What if our gifts lasted all year long?

This is the time of year when we think more about our friends and families. Share gifts and meals. Consider others in our community that might need some extra help. Businesses and individuals alike often choose to provide time, money and resources to their community. One of my clients chooses to “adopt” a family every year for the holidays through a non-profit providing child and family services. We learned the names of the parents and kids, whether the kids were boys or girls and how old they were. It was always good when we had families with older kids, the ones that often get forgotten when they are beyond the toy stage. We got wish lists from everyone in the family. With these lists in hand, all of us in the company donated an item (or two or three). The company added gifts and some cash or gift cards (something parents can always use). We spent a day rotating through the wrapping department in the conference room until it was chock full of presents. It was great fun working together on behalf of our “family.” The gifts were delivered to the non-profit to give directly to the family. And our special gift? The heartfelt ‘Thank You’ notes sent back after the holidays.

There are so many ways to give during the holidays. Serving meals at a shelter, donating food, clothing, and toys, supporting special events and activities by non-profits and churches in the community… the list is endless. The needs are great and this special kind of holiday giving means so much.

To get you started, here are some ideas about orchestrating some holiday giving in your company

• Get people together to talk about where they think the company can help. As an added bonus, you’ll be able to learn more about each other as you find out what issues are important to them.
• Consider supporting charities or causes that are important to your clients.
• Establish a team to research the details of some options and present them to senior management. Good leadership and team building can happen here.
• Once a decision has been made, the team can follow up on the details and include others to help launch the activity. Project development, management skills, and interdependent teams can grow on this project.
• Go forth and have fun! Learn new things! Make new friends and share the holiday spirit!

These kinds of activities, the act of giving to others, can create strong, meaningful bonds between people at work. For the Millennial generation, and Gen Z coming up, these are the connections and relationships that encourage them to stay. Even the Grinchiest Grinches will find their hearts growing “three sizes.”

And of course, before we know it, the new year will have started and we’re back to business as usual. But does it really have to be that way? What if we found a way to keep this feeling and connection going all year?

Want some inspiration?

Toms Shoes – Donates one pair of shoes for every pair sold. Read their impact statement on their website.
Bomba’s Socks – Donates one pair of socks to homeless shelters for every pair sold.
SalesForce – Offers time off for volunteering and offers matching funds.
Bank of America – Each Employee is given 2 hours per week to volunteer. Some issues include economic mobility, race relations, hunger, and literacy or other issues important to employees. One group collected and donated 450 books to a community outreach center.
Nvidia – Used holiday party money and employee volunteers to refresh schools with equipment, sod, murals, and new paint through Project Inspire.
Intuit – Gives 32 hours a year for volunteer activities. One employee learned that a food pantry helping homeless teens had been robbed. The employee started a food drive to refill it.
VMware – With a focus on society and the Earth, they’ve done Habitat for Humanity during work hours and a charity event to assist the homeless.
Patagonia – Supports eco-friendly processes and materials through its processes and takes an active role in protecting the environment in everything they do.
Cornerstone -Their SPARK program pairs employees with students in under-served communities to help them stay in school.

You can read more about what companies are doing at Forbes: The 50 Best Workplaces for Giving Back in 2018. There is so much more! You can be creative in how and where you reach out to your community. Simple things like a food drive or big things like a golf tournament fundraiser. Anything is possible. Are you inspired yet? It’s time to get started.

Here are some tips about establishing your own year-round community outreach program

• Consider what internal resources there might be besides money such as products, services, or volunteer time. Giving and encouraging volunteer time by employees throughout the year is part of the programs implemented by the examples above. And you might want to think about how your resources will be used.
• There are so many options, such as grants for construction, matching gifts, in-kind product donations, ongoing employee participation, gifts of money that can be used in any way the non-profits choose.
• Assign someone or a team to handle charitable activities. You may find that the community will reach out to you once they see that you are committed to helping others. It could be as simple as supporting local kids’ baseball, soccer or basketball teams or something so large that you will need to create a foundation.
• Instead of random giving, consider creating a mission statement that outlines the values behind your giving. A professional service organization might sponsor tutoring in support of education that is essential to their business or like Patagonia tying everything to protecting the environment.
• Along with values, setting guidelines will help you sort any requests you get from outside the organization. This will help your activities have a greater impact because they are more focused.
• Determine your budget for giving, including products, money or employee time.
• Talk with your accountant to determine the best structure for your giving and how you can ensure it has the best and most powerful impact.
• Value-based giving has the biggest effect both internally and externally. By thinking through some of these nuts and bolts of your giving program, you will make the most of whatever you decide to give and build a platform for future sustainability.

And while you are making a difference in the community, you’ll also find significant benefits for your company. The Forbes 6/8/17 article, “How Community Involvement Programs Can Grow Your Business” lists some concrete benefits:

• 82% of U.S. customers consider corporate responsibility when deciding to buy
• 86% of millennials value and stay based on corporate responsibility
• Creates a happier workplace
• Establishes a more loyal customer base

Here is what leaders in organizations that have robust community service activities have to say:

 “Community events bring employees together in a different light, where they get to know one another better. As a result, employees create stronger bonds and collaborate effortlessly in the work environment.” ~ Tiffany Servtius, Scott’s Marketplace

“In addition to great team-building, employers gain visibility by attracting new talent who want to volunteer at their companies.” ~ John Feldmann, Insperity

 “The benefits? PR, community relationship building and demonstrating your values to the organization. Plus, it’s just the right thing to do!” ~ Michele Gonzalez-Pitek, The Unity Council

What are you waiting for? The Holiday Season is upon us and the needs in all our communities are great. Do something now. Share what you can with people around you. Make a commitment for 2020 to be a good corporate citizen in the years to come. The more you give, the more you will receive.

P.S. — If after reading this article you have some great ideas or suggestions we would love to hear them! Just leave a comment on the blog. Thank you!