Direct Sellers are people people.
It’s baked into their genetic cake. They’re outgoing and willing to engage with new people. And because gregarious and engaging folks are capable of great empathy and caring, direct sellers are known to be among the first to donate time, money, and energy to charitable organizations.
A successful year of direct sales is more than a solid revenue stream for the seller and the parent company—it’s an opportunity for thousands of direct sellers around the world to promote, donate, and roll up their sleeves to help those in need. Because most direct sales companies have a charitable organization to give back to, participating and donating has never been easier. It’s a natural partnership.
Let’s explore how direct-selling companies are making a difference for those in need around the world.
Short- and Long-Term Solutions
There are over 1,100 direct-selling companies in the United States, ranging from nutritional supplements to car insurance. Each group empowers individuals to own and manage their businesses. And just like traditional businesses, direct sales companies encourage and support charitable work as a component of their business models.
Philanthropy is second nature to direct sellers. With the ease they approach potential customers to join their business, there’s a general sense these individuals want to create a bigger impact beyond registering large sales. They want to establish a legacy through their actions—and continued service satisfies this need.
Direct sales companies recognize this and leverage their resources and people to reach communities around the world.
For example, Mary Kay Inc. has commitments to ending domestic violence. And through the Mary Kay Foundation, they’ve made substantial contributions to several organizations to educate, serve, and eradicate domestic violence. As shelters reported an uptick in violence during the COVID-19 lockdown, the Mary Kay Foundation awarded grants to support first responders helping women and children find safety from these life-threatening situations.
Plexus Worldwide strongly encourages giving and service by empowering its employees to support a cause with their team members. Each year, every Plexus Worldwide employee is given 16 hours of paid volunteer time during their “World of Service” event. Employees can choose which organizations they want to support, and they’ve made a notable impact in food and clothing drives.
Direct sales companies often select causes that reflect the heart of their missions. Norwex, a company dedicated to reducing chemicals and promoting non-toxic, sustainable household goods, supports Washed Ashore, a nonprofit focused on reducing ocean plastic waste. By taking the basis of their business—offering environmentally friendly cleaning products—Norwex is super-charging their efforts by cleaning up beaches and hosting recycling events.
Planting Seeds of Hope
An excellent example of a charitable organization attached to a direct sales company is the USANA Foundation. Founded in 2012, the USANA Foundation fights to eliminate food insecurity and hunger around the world. USANA boasts over 500,000 active distributors worldwide, and the USANA Foundation relies on these forward-facing members to share their mission.
USANA Foundation has three areas of focus: nourishment (emergency food aid and essential nutrition), equipment (providing resources for long-term success), and solutions (pursuing locally driven, sustainable resolutions to hunger). Because their mission is clear and focused—to end malnutrition around the world—USANA’s charitable arm can direct resources to targeted groups.
Studies indicate the ease of giving helps facilitate donations. And because USANA distributors can add a donation to the Foundation as a line item to their monthly Auto Order, many support the Foundation year-round. The accessibility of this charitable organization is something USANA’s distributors are proud to introduce USANA to potential customers.
In addition to providing meals around the world, USANA Foundation has taken the initiative to donate and sell Garden Towers—a simple, powerful solution that provides sustainable, nutritious food for people all over the world. Made from long-lasting, durable material, each tower can hold up to 120 plants and be harvested for many years.
Simple but effective solutions like Garden Towers help eliminate food uncertainty and a make a difference in families and communities around the world. And because people like to do good and help their community, fun and innovative solutions like Garden Towers become driving factors in recruiting others to join the USANA Foundation’s mission.
Building and planting a Garden Tower is an incredible opportunity to do good, engage the community, and improve countless lives for generations to come.
Roll Up Your Sleeves
Virtually every direct sales company has their own unique charitable initiatives. It’s not just good karma to support charities—it’s good business. Direct sales companies support their communities because it’s the right thing to do. And as a result, people appreciate the positive work done for their communities.
These philanthropic activities are engaging and fun, and they make a great difference for those they help and for the distributors themselves. If you’re considering starting your own business and partnering with a direct sales company, investigate their charitable arm.
For more information, visit USANAFoundation.org for an example of an excellent charity group.
Ben Raskin is a photographer and writer living in Salt Lake City. He enjoys fishing and spending time with his dogs. Follow his adventures on Instagram @USANAben.
