subject: Jesse Willms Supports Social Responsibility [print this page] Jesse Willms yesterday said that he believes successful companies have an obligation to find ways to give back to the community. He also said that he hopes his acts of philanthropy will inspire others as well.
Willms said that helping the global community will help build markets in the long term, assist with a company's public relationship efforts, has great tax benefits and is simply the right thing to do. Giving back to the community by helping worthwhile charitable organizations will also remind us of just how lucky we are in an age when the latest gadgets and rampant consumerism can make us take advantage of our lifestyles.
Jesse David Willms of Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada is well known and respected in the Internet marketing community. He started making money from home when he was 16, buying and selling computers and software online. Six year later he had founded several Internet businesses.
This summer he was inspired when Bill Gates and Warren Buffett challenged successful entrepreneurs to support as many charitable institutions as they could afford. Since then he has given tens of thousands of dollars to non-profit groups mostly those that help women and children or respond to natural disasters.
He said that he feels inspired to wake up every morning and try to find new ways he can help combat poverty and other ills of the modern world. Willms noted, however, that supporting the community is not an entirely selfless act. The image your company has in the community is an important part of your branding efforts.
He also said that any company or entrepreneur who wants to start donating money to charity should do their research first, because not every charity is created equal. Some spend most of their money on administrative costs, leaving little left over for their actual goals. He works with his team to carefully select charities that have rock solid reputations of making a real difference in the community.
Willms said he plans to continue to partner with additional proactive non-profit groups in the future, and is open to hearing any suggestions for organizations that may be worth his financial support.
