Giving Back: Good for Your Business, Your Community, and You.

Giving back to your community is always a great idea, and the benefits go further than you might think - for your community, for your business, and for you personally.

It's good for you

Whether you're volunteering your time, donating money, or making a call to a government official on behalf of a cause you care about, it makes a difference. You might be stepping outside your comfort zone, learning something new, or meeting people you never would have otherwise. And that feels good. Research has actually found that volunteering can increase longevity, reduce stress and anxiety, lower blood pressure, improve cognitive function, and give a real sense of purpose. Not a bad return on a few hours of your time.

Communities and organizations need you

Non-profits cannot function without the time, effort, and generosity of individuals. They rely on volunteers and donors for everything - office work, hands-on community programs, advocacy, and more.

I try to give back by fostering for a local animal rescue, and I am always amazed by everything that goes into helping just one animal. It truly takes a village, and every single role matters. This rescue, and so many organizations like it, simply could not do what they do without people showing up. (And yes, I tear up every time a foster goes to their forever home. )

If you're a maker, there's even more in it for you

Giving back tim benefits you, the comunity and your maker business.

Giving back as a maker can also be really good for your business. When you show up in your community, people notice. They connect with you differently when they see you care about the same things they do - and that kind of connection is hard to manufacture, because it isn't marketing. It's just you, doing something you believe in.

It's also a great way to get your name out there. Maybe you're handing out water at a marathon in your business t-shirt and someone looks you up. Maybe they spot your products at a charity auction, or see your business name on an adopt-a-trail sign. You're doing something good, and getting a little free advertising at the same time.

Our family business has adopted a highway mile on a busy road. Twice a year we spend a few hours outside cleaning up the ditches, and after compare the strange things we find. We've had it for ten years, and it's impressive how many people have mentioned seeing our sign over the years.

"You're doing something good and getting a little free advertising at the same time."

A few ways to get started

Some businesses weave giving back right into how they operate: donating a percentage of profits, doing a buy-one-give-one, creating a collection where proceeds go to a cause, or hosting a fundraising event. Those are all wonderful if they work for you. But there are so many ways to give back that don't require a big budget or a business overhaul. Whatever you can do is enough.

Here are are a few ideas to try out, or give you an idea for your own way to give back. Even doing something small makes a big difference. If you've done something you love, we'd love to hear about it!

1. Donate products to auctions or raffles: Creating a gift basket full of your items for an auction not only provides a great item to bid on, it also gets your name and product out in front of people who may look you up, follow you or become customers.

2. Create a Give-Back Product: Have one product in your line where a portion of the profit is donated to your favorite cause.

3. Feature the cause:  At a market, have a small sign that says “I support (fill in your cause)” with a QR code that takes them directly to the cause’s website.  On your website, post a small banner that links to their website. 

4. Post on social media:  Share your favorite cause and why you support them, your day of volunteering, how others can advocate, a product that you are donating a portion of the profits.  It builds trust, helps people connect with you, and it gives you quality content.

5. Teach your skills: You get to show off your skills, and you can help others learn your craft.

6. Adopt-A-Beach, Trail, Highway, Park: Clean up your community and get your name on a sign. 

7. Volunteer your time and maker skills: You name it, organizations need volunteers to help with it. If you have a specific skill with building, fixing, cooking, designing – someone will need help with it.  While you volunteer, wear a T-shirt with your business name on it.  

8. Organize or Participate in a Fundraiser Event:  A charity walk, school carnival, or community pop-up, there are endless events that need vendors, sponsors, or behind-the-scenes help. Consider working with other local makers to co-host a market where a percentage of all sales goes to a shared cause. You split the planning load, cross-promote to each other's audiences, and create a community event people will remember. Either way, you're showing up in front of a crowd that's already in a giving mindset, and that says a lot about your brand.

9. Collaborate with a non-profit on a limited-edition product:  Save the animals scarf, a ceramic dog dish, a themed candle or soap – with profits going directly to their cause.  They get useful items; you gain visibility whenever those items are used or sold. You tap into each other’s audience while directly supporting their mission.

10. Host a supply drive at your studio, shop, or booth: Helps the cause immediately and brings new people through your door.