Local businesses, particularly small businesses, have the power to help local communities come together. Local businesses establish a unique identity in a community and are a boon to the local economy. They also have a unique opportunity to really help lift their community in ways that other companies simply can’t.

Giving back is so important for all businesses. Not only does it help establish your brand’s name amongst your primary customer base, but it can actually make a positive impact in the community around you. If you help invest in your community, for example, you can elevate your neighbours so that they are happier, wealthier and more excited about engaging with their local brands.

You and all your neighbouring businesses can truly make a difference. To get started, use these top tips.

Host Events

Partner up with your local small businesses and host events. This can be a fun market on each Sunday of the month, for example. It could be a special Christmas event where all the stores on a street compete to see who has the best Christmas decorations. Small events are a great way to draw people to your area, which, in turn, increases foot traffic, sales and brand recognition. Partnering with other brands makes these events a big deal and something that locals in your area can actively look forward to!

Host Fundraisers

Fundraisers are so important when it comes to community action. Partner with your fellow small business owners to decide on a cause that will directly impact your community. It could be to create a travel fund for underprivileged kids at a local school. It could be a fundraiser to help support the local shelter in your area. Whatever you choose, fundraise. There are so many excellent and easy fundraising ideas to get you started.

The best part about any fundraiser is that it works to simultaneously bring communities together while raising money for a good cause.

Offer Career Development

Offer internships and other training development opportunities to your local community. You can even offer short workshops or courses to help those in your area build up on essential life skills. Say, for instance, you own a local plumbing store. You can hold cheap classes on how to do things like fix a leaky sink. You can also offer internships if you run a service-based business to help young people in your area build up essential skills and experience.

Support Local Artists

There are so many talented people in the world, and giving them a platform is a great way to boost your local economy while also drawing in your community as a whole. If you own a store, for example, create some space on your shelf and give people in your neighbourhood a chance to sell their handmade wares at your store. You can change out whose products you sell on a monthly basis to really help more people see the talent near them and support their local artists.