Foundational Belief in the Communities We Serve

When I joined Lifekind Health, I knew two things right away. This business was poised for tremendous growth with the right focus, and that we would immediately begin making donations in the community we serve through our foundation.

Good business requires investment. For this business, we are operating in communities that are often small and rural, and we are serving people suffering from chronic pain. It feels good to help people eliminate pain from their everyday lives, but when they walk out of their clinic, I want the community to benefit. 

This year, Lifekind will invest more than $650,000 in the communities we serve, and I believe that I cannot ask my investors to invest unless I personally invest more. I do not view that investment as separate from the health of the business. The communities where we operate are also home to our patients, employees, and future workforce. Their long-term strength directly affects our ability to serve people and grow responsibly. 

As a healthcare provider, our patients give us firsthand knowledge of the needs of that specific community. In 2017, Quicken Loans made a $400,000 investment in downtown Detroit’s public infrastructure. The improved medians and parks were a signal to the community and other businesses of their commitment to downtown.

The larger lesson is the needs surrounding a business are not merely external issues. Food, housing, infrastructure, and access can all impact the communities a company depends upon. Ignoring those conditions may reduce a line item in the short term, but it can become a long-term business constraint. 

Whether we’re operating in Victorville or San Jacinto, I believe the responsible thing to do is to invest back in the community.

I know that I’m not alone in this belief. What are the investments your company is making in the communities that you serve?

I’d love to hear about them to inspire others. Please share using the #responsiblecapitalism hashtag or tag or page in your post.