How to Give Back to Your Community in 2023 

With the new year in full swing and companies and individuals alike looking for a fresh start and a way to make positive changes, we thought it appropriate to discuss some simple, yet effective ways your business or your family can give back to your community, thus affecting change at the local level. 

Since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, many businesses have struggled to keep up with the economic tidal wave of changes that have occurred in such a short amount of time. Cities and towns as well as small and medium-sized businesses are not immune to these changes. That’s why we are giving a few suggestions of ways you can help your local businesses or municipalities this year either as a part of a group giving back or an individual looking to enact change. 

Here are a few suggestions to get you started. 

Align Your Passions With Your Community Needs 

Getting involved in your community is easy when what you are doing is something you have a special skill at or is something that you are passionate about. 

For instance, do you have mentoring skills, business acumen, or a skill like technology, marketing, or accounting, that could help a business or non-profit this year? Skills such as teaching, coaching, organizing, or just being an extra set of hands for a struggling group could make a difference this year. 

Allow Employees a Day of Volunteering 

If you have the time, revenue, and capability to allow your team members to go out into their communities to volunteer, do it. From coaching Little League Baseball to helping organize a food drive, your employees can become ambassadors of goodwill as well as feel good about their ability to give back. 

Pinpoint a Community Need and Fulfill It

Whether it’s partnering with a local shelter or cleaning up a park in disrepair, your business team can make a huge mark on the town or city in which you set up shop. This suggestion can be incredibly unique and customizable to your particular set of circumstances. Each town and city has differing needs, from building walking paths along rail trails to creating much-needed dog parks for hard-working folks without a yard. The options are endless depending upon the community you live or work in. 

Mentor a Growing Business 

If you own a well-developed, mature business, you have so much you can give to other businesses even if they are not in your industry. Talk to your team about mentoring smaller businesses either in your industry or in related fields to help them grow and expand from your expertise, knowledge, and years of experience. You may even find that the mentoring isn’t just a positive for the business you are helping but for your team as well.

Start a Scholarship Fund 

A great way to give back to the youth in your community is to set up a scholarship for a student who is continuing their education in your field of business. The scholarship could be in memory of someone who has passed in your industry or someone who has made a huge impact in your field. The choice is up to you, but consider the major impact you would have on the future education of someone looking to enter the field of business in which you specialize.