This may seem like a different part of retention, but take a minute to think about this. When you are involved with nonprofit organizations you become part of the community and you develop loyalty to your facility because you are giving back to your community. I like to select a different nonprofit every month to support. There are a couple of different ways to support these organizations that are a benefit for both them and your club.
The first way I like to help nonprofits is to give them gift cards and allow them to sell those $50 or $100 gift cards for $5-$10. If the nonprofit sells 100 gift cards at $5, you just donated $500 to the organization. That is very powerful. You also now have 100 gift cards out in the community that can be redeemed at your facility.
I would pick nonprofits to coincide with their particular big activities during the year. Pick the Girl Scouts when it’s cookie time, choose the Boy Scouts when it’s popcorn time and help the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in October for Breast Cancer Awareness month. There are other ways to support these organizations such as donating $5 for every new member to the club. Start your nonprofit calendar today and start building that community loyalty to your facility.
Eric Vyborny
Fitness Marketing Contributor