“Community is much more than belonging to something; it’s about doing something together that makes belonging matter,” said Brian Solis. Family businesses—rooted in tradition and proximity—are uniquely positioned to do just that. While philanthropy often conjures images of large checks and grand gestures, many of the most impactful forms of giving involve something simpler: sharing what you already do best. From offering skills and space to mentoring or collaborating with local organizations, these quieter forms of contribution are powerful. In this expert roundup, we explore how everyday business practices—done with intention—can become meaningful ways to strengthen the communities they serve.

Free Marketing Workshops Build Community Relationships

One thing we’ve done that really stuck was offering free marketing workshops for local small businesses, especially solo founders and mom-and-pop shops. It came from a simple idea: we’ve built all this experience running campaigns and building brands, and there are people down the street who could use that knowledge. Instead of just cutting a check, we opened up our space one Saturday a month and walked folks through things like setting up a Google Business Profile or writing their first newsletter. It was scrappy, but it mattered.

What surprised me most was how reciprocal it felt. We weren’t just giving back—we were building relationships with the neighborhood. One baker we helped out ended up catering one of our events. Another workshop attendee referred us to a larger client down the line. But even if none of that had happened, the goodwill alone was worth it. My advice to other family-run businesses: share what you know, not just what you have. Your skills are often more valuable to the community than you think.

Matt Purcell, Owner, PCI Pest Control

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Skills Day Creates Youth Pipeline for Travel Industry

When I noticed burnout spreading among my colleagues, I put together a “Travel Industry Skills Day” at a local high school. We spent the day teaching tourism and customer service skills to underserved students.

This event brought new energy to our team. It also sparked a pipeline of passionate young professionals who now join our paid internship program.

Family businesses have a real chance to share their expertise by starting mentorship programs. Think about the bakery that runs monthly cooking classes for seniors, or the law firm down the street that offers free weekly legal clinics.

Programs like these build genuine goodwill. They show off what makes your business special in ways that cash donations just can’t match.

It’s all about finding your “signature contribution”—that sweet spot where your business strengths meet a real community need. I like to call it the “perfect match principle.”

Joe Hawtin, Owner, Marin County Visitor

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Veterans Receive Free Pest Control with Dignity

Pest Pros offers free pest control services to veterans and seniors during select times of the year. It started small—just a couple of service calls during Veterans Day week—but the response was overwhelming. I recall visiting a home in Kalamazoo where an older veteran had been dealing with mice all winter and was too embarrassed to ask for help. We cleared it out, sealed the entry points, and he couldn’t stop thanking us. It stuck with me because it wasn’t just about pest control—it was about dignity, about giving someone peace of mind without them having to ask.

Since then, we’ve made it part of our community calendar. We allow people to nominate someone in need and try to select a few homes each quarter. What I’ve learned is that family businesses have a unique advantage: we’re close enough to our communities to know where help is needed, and small enough to act quickly. If you’re another family-run business looking for ways to give back, think about offering your time and skill, not just your wallet. It creates a deeper connection and makes your team feel proud of the work they’re doing.

Anthony Sorrentino, Owner, Pest Pros of Michigan

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High School Apprenticeships Offer Access, Not Money

One approach we took in our family business was offering short-term apprenticeships to local high school students, specifically kids who weren’t headed to college and didn’t have a clear next step. It started informally, with just one student coming in for a week to shadow our warehouse team. But the impact was immediate. He asked questions no one on our staff had thought to ask, and his presence energized the crew. We formalized it into a rotating program every quarter, with mentorship built in, and let students move through operations, customer service, and even a day with leadership.

What we learned was that giving back isn’t always about money—it’s about access. By opening up the business, even in small, structured ways, we gave these students a look at what work can feel like beyond a classroom or retail job. For family businesses, I’d recommend looking inward: what roles or routines could be temporarily shared to inspire someone else’s future? It costs you time, not cash, and the returns—for both sides—are real.

Jay Vincent, Owner, Smart Solutions Pest Control

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Service Swaps Provide Pest Control to Shelters

One of the most meaningful ways we’ve given back as a family business is through what we call “service swaps.” Every quarter, we partner with local nonprofits and shelters, offering free pest control services—not just a one-time spray, but a full quarterly service, just like we’d for any paying customer. It stemmed from a conversation with a local women’s shelter director who mentioned they had a major roach issue but couldn’t afford professional help. That hit me—our team has a skill set most people don’t, and it’s something we can give without writing a check.

The impact was immediate. Not only did it give our techs a sense of purpose, but word also spread in the community in a way no marketing campaign could have achieved. One of the shelter coordinators later told me, “No one ever wants to help with the bugs—but your team did.” For other family businesses, my advice is to identify something your team excels at and offer it where it’s needed most. Giving your time and skill can be just as valuable—if not more—than giving money.

Chris Rowland, Owner, Rowland Pest Management

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Mentorship Programs Build Skills Beyond Financial Donations

One innovative way we’ve found to give back beyond just financial donations is by creating mentorship programs for local youth and small entrepreneurs. A few years ago, we launched a quarterly workshop where our team shares practical skills like basic accounting, marketing, and customer service with aspiring business owners in the community. This hands-on support feels more impactful than just writing a check because it helps build lasting local capacity. We also partner with nearby schools to provide internships, giving students real-world experience and a foot in the door. Another idea we’re exploring is donating excess materials or unused office space to nonprofits that can use them, reducing waste and supporting causes directly. These efforts have strengthened community ties and created goodwill that no amount of money alone could buy. It’s about investing time and expertise to create shared value.

Nikita Sherbina, Co-Founder & CEO, AIScreen

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Free Maintenance Workshops Help Families Cut Costs

Our team started offering free basic maintenance workshops at the local community center, teaching people simple boiler fixes and energy-saving tips that have helped dozens of families reduce their heating bills. We also partner with the local technical college to provide apprenticeships to students from low-income backgrounds – three of our current technicians started this way. Just last winter, we organized a ‘Warm Homes’ initiative where we did basic heating system checks for elderly residents, which honestly felt more rewarding than any paid job.

Lara Woodham, Director, Rowlen Boiler Services

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Student Shadowing Program Demystifies Real Estate Careers

Something I’ve loved doing is inviting local high school students to shadow me for a day as I renovate properties or meet with homeowners—that real-world exposure can spark interest in real estate careers and demystify the process of home ownership. We’ve also offered our rental properties as spaces for community meetings or church outreach events, which turns our business assets into resources that serve our neighbors directly and foster deeper connections. Sometimes, just making our doors (and our experience) open to others has a bigger impact than any check ever could.

Paul Myers, Founder, Myers House Buyers

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Kitchen Mentor Program Inspires Young Entrepreneurs

When I was building Dirty Dough, we started a monthly ‘Kitchen Mentor’ program where local teens could shadow our bakers and learn business basics. Generally speaking, family businesses have unique knowledge that can inspire the next generation – whether it’s accounting, customer service, or just learning how to show up on time. I’ve seen kids who started in our kitchen program go on to start their own small businesses, which is way more impactful than just donating money.

Bennett Maxwell, CEO, Franchise KI

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Restaurant Cooking Classes Create Employment Pipeline

Recently, I started offering weekly cooking classes at our restaurants where local teens learn culinary skills and food safety, with graduates getting first consideration for our entry-level positions. Last month, three of our student participants joined our kitchen team, and seeing their growth from students to employed professionals has been incredibly rewarding for everyone involved.

Allen Kou, Owner and Operator, Zinfandel Grille

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Logistics Expertise Transforms Local Food Distribution

One approach that’s really stuck with me came from a small, family-owned logistics company we partnered with last year. Instead of writing a check, they committed a few hours every other Friday to help local food banks with their actual distribution logistics. They used their warehouse space and team to sort, pack, and route food deliveries more efficiently. What blew me away was how naturally their existing skills translated into impact. It wasn’t just “volunteer time”—it was real operations help that made a tangible difference.

That experience reshaped how I think about giving back. It’s not always about resources—it’s about relevance. As someone in ops, I’ve started encouraging other family businesses in our network to look at what they’re already great at and ask, “Who else could use this?” Whether it’s offering mentoring hours, equipment, or even space for local groups, those kinds of contributions often go further than cash—and they build real relationships in the community.

Samantha Stuart, Co-Founder, Magic City Pest Control

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Trade Skill Swaps Create Community Support Networks

Something I’ve found really meaningful is forming “trade skill swap” days, where our team and other local businesses teach each other skills—like a plumber showing our crew quick fixes while we share negotiation tips or project management tricks. It creates a ripple effect: neighbors leave with practical know-how, and those connections often lead to ongoing support networks. Building these kinds of partnerships doesn’t just help individuals—it makes the whole community stronger and a little more self-reliant.

Jasper Cool, Founder, Bright Home Offer

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Hands-On Repair Days Help Families in Need

One way our family business gives back is by organizing hands-on home repair days—rolling up our sleeves to help local families who can’t afford urgent fixes, like a leaky roof or drafty windows. I’ve also found that mentoring young athletes or students in the community, drawing from my coaching and sports background, helps build confidence and life skills in ways that last far beyond a financial donation. These direct, personal connections make a lasting impact and show that we’re invested in our neighbors’ well-being.

Parker McInnis, Owner, Speedy Sale Home Buyers

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Free Property Advice Maximizes Home Value

One of my favorite ways to give back is by offering free property walkthroughs for families considering selling or renovating—sharing honest advice on how to maximize their home’s value, even if they don’t work with us. I’ve also opened up our projects for local art students to display their work in staging, giving young artists real-world exposure while brightening up the neighborhood. Giving knowledge and opportunities can have a ripple effect that lasts much longer than a simple donation.

Nick Elo, Founder, Fast Vegas Home Buyers

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Workshop Tours Inspire Youth Real Estate Careers

One creative way family businesses can give back is by sharing their expertise—like hosting free workshops to teach youth about homeownership or renovation skills. I’ve seen firsthand how opening up one of our in-progress flips for a community tour not only educated locals about real estate but also inspired young people to consider careers they hadn’t imagined. It’s about investing time and knowledge to build stronger community roots, not just writing a check.

Gene Martin, Founder, Martin Legacy Holdings

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Home Repair Workshops Build Community Equity

One of the most impactful ways we’ve given back beyond donations is by organizing home repair workshops for local families—sharing our real estate expertise to help people maintain and build equity in their homes. Hosting neighborhood clean-ups or offering mentoring programs for young adults interested in real estate are other hands-on ways we connect with and strengthen our community.

Travis Copeland, Founder, Wright Home Offer

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Renovation Projects Showcase Local Artist Talent

One innovative way we’ve given back is by using our home renovation projects as platforms for community art—inviting local artists and students to paint murals or create public art installations on properties we’re updating. It not only beautifies the neighborhood, but also gives budding creatives a chance to showcase their talent and take pride in their community, which has had a lasting effect on both the properties and the people involved. Seeing a once-bland wall turned into a vibrant mural is a powerful reminder that giving back sometimes means just making space for others to shine.

Casey Ryan, Founder, We Buy Any Vegas House

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Construction Know-How Transforms Neglected Community Spaces

One approach I’ve taken is to launch community improvement projects that blend our construction know-how with local needs—like partnering with neighborhood groups to revitalize neglected parks or gathering spots. By donating materials and organizing volunteer crews from our staff and their families, we transform these spaces together, building a sense of ownership and pride. It’s hands-on, brings people together, and leaves a visible, lasting impact right where we all live.

Jeremy Schooler, Founder, Kitsap Home Pro

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