Small Business’ Colossal Philanthropic Impact

Business philanthropy is for large companies only. Not true!

In the United States, small business is actually the backbone of the economy. According to the U.S. Bureau of the Census, small firms represent more than 99.7 percent of all employers. Although national brands like McDonalds, Coca-Cola and Nike have larger budgets, it doesn't mean that a company is too small to make a difference in their community. West Michigan has many such organizations:

Black Dog Productions is an organization that specializes in trade show, showroom and special events management. President and owner Kelly Boos has been giving back to West Michigan through her commitment to nonprofit organizations for the past 4 years.

"Giving back comes from my personal passion for children and animals. We all have gifts and talents to share. It's my mission to help others," she explains with enthusiasm. Her company has volunteered for and supported Make-A-Wish Foundation of Michigan, Humane Society of West Michigan, Kids' Food Basket and Gilda's Club to name a few.  

WilliamCharles, an executive search firm, has a similar philosophy. For the last 11 years, they supported organizations such as Junior Achievement, Civic Theater, Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, The Right Place and Experience Grand Rapids. As the economy has suffered, their philanthropy has not.

"We have had a shift toward the community's greatest need and that has also been through countless hours of job hunting and career advising for hundreds of West Michigan job seekers," articulates partner, Bill Benson. The organization also chooses a charity for the year for the entire staff to volunteer their time as well as provides discounts to nonprofits for their executive search services.

Strategic philanthropy in the small business setting comes natural at Avanti Law Group. The law firm now beginning only its second year of business has so many requests for donations that they have created guidelines for their philanthropic efforts. As a bi-lingual and multi-cultural organization, the requests have been quite diverse. The legal group has supported nonprofit organizations such as the Latin Americans United for Progress, Justice for our Neighbor, West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Lakeshore Latino Outreach Center and First Tee of West Michigan. Donations aren't the only way they support their local community, however. They also provide free legal services to many organizations as well as offer impact litigation, which affects all of us as citizens.  "We are the new kids on the block," explains partner Raquel Salas, "and we are growing and still able to provide philanthropic support in a down economy. That's how important it is to us at Avanti Law Group."

These three organizations, as well as many others like them, keep our charities sustainable. With a growing need for nonprofit services, we have to remember to thank our small businesses for their unwavering and very generous support.

Want to be a do-gooder just like these organizations? Support one of their chosen charities:

Source: Kelly Boos, Black Dog Productions; Bill Benson, WilliamCharles; Robert Alvarez, Avanti Law Group; Raquel Salas, Avanti Law Group

Writer: Jennifer Wilson, Do Good Editor