Though giving back and volunteering is something that is highly beneficial to the community and individual health, it’s not as common as we think. Our organization, Lerner & Rowe Gives Back, encourages Valley businesses to start giving back to the local community that gives them so much, including constant support and business. When we come together for the greater good, we can all live healthier, happier lives with the help of others.

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A 2020 study by researchers in the United Kingdom found that volunteering and giving back to the community increased a person’s happiness over time. People who volunteered at least once a month were reported to have better mental health than less frequent volunteers.

Here are five reasons why your business should give back to the community.

1. To Support Your Own Clients

Your clients picked you for a reason – they believe that you are able to help and support them. Why not return the favor? Really listening to your client’s experiences and supporting the causes that are near and dear to their hearts lets them know that you don’t just care about the business they’re giving you. It shows that your company cares about what matters to them.

2. To Retain Employees and Boost Company Morale

Volunteering and contributing to a cause has been proven to increase feelings of worth in an individual, especially within a business setting. It makes employees feel like they’re a part of something bigger than themselves. It can also give employees a feeling of being part of a team. Working together at community nonprofits and events helps build bonds between employees and makes for improved company culture.

3. To Support Causes Specific to Your Industry

Is there a cause or nonprofit that you don’t agree with? No problem. There are approximately

1.8 million nonprofit organizations in the United States, which means the world is your oyster. Pick an organization or fundraiser that means something to your business. With Lerner & Rowe Gives Back, we like to host backpack drives and education-based fundraisers because education is an important part of our company’s values. Part of our mission is to redirect our youth to better education and life choices. By helping them have the necessary tools to more effectively learn, we believe we can help them achieve those goals.

4. To Build Trust with the Public

Think about when you are trying to decide between two similar companies. How do you make your choice? Is it a location? Size of the company? How cool their social media page looks? It might be all of these things. Human beings are heavily influenced by people that align with our interests. When a company supports a cause, it shows it cares about something other than its

own profits. This produces a feeling of connection between the company and the consumer, making a customer or client want to come back for more.

5. To Personalize Connections to the Community

Building meaningful connections and relationships with the community, whether it’s with a restaurant owner or a stay-at-home parent who frequents the local park with their kids, helps with word-of-mouth recommendations and mentions. Word-of-mouth marketing is one of the most powerful forms of marketing. People like to recommend products and services to their friends when they have a really great experience. Personalizing these connections through philanthropic events helps reach the everyday consumer and can drive support for your company.

 

Author: Kevin Rowe is a Founder and Principal of the law offices of Lerner & Rowe, PC. For more information, visit www.lernerandrowe.com.