EVERYONE CAN GET INVOLVED IN GIVING BACK.

• Author: Yergensen, Drew

Mahatma Gandhi once said, "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." This philosophy runs deep at KeyBank, where we find our truest selves in the service of our local communities.

In fact, KeyBank was recently recognized by Points of Light as one of America's 50 most community-minded companies--for the ninth consecutive time. The Civic 50 provides a national standard for corporate citizenship and showcases how companies can use their time, skills, and resources to drive social impact in their communities and company.

While this kind of recognition is nice, our reasons for committing ourselves to our local communities have nothing to do with the accolades or attention we get for it. We give generously of our time, talents and money because successful partnerships between businesses and nonprofits are the key to building successful communities. We give back because it's the right thing to do, and to be honest, we do it because it feels amazing to do even a small part to contribute to the greater good.

But giving back doesn't always look like big companies writing out big checks. It takes all of us--large companies, small businesses, individuals and selfless nonprofit organizations--to help our most underserved and vulnerable populations overcome the challenges that have been set before them and to build thriving, engaged communities where we all want to live, play and work.

Small businesses, mid-sized businesses, and even families and individuals have an important role to play in community giving. Determining the best way to make the biggest impact can seem daunting--but it doesn't have to be.

Narrow Your Focus

Deciding where, when and how to give is the first step toward meaningful giving. It's important to determine a giving strategy, and ideally one with your employees' interests in mind. Uncovering what is meaningful to them, whether through casual conversations or more formal surveying, is an effective way to engage them in the process and start to prioritize.

The KeyBank Foundation has identified three "pillars" of giving...