We believe in the concept of “Putting your money where your house is” .
Every year Hurst Business Supply & Furniture Solutions and our employees donate thousands of dollars in cash and merchandise to “Local” charities and organizations. What is the impact of Small Business?
Small Business = Big Community Impact
Blayr Barnard / August 6, 2014
Basketball teams, youth activities, religious groups, educational foundations – What do all of these non-profit organizations have in common? They all rely heavily on the generosity of the community and small businesses account for a large part of those donations.
In 2011, corporate giving accounted for only 5% of total donations. One big box store is advertising heavily that they will be donating $1 billion to support education. While this number is very impressive, small businesses average $40 Billion Each Year in charitable donations. The difference is that each small business gives a smaller dollar amount and is unable to afford the kind of press the larger organizations get about their donations.
You may or may not be surprised by some additional statistics: 91% of small employers contributed to their local community in some fashion last year, 74% of small business owners volunteered their time and averaged 18 working days per year – over a half a month of service, 39% of employers allow their employees time to volunteer on the clock, 1 of every 10 small businesses donates more than $10,000 in CASH each year.
According to Local Works, for every $100 spent with a local vendor, $73 (73%) stays in your community. When the same amount is spent with a “non-local” national company, only $43 (43%) stays in your community. (See chart below.)