#RapidsCares | Rapids & Affiliates Charitable Contributions and Sponsorship Policy

As a member of the business community, Rapids & Affiliates social responsibility is to support local, nonprofit community organizations by providing financial contributions, in-kind services, and volunteer support. In keeping with our corporate mission, we strive to strengthen our bond with the community by supporting organizations focused on families, veteran services and education.

The Charitable Contributions and Sponsorship Policy ensures that all Rapids & Affiliates donations, sponsorships, company volunteer activities, and in-kind services are coordinated and aligned with our corporate social responsibility strategy and business goals, maximize opportunity for corporate visibility, foster long-term business relationships, and are within our budget and resource limitations. This policy eliminates duplication and establishes a central point of contact for internal and external requests. All corporate expenditures for charitable donations and sponsorships will be handled accordingly.

All incoming and outgoing requests for charitable contributions/sponsorships, company match requests, in-kind services or support, or business courtesies will be coordinated and administered by our RapidsCares Council. Individual employees may not respond to requests from (or solicit from) individuals or organizations that have an actual or potential business relationship with our companies. Incoming or outgoing requests for sponsorships, charitable donations, volunteers, in-kind services, gifts or giveaways, company match or business courtesies must be made in writing and forwarded to RapidsCares Council for research, review, and final disposition. RapidsCares Council will communicate directly with agencies regarding all requests and coordinate any follow up documentation, and/or collateral activities such as ads, tickets, invitations, banners, etc.

The following guidelines will be used in reviewing requests for charitable contributions and sponsorships and company volunteer initiatives:

All corporate charitable contributions, sponsorships, and in-kind services will promote our business goals, create positive visibility, and demonstrate social responsibility.

The major focus of our contributions will be on families, veteran services, education and support of other corporate priorities. Contributions will be coordinated with employee volunteer activities when possible to achieve maximum impact within budget guidelines. Preference will be given to any requests which are for matching contributions.

We will also consider requests to support social, community, civic, educational, diversity, and economic endeavors if these support corporate business goals and meet contribution guidelines and/or if Rapids & Affiliates staff are involved in the governance of the organization. All requests should be emailed to RapidsCaresCouncil@RapidsWholesale.com to be reviewed with formal recommendation by the council to the Rapids & Affiliates owners group.

The following exclusions apply:

Rapids & Affiliates will not support organizations that discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability with respect to employment, volunteer participation, or the provision of services.
Contributions will be made only to the qualifying nonprofit agency. Contributions will not be made to organizations conducting fundraising (third party giving) on behalf of nonprofit agencies.
Services that primarily benefit animals will not be considered unless the request relates to a service animal following the guidelines of our corporate mission.
Requests from religious organizations for sectarian purposes will not be considered; however, a community program sponsored by a religious organization will be considered (e.g., food pantry).
Requests from all local, regional, and/or school-based sports teams will not be considered. Requests from individual Eastern Iowa elementary or secondary schools (public or private) will not be considered, unless the request is for a new and innovative program specifically designed to address health and wellness.
Requests that solicit financial support for individuals, political candidates, and political campaigns, or entities that are not nonprofit organizations, will not be considered.
Financial requests for capital campaigns will not be considered.