This document outlines five ways that entrepreneurs can enhance their local communities: 1) Sponsor non-profit organizations in the community to gain visibility and promote generosity; 2) Incorporate volunteering into the company mission to encourage a spirit of giving back among employees; 3) Design business models that automatically donate a portion of purchases to charitable causes; 4) Contribute to the local economy by purchasing supplies from and partnering with local businesses; 5) Promote other local businesses through co-marketing to create a sense of community among business owners in the area. The overall message is that supporting community organizations and showing investment in the local area can help businesses build value with customers and within their own organizations.

1. WAYS ENTREPRENEURS
CAN ENHANCE
LOCAL COMMUNITIES
BENNAT BERGER
5
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON ENTREPRENEUR.COM

2. “When you give to your community, the
community tends to give back to you.”
Annie Pilon

3. SPONSOR NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATIONS IN
THE COMMUNITY1
Many local organizations
are looking for company
sponsors to cover the costs
of major events and some
administrative expenses.

4. They will do their part to promote your
generosity through their marketing
efforts, which can help you get more
visibility in the community.

5. INCORPORATE
VOLUNTEERING IN THE
COMPANY MISSION2Make a passion for social
good part of your
company’s mission so
you and your employees
can give back to the
community together.

6. Encouraging a spirit of volunteerism and
giving back within your mission statement
- and through ways you operate as a
company -- can be beneficial to both team
members and the community at large.

7. DESIGN A
BUSINESS MODEL
THAT GIVES BACK3The goal is to automate the
donation to a non-profit so
that all customers and
clients are aware that a
portion of their purchase
ends up with a good cause.

8. If your business can organically
incorporate community enhancement
into its ethos, that’s even better.

9. As your business gains momentum,
you should consider branching out
to more than one charitable
organization or community project
to serve as a philanthropist.

10. CONTRIBUTE TO THE
LOCAL ECONOMY4Contribute to the local
economy by buying supplies
and raw materials from
local vendors and partner
with local businesses for
any services and other
business-related purchases.

11. Opening new
businesses or building
new properties or
even green spaces,
like parks, can also
enhance a community
by drawing in foot
traffic and tourism,
thus boosting local
businesses and
stimulating the
economy.

12. PROMOTE LOCAL
BUSINESSES5You can take the lead on
promoting other local
businesses through co-
marketing efforts or
simply through referrals.

13. The goal is to create a sense of community and
camaraderie among other business owners
since you are all invested in selling and
marketing to the same customers.

14. Showing your support for non-profits and
community organizations can help you build
value, both within the organization as you
encourage a spirit of volunteerism and
philanthropy, and with your customers as you
show you are invested in your local
community’s quality of life and future.

15. Read full article on Entrepreneur.com
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