”. In other words, there is no exact science
And many in the world of print they’re doing quite a bit. to the help given.
have seen the value of being charita- In more detail, Baker says that the company sometimes provides design
ble with reasons given that align with CIM Signs & Graphics or manufacturing time free of charge. His reasoning is that it “helps a char-
those noted by the Charities Aid Mark Baker, managing director at ity get something of added value that perhaps would they not have spent
Foundation – that charity makes us CIM Signs & Graphics, has seen his money on but could gain them revenue, noticeability or an asset for the
feel good, strengthens personal val- company’s charitable works grow longer term”.
ues, tax relief improves the impact of over time. Where once the firm On top of that, CIM staff help organise events or run their own events to
giving, it rubs off on others, and would help with a free banner at a raise awareness and funds for charities. Baker recognises that this comes at
importantly, it can build and local event or waiving artwork the firm’s expense but considers it an opportunity for staff to step away
strengthen communities. charges on a charity project – it now from the day-to-day job to learn and develop. It should be said that the com-
Not unsurprisingly the world of often partners on projects and sup- pany also sponsors or donates money.
print has its own dedicated charity – plies labour or works in kind where And the efforts pay off. Baker details that in one instance the company
The Printing Charity. CIM’s branding is also displayed. grew £250 to £4,500 through a mix of running, sponsoring and connecting
Set up in 1827 as the Printers’ Baker explains: “It was mainly four challenges where it got to explain who the charity was and its purpose
Charitable Corporation by George born from if someone needed our – plus “we got to pack gift boxes and hear the stories of cancer survivors
and Charles Searle and their help, and we believed and liked the and those who volunteer after losing loved ones”. Further, CIM helped
employer, John King, an independ- project or the people, we would do with awareness with branding the charity’s vans to help it get noticed.
ent printer, in the Kings Head Tavern what we could.” Something else CIM does is to produce a calendar. Previously used to
in Poultry, London, it is one of the Deciding on which organisations promote CIM and what it did, having run out of ideas the firm began to gift
oldest benevolent charities in the to help is simple says Baker. Very the monthly space to charities. As Baker says: “This isn’t giving money, but

24 PrintWeek MENA June 2025 www.printweekmena.com