Giving Back as a Business Owner

Helping others can help you both in your business and in your life. Starting off the year by committing to giving back can be incredibly positive and rewarding. Consider opportunities where you can offer your business’s services or products.

Not only will you feel good about helping out, it may expose your business to new audiences and enable you to meet others, who like you, are dedicated to doing good. Giving back to the community can supercharge your marketing by building your brand’s recognition and reputation.

Here are 7 ways you can give back as a business owner!

1. Make a plan

It’s almost impossible to achieve a goal if you don’t plan for it. Every quarter, take the time to sit down with yourself or your team and discuss the various ways that your business can make the world a better place and then make a plan.

For example, a team member may suggest switching from a paper-based invoicing system to a digital system. Not only is it better for the environment, it can save your business a ton of money since it’s eliminating the cost of paper and ink.

2. Encourage your team to volunteer.

Here’s an idea that you can borrow from some of the biggest companies in the world; encourage volunteerism by offering paid time off for volunteering for a charity of their choice.

Giving employees a specific amount of time each month, quarter, or year for volunteer work will improve morale. It will also increase your business’s community involvement.

3. Share your skills and experience.

As a business owner in your community, you possess a wealth of valuable talent, expertise, and knowledge. Put those skills to good use by teaching classes or a specialized skill. Help local residents by volunteering for a nonprofit. For example, if you’re a website designer, you could build and maintain the website for a local nonprofit.

4. Sponsor a youth sports team.

There’s a good possibility that you know someone who has a child on a youth sports team. Once you find a local team to sponsor, you can help them out with the funds that they need.

You can get some friendly publicity with your logo on the uniforms or banners. It’s a simple and effective way to support your community with a minimal time and financial investment.

5. Sponsor an event.

Sponsoring a participant in a local marathon is a great way to support them, along with the community.

But you and your employees can take it step further. Show-up and cheer someone on — maybe in some branded gear. Donate supplies to the cause of bottles or water, snacks, or tents.

6. Launch a charity drive.

If money and scheduled time are in short supply, you can still be charitable by starting a clothing, book, or food drive. Start by donating the items a local nonprofit. Homeless shelters and food banks always need help and supplies.

Helping local drives for charity can be an extremely cost-effective option. You can help in small ways throughout the year. Your employees may have some great ideas for you.

7. Consistently give a little.

You don’t have to make a massive million dollar donation to a charity to make a difference. Donating a small percentage of your profits or fees to a charity that’s important to you will add-up over time. It will definitely make a difference.