Busy schedules, deadlines, and the never-ending to-do list—it’s easy for business owners to get tunnel vision and lose sight of the big picture. But while it’s important to run a tight ship, it’s also crucial to remember that businesses don’t exist in a vacuum. We’re here to give you 10 powerful motivations for give-back initiatives that will help your business stand out.
At the end of the day, businesses are made up of people, and people have a fundamental desire to work for something bigger than themselves
One of the best ways to tap into this desire is by giving back through charity. Many companies have realized the significant rewards that can come from engaging employees, customers, and vendors in fundraising or volunteer efforts, especially ones within the local communities that could help out local community members.
But if you’re not sure if your business should get involved in charitable activities, here are ten reasons why you should. From enhancing brand reputation and fostering employee engagement to making a tangible difference in communities and local organizations, these motivations underscore the profound reasons why businesses and a business owner choose to give back. Join us on a journey that goes beyond the balance sheet and unveils the meaningful connections between profit and purpose, demonstrating how businesses can be a force for positive change in the world.
1. Giving back to local communities helps build goodwill among customers, clients, and vendors
We all know that word-of-mouth marketing is a powerful way to build brand awareness. By participating in local charities or supporting local organizations, you can appeal to current customers and clients, as well as potential ones you wouldn’t have been able to get if you didn’t participate. It’s a way of showing that your company is more than just a business—it’s a part of the community and it cares about the same things that they do, especially within the local community.
You know that your customers rely on you to deliver high-quality products. By offering them something extra—like the opportunity to get involved in charitable organizations or donate to a good cause like a local food bank to give back to the community—you not only deepen your relationship with them, but also increase the likelihood that they’ll recommend you to friends, family, and business associates just from getting into community involvement.
2. It’s a great way to engage employees and build team morale
In addition to helping you connect with customers, charitable activities are also a solid way to engage your employees, especially as small businesses. Volunteering on projects like local food banks or sponsoring events for a local nonprofit gives everyone a chance to work together toward a common goal. It’s also a way to build team morale and make your employees feel good about working for a company that has a strong commitment to the community.
One of the best ways to get employees excited about volunteering is to create custom printed apparel. We offer a front and back printing location on all t-shirts, making them perfect for advertising your special events or charity involvement. Custom printed apparel helps spread the word for a local organization or local nonprofits that you’re partnering with as well as unite employees and promote your brand all in one.
3. Giving back allows you to support causes that are meaningful to your business or industry
Charity should never be about the tax write-off. Instead, it should be about finding causes that are meaningful to you as small business owners or something within your industry. For example, if you’re in the healthcare industry, you might want to consider supporting a local hospital or cancer research center. If you’re in the food business, you might want to think about partnering with a hunger-relief organization.
As a producer of custom cups, we know the importance of finding a cause that aligns with your business. That’s why we support charity:water – an organization that is working to bring clean water to developing nations – by donating a portion of our custom printed product sales towards their water projects. We donate $1 from cases of custom printed products such as custom plastic clear cold cups, paper cold cups, food bowls, sleeves, paper hot cups, stickers, and seals. In addition, we donate $5 from every case of custom printed holiday products. Not only do we know we are making a difference for people in need, our customers also understand that our efforts are possible because of their purchases.
4. It can help you attract and retain top talent
In today’s competitive job market, it’s more important than ever to offer potential employees a comprehensive benefits package—and that package should go beyond just health insurance and 401(k) matching. Many job seekers are looking for companies that offer opportunities to give back, whether through paid time off for volunteering or matching charitable donations.
Beyond attracting top talent, businesses that actively engage in philanthropy also experience higher levels of employee satisfaction and retention. When employees feel a sense of pride and purpose in their workplace, it creates a positive and fulfilling work environment, contributing to long-term loyalty and commitment. This dual benefit of attracting talent and fostering a dedicated team makes business give back initiatives a strategic investment in both human capital and corporate culture.
5. Charitable giving is a great way to build brand awareness
In order to stand out in today’s crowded marketplace, businesses need to focus on building brand awareness. And one of the best ways to do that is by getting involved in charitable activities.
By supporting a charity or sponsoring a fundraising event, you’ll not only increase your visibility in the community, but you’ll also create positive associations with your brand. This can be especially helpful if your business has a strong online presence, as customers and clients are more likely to share their positive experiences with others via social media. Having an online presence is one thing, but having a social media following that actively promotes your brand is another.
Another great way to develop an awareness for your business is through the products you serve. Everything that you serve – from custom plastic cups and promotional coffee cups to branded ice cream cups and carryout containers – can spread the word about both your brand and any charitable initiatives you’re supporting. With custom printed cups, the marketing possibilities are almost endless. Our double wall paper hot cups are available in full wrap, full color printing, allowing you to advertise your upcoming events and even what achievements you’ve hit. Adding QR codes is another popular way to engage customers while they’re holding your product. These QR codes can link directly to your website for more information or even to your social media where customers can follow you and learn more about how you give back.
6. Giving back can help you differentiate yourself as a business owner from the competition
In any industry, there will always be competitors vying for the same customers. There are a lot of ways you can separate yourself from the competition, but one of the most effective is by giving back. While product features and pricing may be comparable, a distinctive brand identity can be a powerful differentiator.
By supporting charitable causes, you can set yourself apart from the pack, demonstrating a commitment to values beyond profit margins. This is especially true if your competitors are not known for participating in charitable activities. Consumers are increasingly drawn to businesses that align with their ethical values, and a socially responsible brand identity can create a lasting impression, fostering customer loyalty and trust.
7. It can help you build deeper connections with customers, clients, local community members and vendors
When you get involved with a charity, you have an opportunity to build deeper relationships with customers, clients, and vendors. This is because charitable giving creates a sense of trust and mutual respect. Furthermore, it can also lead to repeat business and referrals.
By actively engaging in philanthropic initiatives within your local community, you contribute to the well-being of the community itself. This not only enhances your brand’s reputation but also fosters a sense of connection with local residents and businesses. Collaborating on charitable projects or supporting local causes can open doors to valuable partnerships, creating a network of support and collaboration that extends beyond typical business transactions. The shared commitment to making a positive impact builds a sense of community that resonates with all stakeholders, further solidifying your business’s role as a socially responsible and community-oriented entity.
8. Charitable giving is a great way to show that you care about more than just the bottom line
In today’s business climate, it’s important to show that you care about more than just your profits. By getting involved in charitable activities, you can show that you are committed to making a difference in the world around you.
As a business, it is truly important to give back in some way, shape, or form. Whether you donate a portion of your profits to charity or partner with an organization on a volunteer project, giving back is always a good idea. By supporting clean water initiatives through charity:water, we are able to give back in a meaningful way and build awareness for our brand.
9. It can help you build your social media presence
Social media is an important tool for any business looking to connect with customers and clients. And charitable activities can be a great way to build your social media presence. This is because people are more likely to share information about companies that they perceive to be charitable and socially responsible.
10. Giving back is the right thing to do
At the end of the day, charitable giving is simply the right thing to do. When you contribute to your community, you are helping to make it a better place for everyone. And that’s something that we should all strive to do. It is simple – giving back feels good and makes a tangible difference in people’s lives. We are grateful for our many blessings and want to share them with others.
No matter what industry you’re in, there are always opportunities to give back. And when you do, you can reap a host of benefits for your business, including building brand awareness, attracting top talent, and differentiating yourself from the competition. So if you’re looking for ways to make a difference, consider getting involved with a charity or sponsoring a local event. Your business—and your community—will be better for it.
Charity:water
Founded in 2006, this organization’s singular mission is to end the global water crisis. With the help of development partners and financial supporters, charity:water has built nearly 100,000 clean water projects in over two dozen countries around the world. We’re proud to donate to this cause and we’re excited to see our contributions – thanks in large part to our customers – come to life.
So far we have already donated to several different projects, including water wells in Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Malawi, as well as community water taps in Nepal and Madagascar. With your help, we look forward to many more contributions in the future. For more information on charity:water and how you can help us support this cause, visit our website!
Megan Werner
Megan is a 2022 graduate of the University of North Georgia with a Bachelor's degree in Digital Marketing. She currently works as a Content Marketing Specialist where she handles social media content creation, copywriting, and more. In her free time she enjoys cooking and exploring new cities.