5 creative ways your organization can start giving back

In a modern workplace, you need a plan for how you’ll give back to those in need in your community. It’s because today’s consumers are four to six times more likely to purchase from the brands and companies that stand for something they believe in. And while this is a great reason to find what you want your company to stand for, it shouldn’t be the only reason you want to give back.

Giving back is also good for you. The saying, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give,” is often attributed to Winston Churchill, and it’s just as applicable today as it was during his lifetime. In other words, it’s worthwhile to provide support to the things you’re passionate about. In fact, keep reading to find 5 creative ways your organization can give back and feel great about your business.

Think about the companies you know that are giving to those in need. Do you feel better about purchasing from them? For example, Toms got its start by donating a pair of shoes for each pair purchased. Similarly, Bombas and Warby Parker began donating their products to those in need in the same fashion as Toms. However, these companies have also expanded significantly and today, are donating millions of dollars to ensure their companies are actively giving back to numerous communities.

Put some thought into what your business has to offer, then try to get creative. While service-based companies might seem a little complicated for giving back, stay positive! It just takes some brainstorming to figure out how you can you your services and products to best suit those major skills you have to offer. And it will be well worth it when you figure out what it is.

It’s important to empower your employees to take part in any initiatives you may set out to achieve. Maybe you’re interested in building a home for Habitat for Humanity. Maybe you want to encourage them to start a canned food drive for the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina. Or perhaps you simply want to challenge each other to raise money for the United Way.

No matter what you want to do, you’ll want your team to have options to either give money or get active. Consider giving them time off to volunteer, or providing matching funds based upon what they raise themselves. Think about the options that best match your brand and strategic plan before you make a commitment. But when you have made that commitment, a little will go a long way toward empowering your team to give back in many ways.

A great way to give back is to begin partnering with different groups within your community, which provides benefits on numerous levels. For example, you may be able to work with a charity to develop a specialized product, such as Apple’s (RED) campaign, which has raised a quarter of a billion dollars for the Global Fund. Maybe an event sponsorship is more in line with your mission. In that case, you can think about how to provide those groups with the resources they need as you sponsor their events.

Look for groups in your area that have a similar mission or brand pillars as yours. If you’re both working toward some of the same goals, it may make sense to partner closely with them. Remember that your mission and values are designed to give you clarity, so be sure to use those insights to help you identify the right groups in your community.

There are a few simple ways you can encourage your clients and customers to join in on the fun of giving back. One easy example is to consider having your customers round up a sale to make it even easier to donate while not even thinking about it. If you’re sponsoring an event, you may want to invite your customers to participate so they can attend and provide additional time or funding if needed, too.

If you’re having a food drive, you can always encourage your clients to bring in food as well. Consider offering a discount for their participation or asking them to volunteer their time if it’s something they are passionate about, too. This connection can help them feel great about the work they put in as well as supporting you in your efforts as a company.

If you haven’t already put a social responsibility plan in place in your business, make sure you focus on creating one immediately. As mentioned above, customers want to know you stand for something. This plan should also outline the goals and strategies you want to implement so you can start measuring the impact your company makes.

Remember that your social responsibility plan should align with your goals and values. You may even want to gather additional insights from your clients, partners, and staff to create the plan that makes the most sense to you. These small factors can go a long way toward empowering your entire community.

It’s good to know what you stand for so you can start giving back in meaningful ways that do great for your community. Do you have other ideas not listed here? Share them in the comments below!

Jim Allen is a business leader and entrepreneur who has built one of the top-producing real estate groups in the Triangle. He is President of The Jim Allen Group, which is consistently named one of the top real estate teams in North Carolina and even North America.