Community Impact Checklist for Busy Business Owners
Give back with purpose, clarity, and alignment
Clarify What Matters to You – What causes, communities, or issues do I feel most connected to? – Is there a natural connection between my mission and a community need? – Would I feel good about supporting this cause even if no one knew I did it?
Find the Right Format – Could I: – Offer a scholarship or sliding scale? – Host a pay-what-you-can workshop? – Mentor someone getting started in my field? – Volunteer in a way that uses my strengths? – Partner with an organization to co-create something? – Are there existing causes or events I can support instead of creating something new?
Assess What You Can Offer – Time – How many hours/month could I realistically give? – Skills or Services – What am I uniquely positioned to offer? – Products – Can I donate or discount any offerings without straining my business? – Platform – Can I use my audience or influence to spotlight others? – Reflection: What are my services or time actually worth? Am I okay offering them for free or at a reduced rate-and how often can I sustainably do that?
Check for Sustainability – Does this fit my current bandwidth? – Will this energize me-or leave me drained? – Can I set clear boundaries around what I’m offering and for how long? – Is this a one-time gift or an ongoing commitment-and am I okay with that?
Consider the Mutual Value – Could this opportunity lead to meaningful connections or future collaborations? – Is this a space where I can grow my network or visibility in a natural, authentic way? – Does this align with my ideal client or community? – Would I feel good about this even if it didn’t turn into business? – Note: Giving back and growing your business don’t have to be separate. Volunteering, teaching, or mentoring can be powerful forms of visibility when done with sincerity and purpose.
Share Thoughtfully – If I talk about this publicly, can I center the impact or story-not just myself? – Can I share this in a way that invites others to get involved too? – Do I feel proud and in integrity with how I’m showing up?
