We wanted to give a shout out to the Entrepreneurs Foundation of the Southeast (EFSE). EFSE is a public charity which can help startup companies define their charitable giving strategy and volunteer programs. Recognizing the two key resource constraints of many early stage companies, lack of cash and lack of time, the EFSE provides these services at no charge.
We encourage entrepreneurs to donate a small portion of their equity (1-2%) to the EFSE and designate their favorite charity as a beneficiary. When the equity becomes liquid, the charity gets the cash.
It is wise to make this donation early, before you have outside investors so that they won’t get diluted. This is a great way for entrepreneurs to give back and make philanthropy a part of their company culture.