Ah, the holidays. A time for receiving. But more importantly, a time for giving. It’s not only the opportune moment to show how important your family and friends are to your life, but it’s also a great time for your company to thank the local community.

However, the holidays shouldn’t be the only time to thank those around you and help make the world a better place. You can continue to keep the holiday tradition up throughout the year! And while it’s great to make a difference on an individual level, we here at AcceleratingCFO think your company should make an impact, too. That’s right, we’re talking about corporate social responsibility.

First off, corporate social responsibility is no longer a catch phrase you can include on your website and get away with a free pass. It may come as a surprise, but today consumers are actually concerned with how your company is changing the world — be it through environmental engagement or spooning out soup for the local soup kitchen — corporate social responsibility is one of the markers of a forward-thinking company. It’s also becoming a way for businesses to differentiate themselves from the corporate drones of yester years. And millennials are paying attention.

Plus, the great thing about having a business that gives back to the community is that the company is built upon more than making money. And while making money is important, it is no longer the end all be all that motivates your staff. And that’s a game changer. Why? Because it transforms the way your employees think about their jobs. Plus, it also shifts the way your clients, investors, and potential employees look at your company. And trust us, that’s a good thing.

And finally, actively working with a charity or organization will also improve your company culture and team camaraderie. Especially at a small company, building relationships in-house is important to fostering strong team dynamics. And by inviting employees to join in activities outside of the office, you are further encouraging them to bond with their teams on a professional and personal level.

So do yourself (and the world) a favor and have your company contribute to making the places we live better. For all of us. As an entrepreneur you know that the biggest changes start with the smallest steps. So take some time to think about incorporating some social good into your business. Remember, you don’t have to tackle world hunger, but a little goes a long way.