Today, it is essential for businesses to demonstrate real social responsibility.
- Donating to the local community or the entire world can improve your brand’s reputation.
- Your company will be more attractive to job candidates if you focus on sustainability.
- Keeping your values in line with your business will help you maintain a positive brand image.
- This article is intended for business owners that want to make their company more socially responsible.
Consumers today are concerned about much more than the quality of products and services. Consumers pay attention to a business’s values, how it makes its products, and its environmental impact.
Customers want to know that the companies they do business with will demonstrate Corporate Social Responsibility because they want to know that their money is being used for something positive. Corporate social responsibility can bring businesses benefits such as improved brand perception, increased consumer loyalty, and satisfaction from doing the right thing.
We will highlight ten companies that put social responsibility at the core of their business and offer tips on how you can become a socially-responsible organization.
Examples of socially responsible business
These are some examples of companies that follow socially responsible business principles.
Accessibility Partners
Most people consider their smartphones, computers, and tablets a given. Using these technologies can be a challenge for people with disabilities. Accessibility Partners collaborates with federal agencies, other organizations, and private and public IT manufacturing companies. They test and review IT products to make them accessible to people with disabilities.
The Giving Keys
The Giving Keys, a “pay-it-forward” company, employs homeless people and pays them a living wage. The company provides employee benefits with each job and paid leave for housing, education, and case management appointments.
The Giving Keys sells inspirational jewelry that includes words like “Dream,” “Create,” and “Inspire.” They encourage people to pay it forward, giving their product to someone else who could use the message.
Headbands of hope
Jessica Ekstrom, who had a life-changing experience at the Make-A-Wish Foundation and wanted to help children with life-threatening diseases by starting her business, decided that she would do so.
Headbands of Hope is her company that sells headbands made in the United States. The company donates a headband for every headband it sells to a cancer child. HOH donated headbands for every hospital for children in the United States.
Did you know? Sharing your social impact data with potential investors can increase their interest and help them consider your idea.
Juntos
This ethically-conscious fashion startup created a shoe inspired by traditional Ecuadorian canvases. Juntos donates backpacks filled with school supplies to a child in Ecuador who is at risk for not participating fully and effectively.
Krochet Kids
Three high school friends who shared a love for snow sports learned how to crochet their headwear years ago. Krochet kids, who sold their custom-made creations to classmates in high school, ceased to exist when they entered college.
Krochet Kids, a company granted nonprofit status in 2008 that helps more than 150 Ugandans, Peruvians, and other nationalities earn a living by selling crocheted items, has been operating since then.
Love Your Melon
Love Your Melon has a mission to pris provide hats to every child in America fighting cancer and to support nonprofit organizations that are arching pediatric cancer cures. The company donates 50% of its profits from selling hats and scarves to cancer research. Since its founding in 2012, the company has donated over $9.8 million and over 250,000 caps.
Prime Five Homes
Prime Five Homes don’t build your average house. Prime Five Homes’ modern sustainable homes are equipped with less energy, water, and gas, so buyers can be assured they’re buying a better home for the environment.
The Dream Builders Project is the company’s nonprofit arm, and 10 percent of every sale goes there. It provides services to selected charities, as well as monetary donations.
Rainbow Light
Rainbow Light was founded in 1981 and began selling nutritional supplements containing spirulina to health-conscious customers. In addition to expanding its line of natural accessories, the company is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of its customers, trade partners, the global community, and the planet.
Rainbow Light supplements help fight global malnutrition through Vitamin Angels. This nonprofit delivers vitamins to mothers and babies at risk. It uses packaging that is 100 percent recyclable and BPA-free.
Sand Cloud
Sand Cloud is an online beach lifestyle retailer selling beach blankets, towels, and other accessories. Sand Cloud, founded in 2014, donates 10% of its profits to preserving marine life. It has partnered up with nonprofits like the Marine Conservation Institute (MCI), the Surfrider Foundation (SRF), the Pacific Marine Mammal Center (PMMC), San Diego Coastkeepers, and the Hawaii Wildlife Fund.
Wanderer Bracelets
Wanderer Bracelets is a company that sells hand-carved products in Bali by local artists. Wanderer Bracelets, founded in 2014, has provided jobs to more than 150 Bali residents who earn three times as much as the standard salary. Each bracelet is made from repurposed, all-natural water buffalo bone.