Today is #GivingTuesday, a day that originated as a response to the personal spending that occurs on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The idea of the day is to give money, time, or goods to organizations in need after you finish your holiday shopping frenzy. #GivingTuesday has grown in the era of social media and is often stylized with the hashtag because people share their activities across different platforms. Whether today or anytime throughout this season, take time as a workspace to give back to the community! We have five easy ways you and your coworkers can participate in #GivingTuesday.
1. Holiday Shop For Others
Who doesn’t have shopping on their mind this time of year! We all are thinking about filling up our virtual carts, so why do the same for others? Your team can sponsor children or a family in need this year. Many organizations will match you up with people’s wishlists. Purchasing holiday gifts is a way to give back that is meaningful, personalized, and does not have to take up a lot of time (hello, Amazon)! Plus, you can gather your team for some bonding time to make cards for the recipients.
2. Match Donations
Lots of large companies offer to match donations from employees, but this is also an option for small businesses! Put a cap on the matches based on what is feasible and have people submit receipts of their donations as proof. Offering to match encourages employees to think about giving back and shows the values of your business.
3. Host a Giving Circle
A giving circle is not your average fundraiser. It is a form of participatory philanthropy, where people pool their money together, learn about different causes, and decide as a group where to donate. The goal of a giving circle is to create greater engagement between the donor and a cause. In the workplace, this can be an effective way to engage your team in philanthropy and help everyone feel involved and included in decision making. Agree on an amount that each individual will donate, set up a time where people will present different causes, and then decide where to distribute those funds over a series of votes.
4. Support Your Field
You can give back to people from disadvantaged backgrounds who are looking to get into your field of work. Provide free tutoring for standardized tests one hour a week, start a mentorship program, cover application fees, or offer other services that help those who are just beginning their career journeys.
5. Collect Supplies
Do you collect hotel toiletries? Did you stock up on too much pasta at the beginning of the quarantine? Declutter your home and help others through a supplies drive. Basic household and bath items, food, and clothing are all good choices for workspace collections. You can donate the items to shelters, food banks, or other local organizations in need.
No matter how you choose to participate in #GivingTuesday, you and your team will be making an impact on your community. At AdvantEdge Workspaces, we seek to provide our clients with meaningful ways to give back at work, such as our yearly drive for Toys for Tots. This year, we hope everyone will take the time to give back, both in their workspace and at home!
