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In business, it's easy to focus on revenue and staying ahead of the competition. But the most successful companies are the ones who strive to give something back. While no one would argue that it's simply the right thing to do, statistics show that it also comes with professional benefits.
A 2017 Deloitte survey found that 90% of Americans believed that companies that sponsored a volunteer initiative had a better working environment than others. Additionally, these company-led volunteer efforts boost employee morale and well-being while simultaneously strengthening camaraderie among colleagues.
It's pretty clear that giving back is both the right thing — and the smart thing — to do from a business perspective. And if you're looking for ideas, here are some ways that certain Utah businesses have helped others in need this year.
Saffron Valley
Lavanya Mahate, founder and owner of Saffron Valley, is a first-generation Indian American immigrant and the first female entrepreneur in her family. After a decade of successfully expanding her restaurant business, Mahate is giving back to the community by opening the RISE Culinary Institute.
"RISE Culinary Institute will allow free culinary training to refugees, which will be an amazing resource not only to the restaurant industry but also to the refugee community," Mahate told the Salt Lake Chamber. "We're teaching refugees skills in the culinary arts, and we're helping the restaurant industry across Utah, both of which are things I'm deeply passionate about."
You can find out more about the organization, apply for the program or donate to the cause at the RISE Culinary Institute website.
Rasa Legal
According to Clean Slate Utah, about 1 in 4 Utahns has a criminal record of some sort. Many of these are eligible for expungement, but the process can be costly and time-consuming. That's what motivated Noella Sudbury to found Rasa Legal, which helps people clear their records faster and for less than half the price of other lawyers.
"I started Rasa back in February 2022 to help individuals determine their eligibility for expungement and make it affordable for people who are often left behind," Sudbury told the Salt Lake Chamber. "What we're trying to do is serve a market of people who make too much to qualify for free legal aid but make too little to hire a traditional attorney."
Utahns with past records trust Rasa with their legal needs and have nothing but gratitude for the results. One reviewer wrote, "I have a not-so-pretty past. Rasa has made it a lot easier for me to finally hold my head up. … Not once did I feel any judgment, nothing but pure love! Thank you Rasa for being a part of helping me clean up my past!"
Nothing Bundt Cakes
Sometimes giving back to the community is a piece of cake — and Nothing Bundt Cake is a great example.
"Our business is a great avenue for doing good in the community," co-founder Fawn Berrett told the Salt Lake Chamber. "We actually donate cakes every single day. We just pick at least one place every day that we feel could use a pick-me-up and a sweet treat."
Fawn and her husband Brad personally choose causes to support through fundraisers and cake donations. That list includes Utah Hogle Zoo, Primary Children's Hospital and Hope Lodge, among many others.
The Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation
Mental health is a key concern for Utahns as the state's Department of Health and Human Services reports "consistently higher rates of self-reported lifetime depression than the U.S. rate."
To help address the growing need for mental health resources, the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation donated $3.5 million to the Huntsman Mental Health Foundation earlier this year. The donation will help fund the construction of the new Kem and Carolyn Gardner Mental Health Crisis Care Center.
Ivory Homes
This past June, Utah homebuilder, Ivory Homes, donated $75,000 to Southern Utah University to support women in business. The Ivory Women Student Success Initiative provides 10 scholarships to students to complete a Women Business Leadership Certificate.
"I am thrilled at the opportunity the Ivory Women Student Success Initiative will provide to our students," Mary Pearson, dean of the SUU Dixie L. Leavitt School of Business, said in a press release.
"This program will further their personal and professional development and allow student participants to see their leadership potential. Great thanks to Clark and Christine Ivory for their generous support of this initiative."
Interested students can apply for the scholarship on the SUU website.
Clyde Companies
Another pressing social issue in Utah — and the nation at large — is gender pay inequality. For example, women golfers are paid approximately one-fifth of what male golfers receive. Clyde Companies wants to bring awareness to this issue. They created the Clyde Challenge Pay Equity Match to increase the purse of the professional women's Copper Rock Championship by 50%. The goal is to raise $100,000 in donations for the competition which takes place in May 2024.
"Clyde Companies is committed to leading out and speaking up for gender pay parity," said President & CEO Jeremy Hafen. "We know female leadership makes a difference within our business and across our community. We are truly honored to partner with Copper Rock and the Epson Tour to support women athletes."
Other businesses willing to join in support of women's pay equity in golf can join the pay equity match. Find more information on the Clyde Companies website.
As you can see, Utah has no shortage of philanthropic businesses, and each one of these projects and initiatives has led to positive, lasting change in the community. Hopefully, these examples inspire you to make a difference in whatever way you can — whether you're a business leader or an individual who just wants to put more goodness out into the world.
