{"id":14542,"date":"2018-08-22T22:10:01","date_gmt":"2018-08-22T22:10:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.valpak.com\/?p=14542"},"modified":"2020-04-27T18:57:53","modified_gmt":"2020-04-27T18:57:53","slug":"businesses-giving-back","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.valpak.com\/advertise\/blog\/businesses-giving-back","title":{"rendered":"Giving Back: How Small Businesses Make a Big Difference"},"content":{"rendered":"

The end of the year brings a rise in charitable giving from consumers and businesses alike. And small businesses are some of the most generous givers there are. In fact, 75% of small businesses donate to charities each year and nearly half (42%) give up to $1,000 to charities.<\/p>\n

Before we get into how small businesses are giving back, let\u2019s take a look at why it\u2019s important.<\/p>\n

1. Giving Back is Good for Business<\/h3>\n

Giving back not only feels good, it also looks good for your business. 85% of consumers<\/a> have a more positive image of a company that supports a cause they care about and 9 in 10 millenials will switch brands<\/a> to one associated with a cause.<\/p>\n

As a small business, authentic philanthropy carries a great deal of weight in your local community. While true philanthropy doesn\u2019t seek recognition, it can be a natural extension of your generosity and participation, increasing brand awareness, attracting prospective employees and bringing in new business.<\/p>\n

2. Supports Your Community<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Consumers shop local because they feel strongly about supporting members of their communities. When you give back, especially to a local charity, you show your customers you care about your neighborhood too. Getting involved in local causes is also a great way to network and build relationships with other community leaders.<\/p>\n

3. Tax Benefits<\/strong><\/h3>\n

It\u2019s no secret there are certain tax deductions available to businesses that make charitable contributions. For your donation to qualify, your chosen charity must be a 501(c)(3) organization. The IRS has an easy-to-use tool that enables you to look up a registered charity<\/a>. Remember, you should always check with a tax consultant for the most current laws on tax deductions for charitable giving.<\/p>\n

Now that you know the why, it\u2019s important to look at how your small business can get involved.<\/p>\n

How Small Businesses Can Give Back<\/h2>\n

1. Pick a Cause<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Pick a cause that aligns with your business. For example, if you\u2019re a pet groomer, pick a local animal shelter or rescue organization to give back to. If you own a restaurant, donate food to a local pantry or volunteer your time to serve dinner at a shelter. Be sure to ask your employees for their input too.<\/p>\n

2. Verify Before Donating<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Sadly, there are bogus charities out there. Make sure the charity you are considering and other charitable donations are verified by checking its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt number on trusted sites. We recommend:<\/p>\n