When you’re growing a small business, what happens in the community around you is almost as important as what happens within your organization. Strong, tight-knit communities cultivate thriving businesses, and business owners can set themselves up for success by being a good corporate neighbor to the communities they serve.

“Being a good neighbor takes a locally based approach to corporate responsibility,” explains Jake Gross, Vice President, Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) and Fair Banking Manager at Byline Bank. “It means getting involved with local initiatives and going beyond selling goods or services to better your community.”

It’s also good business. Customers increasingly flock to brands whose values align with their own, with more than four in five shoppers considering a brand’s values in their shopping decisions. And, because today’s employees seek out like-minded employers, being a corporate neighbor can help you attract and retain top talent, too.

Thankfully, there are more opportunities than ever to strengthen your community. Here are five ways to give back—plus, insights from Gross on how to make each of your ventures a success.

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