Every year around the holidays, we find ourselves in a season of giving.  This spirit of generosity doesn’t have to be limited to your personal life or to a certain time of year.  Small businesses are integral parts of the communities in which they operate, and if you are a business owner, there are countless ways in which your company can give back during the holidays and throughout the year. 

• Collect donated items at your place of business, such as coats, blankets, or canned goods to be delivered to local shelters or food banks.
• Provide an advertising space for community organizations, even if it is just a space on your counter for brochures.
• Be a host for organizations that need sites for events like pet adoptions or cookie sales.
• Participate in “shop local” events.
• Create a scholarship for a local student.
• Underwrite nonprofit fundraising campaigns with financial sponsorships.
• Make in-kind donations of your services, such as printing signs for a local school or providing a gift certificate for a silent auction.

As you can see from the ideas above, giving back doesn’t necessarily entail a large investment of time or money, but it can make a big difference to the recipients. Furthermore, there are a number of benefits involved with such activities. In most cases, donations to nonprofits are tax-deductible and include free advertising in exchange for your company’s sponsorship. And most important, being involved in your community allows you to give back to the people who support your small business throughout the year.