Simple Ways Your Business Can Support the Local Community

Supporting your local community is a great way to build relationships and strengthen your business reputation. The connections you make can also be professionally and personally gratifying.

There are a variety of ways your business can show its support. Here are a few suggestions to help you engage with current and prospective customers.

Participate in Community Festivals — Festive events are a great environment to meet people and neighboring businesses. If you sell a product that’s appropriate for the event, purchase a booth. You could also sponsor the event or an activity that offers visibility.

Sponsor a Local Fundraiser — Many charities host fundraising events to support their cause. Sponsoring a dinner, a golf outing, or 5K race is a great way to connect with community members and support a worthy cause.

Share Social Media Posts — Share social posts from local businesses to help them gain exposure with your followers.

Allow Organizations to Advertise Events — School concerts, holiday plays, or group fundraisers often promote their local events with flyers or brochures. Grant permission to post flyers or leave materials at your checkout counter.

Sponsor a Youth Sports Team — Brand awareness is key to continued business growth and sponsoring a youth sports team is an easy way to promote your company name. It may appear on uniforms, field signage, websites, and social media. And if your team captures the league title, you may be able to showcase the championship trophy!

Purchase Products and Services Locally — Establish relationships with local businesses through buying their products and hiring their services. Even if it costs a few extra dollars, several of those businesses may reciprocate by supporting your business. Getting involved in your local chamber of commerce is also a great networking opportunity.

Donate to First Responders — Support the organizations that help protect your business and keep you safe. Make an annual contribution to assist with training materials, supplies, and equipment.

Encourage Your Employees to Give Back — Consider offering a matching gift program. For example, NJM Insurance Group offers a dollar-for-dollar Matching Program to its employees and Board Members. The company matches eligible donations made to approved non–profit organizations (up to a certain amount per year).

Make In–Kind Donations — Employees may also give back through community service or volunteerism, such as serving meals, planting flowers, cleaning up a local park, or reading to school children. Consider offering employees an allotted number of hours excused from work per year for volunteer work.

Supporting your local community is a healthy business practice. It can also be personally gratifying to meet new people and contribute to a worthy cause.