AN innovative philanthropic idea is the inspiration behind ToolBox WA, a partnership formed between two local marketing professionals with experience in the not-for-profit (NFP) sector.
The small organisation is the creation of James Lawton and Teri O’Toole who have just announced the first beneficiaries of the ToolBox charitable trust scheme.
Established in April, the organisation was formed as a strategic planning, marketing and business development consultancy service to the small business, government and NFP sectors.
But what stands the consultancy apart from others, is that all profits generated are redirected back into the Western Australian community via the ToolBox charitable trust. Funds are then directed to individuals or groups living in disadvantage.
Mr Lawton was formerly marketing manager at the Activ Foundation and Cities of Stirling and Joondalup, while Ms O’Toole is a marketing manager with over 20 years’ experience in Perth and the UK.
Already the pair has worked with clients Workpower and the City of Stirling in developing business strategies and marketing initiatives.
And while the organisation is still in its infancy, ToolBox has announced its first two beneficiaries in two scholarship places for not-for-profit organisation leaders to attend the Leadership WA 2006 program for emerging leaders, as well as a grant to Therapy Focus, a NFP organisation providing therapy services to children with wide-ranging disabilities, based in Belmont.
Mr Lawton says they offer five main “tools” to assist businesses in improving their performance. They are:
• income generation advice;
• strategic and business planning;
• partnership building;
• marketing; and
• customer service.
Mr Lawton said establishing a board to facilitate grants was the next step for ToolBox, in order to create accountability and a greater level of transparency.
He also said the organisation offers competitive rates to clients, with substantial discounts for the NFP sector.