Corporate giving is a growing and worthy trend in workplaces. Companies see the need to give back and employees feel good about working for an organization that cares about people, their community and the planet. Corporate giving programs will look different for each company, but here are 20 tips to help you get started.
When, Where and How to Start
- Start at the Beginning - Establish a corporate giving program at the founding of your organization, even if it's small. This enshrines giving as a core value for the company, and you can always grow the program as the business grows.
- Go Local - If you need a good launching pad for basic community engagement, start with your local United Way. They fight for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community. Then once you become more engaged with the needs of your community, you can branch out into other areas of giving that align with your company's mission.
- Try Well-known Groups -Some more specific community options include your local symphony, ballet, arts school, Boys and Girls Club, Salvation Army or food bank. Operation Christmas Child and Angel Tree efforts are usually seasonal but very worthy of consideration. Genius Tip: Get ideas for organizing a holiday Angel Tree.
- Think Global - Consider supporting water filters, mosquito nets or a well through a child development organization such as Compassion International or World Vision. Some nonprofits even offer trips where employees can go visit the work in which they invested.
