National Volunteer Week Community Support Index

By: Sarah McIntosh, IWS Content Team

In honor of National Volunteer Week, we’re showcasing the contributions of small business owners to their community.  We conducted the Third Annual Community Support Index to gauge the level of involvement small businesses have with local charities. With more than 500 responses, we found that small businesses contributed 22 percent more money to charities this year compared to last year.

The survey also highlighted the social responsibility of small businesses. When asked why they support local charities, the number one reason cited by small business owners was to reinvest in their own community.  Other significant findings included:

• 92.6 percent of small business owners believe it is important to donate money to charities
• 59.2 percent of the businesses surveyed have made a donation of $1,000 or more in the last 12 months
• 78.2 percent of  small business  donations go to children’s charities
• 83.3 percent of small business owners believe it is important to volunteer time and support to charities

Whether they’re donating time, money or resources, small business owners are the first to lend a helping hand. They are your neighbors and they have a vested interest in your community’s well-being. By supporting independent business, you’re making it possible for them to continue to give back to the community. So let’s all do our part and “buy local” whenever possible.