You don’t have to give on the level of corporations like Coca-Cola or General Electric to have a positive impact. Making small donations to local nonprofits and getting involved on a grassroots level go a long way toward making the world a better place.
“To move forward, you have to give back.” —Oprah Winfrey
Innovative ways you can contribute.
In our first post of this series, we interviewed Antis Roofing & Waterproofing’s Director of Cause, Susan DeGrassi, on how to get started giving back. She’s back with 4 creative ways your business can contribute to the local community.
#1: Offer pro bono services to nonprofits.
A nonprofit’s staff and budget are both limited. If your business provides a service that can benefit a local charity, consider extending it to them. No strings attached.
“Happiness doesn’t come from commercial success but from the quality of work that you give back to your immediate community.” —Adrian Grenier
But remember, your time is still worth money. “Calculate the cost of providing your services for free before giving monetarily,” DeGrassi advises. This lets you maximize your giving without going over your charitable budget.
At KME, we help local charities by analyzing their internet and phone statements free of charge. Our senior-level voice engineers look at their statements and see how we can lower their bill. It’s a simple way we can use our expertise to help nonprofits save money.
#2: Volunteer at a school.
Consider donating your time and expertise to local schools through a program like Junior Achievement. You’ll be able to help students learn life skills they wouldn’t normally get in standard curriculum—like balancing a checkbook or coding.
Note that the district will require a background check before you can come on campus. But it’s a fairly simple process that can be done entirely online.
“Giving is not about making a donation. It is about making a difference.” —Kathy Calvin
#3: Use your office space for after-hours events.
Don’t let your office space go to waste. Host a networking event for local SMBs at your office and charge each attendant a small entry fee. After the event, donate the profits to a charity of your choice.
You can also let nonprofits use your space after hours for a meeting, special event, or fundraiser.
#4: Organize a charity drive.
Call ahead to your local food bank or shelter and ask them what items they currently need. Let your employees and other nearby businesses know about the drive and encourage them to make donations.
You can also use part of your budget to buy a few bigger-ticket items like coats, electronics, or furniture.
“To do more for the world than the world does for you—that is success.” —Henry Ford
Up Next
Charitable work is a great way to spend time with your team and make an impact. In our final post of this three-part series, we’ll explore how to get your employees involved in giving back to Orange County charities.
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