There are always plenty of opportunities to give back to the community that has welcomed you and your business with open arms. Community service is one of the best ways to build your brand's presence. If you are an active member of the community and work to make it a better place for locals and tourists, people will be more likely to do business with you.

Acts of service are simple to come up with and you can get creative with it too! Here are some simple yet effective ways to stay involved and give back to your community.

Volunteer

When people think of giving back, volunteering is one of the first words that come to mind. From food banks to animal shelters, nonprofits and other organizations are always looking for volunteers. Long-term partnerships and business relationships can come out of volunteering as well!

Fundraising

Raising funds for a community initiative or cause can draw more attention to your business and its values. There are several ways you could go about this. For instance, if you own a bakery, you could sell your baked goods at a Breast Cancer Awareness 5k (since it's currently October). Proceeds from all sales could go to a foundation specializing in breast cancer research and helping patients with medical expenses.

Bring awareness to local issues

Is there a current crisis or event occuring in your community? Voice your stance and offer your support in any way possible. You could even incorporate the ways mentioned above to offer a hand. When people see your brand is vocal and not afraid to speak up on current events and issues, they'll admire your willingness to be open, honest, and hopefully create change.

Community service isn't solely about gaining good PR, it's about being authentic and genuine. When your community grows and thrives, your brand does too.