Published in the September 2008 issue of DJ Times Magazine
Volume 21 - Number 9

The idea that giving makes you rich is a lovely sentiment, to be sure, but it’s quite backward-sounding to the average businessperson. You obviously have to be prosperous before you can give away your services for “free,” right?

Well, actually, no. There is quite a bit of statistical data that supports the contention that behaving generously stimulates prosperity—for individuals, businesses, communities and nations. Charity, it appears, really can make you rich.

Why Giving is Good for Us

Both psychologists and neuroscientists have identified several ways that giving makes us more effective and successful. Helping others not only makes us feel good about ourselves; it can also increase our physical well-being.

• Research by the University of Oregon has found that volunteerism stimulates the parts of the brain that are associated with meeting basic needs—suggesting to researchers that our brains know that giving is good for us.

• A study by Cornell University found that volunteering increases a person’s energy, sense of mastery over life, and self-esteem.

• Studies have demonstrated that positive feelings about yourself can actually strengthen and enhance the immune system.

• Research has shown that people are often elevated by others into positions of leadership after they are witnessed behaving charitably.

So, is achieving wealth, health or becoming a leader the primary reason to give—or rather a by-product of being generous? DJ Times asked some mobiles about their motivation and here's what they had to say.

Cap Capello of Saratoga, N.Y., has a very good reason to donate his time and talents to charity. His daughter has been institutionalized since birth due to severe physical and mental birth defects. Capello channels his desire to make a difference by performing several times a year for both the “Center for The Disabled” and the “Association of Retarded Citizens.”

“I've contributed my mobile DJ services to them for the past 20 years,” he says. “Over the course of this time I have become good friends with the staff and the patients. The staff are angels, and the patients are so filled with love, they are positively the best audience anyone could dream of performing for. If I wasn't asked to entertain for these fine organizations, I would call them and beg to do so.”

Ever the consummate professional, Capello still uses a no-charge contract to ensure his liability coverage is in place, and that out-of-pocket expenses can be deducted and proven for tax purposes. Capello steadfastly maintains his business policies in strict accordance with the advice from his attorney and CPA.

For Northern New Jersey's DJ Teddy Bear, the American Cancer Society's “Relay For Life” is an annual event on his calendar. The same goes for California's Ezra Mendoza of Rhythm & Rhapsody, who also donates his services to “Ronald McDonald House.”
“I had the unfortunate experience of being a guest at a RMH when my son was in the hospital for an extended period of time,” says Mendoza, “and I have also lost some very important people in my life from 'the big C.'”

Mendoza challenges his clients to join him in giving. “I run a discount program,” he says, “whereby if my client writes a check up to $100 made out directly to the charity, I will match that amount in any entertainment package $700 and over. I also send part of the proceeds of sales from my company branded merchandise to RMH.”

Popular Party DJs’ Charlene Burg’s friend was a victim of a double-murder during her senior year in high school. The family of one of the victims wanted to do something positive in remembrance of their daughter so they started a foundation for battered and homeless women. Burg knew immediately that she wanted to join the cause to help other women from being abused or killed, and keep their spirits alive to the public.

“I offered my services to assist with fundraising in memory of my friend,” says Burg. “The first year we raised $50,000, and we have raised an additional $750,000 over the past 25 years. Various music artists have attended this event such as Sissy Houston [Whitney's mother]. I'm so glad to be part of such a wonderful cause and would never give it up for the world.”

Brand Aid

Not only do people feel a greater sense of purpose when expressing their abundance through giving, but philanthropy also serves as a key way to create a positive corporate image. It can have a huge impact on branding because today's consumers are more conscious than ever before about the companies they buy from, and are looking for more meaning in their purchases.

Donating your services or offering them at a reduced rate to charity is also a very good way to build your company's reputation and client roster. Here's how:

Providing DJ entertainment for a charitable event is “free” advertising for your company, and everyone attending is a potential future client.

1. Prospects can often be invited to a charitable event, giving them a unique opportunity to see your live performance—something that is usually not advisable with private functions.
2. You can include your charitable activities on your company's website and in your company's marketing materials.

3. In lieu of a cash payment for a charitable event, you can request an exchange in which you provide the entertainment, and the charity features your company's ad or information in all of their marketing, advertising, and publicity for the event in which you are performing.

If you don't have a personal reason for choosing a particular charity and want to check out different options, here are a few sites that will make your task easy:

• www.guidestar.org

• www.give.org

• www.charitynavigator.org

• www.ebaygivingworks.com

Once you decide upon a few possibilities, contact their local branch in your community and find out if they already have any annual events established. If they do, it could be a great volunteer opportunity. If not, perhaps you might help establish a fundraiser for them.

Your DJ services are not tax deductible, even when providing event entertainment for a charitable, religious, educational, scientific, literary or prevention of cruelty to children or animals organization. However, your out-of-pocket expenses such as mileage, parking fees, tolls, material expenses (supplies), cost of goods (merchandise distributed), payroll, dry cleaning, repairs, and reasonable expenses for meals and lodging are tax deductible. Consult IRS Publication 526 or your accountant for more details.

The one who ends up getting the most from a giving may, ultimately, be The Good Samaritan. It really does pay to be a DJ do-gooder because as famed motivational speaker Tony Robbins puts it, “Only those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution experience life's deepest joy: true fulfillment. It's not what we get but who we become and what we contribute that gives meaning to our lives.”