Nonprofit organizations in Newton and Needham depend on local businesses for support. 

And this holiday season, many of those same nonprofits are looking to return the favor.

The organizations will be running promotional ads in their email newsletters and on social media channels, urging their followers to “support the local business that support us.”

The special shop local ad campaign was created by the chamber following a brain-storming session with some nonprofits and small business owners in Needham, Chamber President Greg Reibman said.

“Local businesses are the engine that keep our nonprofits healthy,” Reibman said. “But we all know that it’s been a struggle in the past few years for many of our small, independent merchants. So our nonprofits are taking action this holiday season by reminding their followers that it’s important to support the businesses that support them.”

Large brands give big dollars, but that’s often a much smaller percentage of their revenue. A 2015 survey by small business company Alignable found that small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) give close to home with 90 percent of their giving going to local organizations. The same survey found that SMBs also give a higher portion of their revenue, with 25 percent saying that they give 10 percent of their revenue. That information is backed up by the Seattle Good Business Network, which found that small businesses donate 250 percent more than larger businesses to nonprofits and community causes.

“The Impact Local movement is alive and well in Newton and Needham. Our West Newton businesses are our go-to people who support our events, our fundraising efforts, our volunteer needs and our marketing,” said Jon R. Firger, executive director of West Newton-based Family ACCESS for Newton and chair of chamber’s nonprofit committee.

“We support them by purchasing our food, our supplies and our gifts locally. We thrive together.”

Nonprofits that have already signed onto the program include Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Needham, Centre Street Food Pantry, Charles River Center, Charles River YMCA - Needham, Family Access of Newton, Green Newton, Jewish Community Center, John M. Barry Boys and Girls Club, LimmudBoston, New Philharmonia Orchestra, Newton Cultural Alliance, Newton Schools Foundation, NewTV, One Can Hope, Rotary Club of Newton, Suzuki School of Newton, Temple Beth Shalom, The Carroll Center for the Blind, The Price Center, Walker, and the West Suburban YMCA.

The program will run through the holiday shopping season.