Project summary

Commissions for a Cause is an innovative initiative that enables independent insurance agents to support effective charities through their regular commission earnings. By redirecting a portion of their commissions to high-impact charities, agents can attract socially conscious clients without increasing costs for the consumer. The project leverages existing business practices to create meaningful social change, demonstrating that philanthropy and business success can go hand-in-hand.

What are this project's goals? How will you achieve them?

The primary goal of Commissions for a Cause is to demonstrate that consumers prefer to work with businesses that support charitable causes when given the option, even if the price remains the same. We aim to validate this model as a scalable way to fund effective charities through everyday transactions.

To achieve this, we will:

1. Partner with independent insurance agents who are willing to donate a portion of their commissions.

2. Launch a targeted marketing campaign to raise awareness among potential clients about the benefits of choosing an agent who supports charity.

3. Collect data on consumer preferences and the financial impact of this initiative on participating agents.

4. Use the results to refine and expand the program, ultimately applying the model to other industries.
   

How will this funding be used?

Funding will be used to:

1. Develop marketing materials to promote the program to both agents and consumers.

2. Provide training and resources for participating agents to help them effectively communicate the value of Commissions for a Cause to their clients.

3. Conduct a pilot study to gather data on the program’s impact and refine the model for future expansion.

4. Cover operational costs, including outreach to potential agent partners and ongoing program management.

Who is on your team? What's your track record on similar projects?

• Brad West is the founder of the Profit for Good Initiative, with a background in law. He has successfully integrated charitable giving into his legal practice by donating 100% of his commissions to charity.

• Blake Hannagan brings a wealth of experience in social entrepreneurship and nonprofit leadership. He is the founder of The Mission Motor, an organization dedicated to accelerating social impact through creative and sustainable solutions. With a strong background in strategic planning and execution, Blake’s leadership has been instrumental in driving the success of various mission-driven projects. Blake Hannagan on LinkedIn.
  

What are the most likely causes and outcomes if this project fails?

The most likely causes of failure include insufficient agent participation, low consumer interest, or challenges in effectively communicating the program’s value proposition. If the project fails, the primary outcome would be a lack of significant impact on charitable donations through this channel. However, even in failure, the project will provide valuable insights into consumer behavior and the viability of similar models in the future, informing subsequent efforts in the social enterprise space.

What other funding are you or your project getting?

Currently, the Commissions for a Cause project is primarily funded by Brad West, who is covering initial costs to launch and operate the pilot phase. We are actively seeking additional funding from philanthropists, impact investors, and foundations interested in supporting innovative philanthropic models. This additional funding will be crucial for expanding the program and increasing its impact.