How Small Businesses Are Giving Back

For fifteen years, Owen Cleaners in Paducah, Kentucky, has been dry cleaning coats donated through a program to clothe the needy. Owner Dave Perry estimates that he’s cleaned about 55,000 coats for free. Casco Bay Wool Works in Portland, Maine, donates about $7,000 a year in free wool blankets to the Ronald McDonald house, victims of ice storms, and other local charities. And for the past ten years, John Level, president of Hi-Rel Laboratories in Spokane, Washington, has invited local sixth and seventh graders into his business so they can have access to high tech equipment their own schools can’t afford.

These small businesses may not have much in common, but their owners share a noble interest in using their services to respond to a need within their communities. As a small business owner you may have wanted to give something back to your community but are unsure exactly how to go about it. Most small businesses don’t have a lot of money to donate, and they’re unaware of the resources available to help them best contribute their time and energy. Nothing can energize you more than giving something back to your community, and we hope this article gives you a few ideas on where you can start.

Why Small Businesses Should Give Back

Toby Dayton, president of JobDig, an employment-focused media company that helps businesses and organizations find qualified candidates, says, ” . . . the reality is that the needs in all our communities are greater than ever before and cannot be left to others to tackle, no matter how generous and civic-minded those others might be. And not only is giving back to the community the right thing to do, it also makes good business sense. Study after study has shown that companies that demonstrate consistent civic-mindedness are more successful, and the same reasons that make it good business for Target and General Mills to give back to the community apply to all businesses, no matter how small.”

The truth is that those big businesses contribute to large and established charities. Local charities and nonprofit organizations do not enjoy the same type of visibility and often struggle to stay afloat. These local groups and the people they serve could use your help. And small business owners and their employees possess unique talents and skills that can contribute to community success in many ways.

How Small Businesses Can Give Back

While small businesses may not have the financial resources to give large donations to charities, they can contribute to the community by matching their services to a specific need. Green Lights for Nonprofit Success, is an organization in Austin, Texas, that helps small businesses contribute in whatever ways they can. Greenlights spokesman Andy Buck said, “Some felt like big corporations have all these big resources at their fingertips that they can use to give back, while small business, while they want to [give back] they really don’t know how.”

The first thing you can do is contact local nonprofit organizations and find out what needs exist. You’ll find out how your special skills and experience can be put to good use. Perhaps there are low income families who could use your help preparing taxes. Perhaps the nonprofit organizations could benefit from that service as well. The important thing is that your talents contribute to a better community.

And giving comes with multiple perks. First and foremost is the satisfaction you feel in helping to build your own community. Second comes the networking involved to orchestrate the perfect service opportunity. And finally, your giving spirit builds a loyalty in those who know; you’ll find yourself building a stronger client base with those who appreciate your good will and may, themselves, feel inspired to give as well.

As you find your business growing, it’s important to appreciate the community in which you were able to build your business, and look for ways to give back. The spirit of giving will strengthen your own business and help you feel better about the legacy others will know you by.