Business Against Poverty - Using commerce to outlaw poverty
When does investing in 'PR' for a company in Bath, help extinguish poverty for poor people overseas? When it joins Business Against Poverty. The brainchild of Bill Huxley of Robin Hood Ministries, this Christian project works on a mutually beneficial basis to both businesses and charities - with tangible rewards! 
(PICTURE: Business Against Poverty's Michelle Addai at Bath's recent Christian Networking Fair)
"Business Against Poverty provides a community for businesses to buy into which 
actively seeks to benefit them but also benefits Robin Hood Ministries. Its a unique opportunity - it enables businesses to give charities a handshake - not a hand out!" said Bill.
Bill's vision for a subscription, donation and relationship strategy to enable businesses to help support overseas charities was launched in January 2010.
Offering businesses tangible advertising benefits, the project benefits Robin Hood Ministries' schemes to outlaw poverty in areas like Nepal and Romania.
"Members of this project show that they care about issues like poverty and they are taking action. This we believe differentiates them from their competitors; it says something significant about them and their business. In doing so we aim for our businesses and employees to prosper and to share that prosperity with those in need.
"The world is changing rapidly. The affects of climate change; reducing global resources means no longer are we able to take an island view. The need to relieve poverty has never been so great! We are acting individually and collectively and invite you to join us!" said Bill.
How does it work?
The project works by inviting businesses to pay a minimum donation of £10 a month or £98 for a year's membership of a 'community'. Participants receive a 'benefit package' with advertising aids such as the use of branding and logo and entry onto the Business Against Poverty directory.
But the benefits run both ways in the symbiotic relationship between charity and business - with finances not being the only investment.
"We want to use our financial resources, the expertise of our people, our energy, culture and passion to help make a life changing difference through projects that we identify with personally and which leverage our unique expertise and skills.
"We aim to transform our own business community - bring a fresh sense of team work, creativity and shared identity so as to become more profitable and able to share our prosperity. We want to use that prosperty to invest in strategic projects that will empower, equip and enable communities to prosper and so break the cycle of poverty."
Bill Huxley, the founder and visionary for the project is supported by a steering group of successful Bath-based business men and women, a director and administrative support. The team regularly travel locally to meet business people and also visit Robin Hood Ministries projects firsthand in Nepal and Romania.
"There is no typical day working on a project like this – business meetings form a major part of our time as we want to reach as many business people as possible but we also work very closely with Robin Hood Ministries to ensure our members can be sure of where their support is going and the difference it makes." said Bill.
Robin Hood Ministries works to change lives both in the UK and overseas - by relieving poverty through direct action.
What do you think of this project? Join our Discussion Forum and let us know