Many small businesses owners have a goal of contributing to their communities when they launch their businesses. It can be challenging to find the time and resources to make giving back a priority. This list, originally posted on UPS’ tips and advice section of their website, gives some concrete ideas to small business owners to encourage a deeper community impact.
It’s not just about the money
Cash donations are what we normally think of when we talk about philanthropy, but time or the combination of time and money, can make a huge difference to charitable causes. Some suggestions for giving more of your businesses time are to:
1. Encourage your team to volunteer
Volunteering as a group is great for team-building, and you can also use this as an opportunity for junior members of your team to interact meaningfully with the senior executives. Involving your entire team in choosing the cause will also create more buy-in.
2. Offer your expertise
Your knowledge can be more valuable than money to a nonprofit. An added bonus is that this type of volunteering is usually very accommodating to your schedule.
3. Channel your team’s competitive instincts
Another great team-building exercise is some internal competition in your office. Whether it’s money, food drives, jackets, or gifts, having teams compete to get the most contributions is a great way to build cohesion and give back at the same time.
4. Donation collections
If you have a brick and mortar, consider collecting donations in your store. Offer more information about the cause for your customers to take, and remember to thank them for contributing!
5. Upsell for charity
Offering a percentage of proceeds to charity is a great way to encourage spending and give back at the same time.
6. Reward your customers for participating
Offering discounts, coupons, special promotions, and the like is a great way to encourage your customers to participate in your philanthropy.
7. Social media participation
Increase your social media interactions and raise money at the same time by offering a donation per “like” or “retweet” on your company’s social media channels.
Does philanthropy matter for businesses?
Both you and your business get a lot of great benefits for doing good. These include:
- Tax deductions
- Boosting your (company’s) reputation
- Motivating your team
- Attracting your client-base
- Market differentiation
- Boosting morale
Read more of these benefits and tips in the original article and let us know how your business gives back @obdc_finance!
