When it comes to air duct cleaning, there’s no one better than Ductz. And when it comes to neighbors… The same holds true. Besides delivering exceptional results and professional service, the central Indiana business strives to give back to the community. The team cleans all the ducts for the Habitat for Humanity builds before families move in. They pitch in to perform annual dryer vent cleanings for Ronald McDonald House, participate in fundraisers, and prepare/serve meals for families with children in the hospital. Ductz wants to make a “positive difference in the lives of its neighbors.”

For companies like Ductz, philanthropy isn’t a buzzword; it’s an integral part of their culture. It’s how they do business – and it’s also good for business!

Small Business Philanthropy

Small businesses have a big impact on their communities; in fact, they donate 250% more than their larger counterparts. They tend to focus on local causes, from area charities and local aid groups to religious organizations and first responders. And, like Ductz, they are also willing to roll up their sleeves and get to work volunteering their time and skills.

The majority (75%) of small businesses donate 6% of their profits to charitable organizations annually. (Imagine if the Amazons of the world did that!)

With local nonprofits, you can see the impact of your philanthropic efforts first-hand – but what about the impact on your business?

Doing Good Is Good Business

Doing good is, of course, its own reward. That said, small business philanthropy does translate into bottom line results. How?

Build Your Reputation

For companies like Ductz, and countless more in our area, philanthropy is interwoven into their model. This not only increases awareness of your brand but also helps you build a sterling reputation. This is critical, now more than ever. Eighty-five percent of consumers have a more favorable opinion of companies that give to charity.

Engage Customers/Clients

Making a great impression on consumers is… well, great – but encouraging them to take the next steps with you is where you start to see gains. Nearly half of consumers want to purchase/work with brands that support a good cause (regularly, not just with a splashy PR-driven one-off). Further, though, 90% want to know how you are doing it. What, specifically, are you supporting a local charity? Do you donate money? Time? Expertise? Do you clean ducts, build houses, fix plumbing, supply advice? Do you run fundraisers? Do you serve meals?

Tell them; engage them. They’ll pay you back.

Boost Employee Morale

When companies participate actively in philanthropy, their people are much more likely to be engaged and satisfied with their work in general. It boosts morale, increases employee wellbeing, and strengthens relationships among team members. The even better news is that there are a variety of ways you can support charitable/local organizations (and your people):

• Matching Gift Program
• Volunteer Time-Off
• Corporate Volunteerism
• Volunteer Grants Program

Your people want to volunteer and give; help them do it.

Enhance Employee Recruitment

While especially true of Millennials and Gen Zs, we would go so far as to generalize that most people want to work with an employer who has a strong culture of giving and philanthropy. Our industry is perpetually struggling with workforce development: as a strong supporter of worthy causes, you sharpen your competitive edge when it comes to recruiting – and retaining – top talent.

Strengthen Community Relationships

We work here. We live here. As part of the community, it is natural that we would step up and take on a meaningful role in supporting organizations and initiatives that align with our values. This helps forge and maintain strong ties with our neighbors. And, it must be said, it does keep us top of mind when folks are looking for home industry help.

It’s the Right Thing to Do

While we can, and should, publicize our philanthropic efforts, the bottom line is that it’s the right thing to do. That it benefits our businesses is secondary to the fact that it benefits the community.

Visit Home Artisans of Indiana to learn how we can build better businesses (and communities) – together.