How to Manage Charitable Requests (with Grace and Wisdom)

Restaurateurs are a pretty charitable bunch. According to the National Restaurant Association, more than nine out of 10 restaurants are actively involved in charitable activities.

With many operators commiserating about being deluged by requests for donations from even the worthiest causes and organizations, they must ask themselves how much is too much and where to draw the line.

The association estimates that, collectively, the charitable contributions of the nation's one million restaurants are estimated to reach up to $3 billion each year. Independent restaurateurs are frequently barraged by requests for donations of food and other gifts. You need to develop a strategy to respond to requests to help worthy charities and maintain a positive relationship with the community, while not putting undue strain on your budget.