Corporate social responsibility (CSR)

Community engagement is an important part of CSR, along with how a business treats its employees, customers and the environment.
Businesses can support their local community in many ways. For example, they can:

• donate money to local charities
• sponsor local events
• organise clean-up activities
• volunteer in schools or community projects

For most businesses, it makes commercial sense to engage in community-based CSR related to their products or services. This lets you use your expertise and show the human face of your business at the same time. For example, restaurants may provide food to local charities, and builders may offer free labour for community projects. Look for opportunities that benefit both your business and your community, such as improving your local area.

Community and employee engagement

Many businesses include their employees in decisions about CSR activities. You can, for example:

• support charities that were chosen by your staff
• encourage staff to volunteer for community activities
• give staff paid time off for volunteering
• help employees to make tax-free donations to charity through 'payroll giving'

As well as improving community relations, involving your staff in CSR can help motivate them and encourage their personal and professional development.

Advantages of community involvement for business

Working with your local community can bring many benefits. For many businesses, local customers are an important source of sales. Showing commitment to your community can improve your reputation and make it easier for you to recruit or retain employees.

Good relationships with local authorities can also help. For example, some may prefer to award contracts to businesses with a record of community involvement. For more ways to make an impact, see CSR activity ideas for your business.