Contributed Post
If you run a business, no matter how big or small, you might start thinking about what it contributes to the local community. Some businesses automatically help to provide for the local economy and offer services or products that otherwise wouldn’t be available. Others help other local businesses so they can do the same. But if you feel like your business isn’t as connected to your local community as it could be, you might want to consider how you could change that. You can approach this issue in a few different ways so that you get closer to your community and help those who need it.
Get to Know Your Community and Its Needs
Do you feel like you have a firm understanding of your local community and its needs? Are you knowledgeable about the kinds of issues that people face and the struggles that they experience trying to overcome them? If you want to be a part of your local community, you need to start by being familiar with its needs, its problems, its loves and hates, and what’s going on. Attend local events and find out about the charities and community groups that are doing good work in the area. Speak to local people about what matters to them to find out how you can help and connect with them.
Credit: The Blue Diamond Gallery
Create Your Own Charitable Foundation
If you’re ready to take a big step to help out your local community, you could consider setting up a charitable foundation or group. In the US Virgin Islands, Kirk Chewning and his co-founder started Crane Bay Cares to provide generators to nonprofits and schools, as well as supplies like clean water and personal hygiene items. If you have the time and money, you could do something similar that helps to meet the needs of your local community. Once you’ve identified the pressing issues that affect the community, you can come up with solutions that tackle them.
Offers Your Services and Products
You don’t necessarily have to start your own initiative. You might notice that there are already some very good community projects and charities in your area that are doing excellent jobs and could use your support. If so, you could think about whether they might benefit from the products or services you have to offer. Failing that, another option is to pledge some of your profits so that local projects can share in your success and directly benefit from your business activity.
Partner With Local Charities
You can also decide to go one step further to help out local charities. By partnering with them, you can strengthen your relationship and help them to get exposure. You might do some things like sponsoring their events or hosting fundraising events for them. You could promote them on your website or other marketing materials and talk to them about the best ways you can help them achieve their goals.
To be a real part of your local community, you have to be willing to get involved. Start connecting with local people and learn what matters most to them.
