Great workplaces don’t just focus on profits, they also focus on purpose. When organizations give back to their communities, employees feel more connected, more motivated, and more proud of where they work.
In fact, the Great Place To Work® Trust Index™ survey, the foundation for the Best Workplaces™ and Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® lists, asks employees to rate whether they “feel good about the ways we contribute to the community.” The results consistently show that companies that invest in giving back also build positive workplace cultures.
Community engagement, end-of-year volunteering, and giving campaigns offer companies a powerful way to unite teams, reinforce values, and make a lasting difference in both workplace culture and local communities.
Businesses that make social responsibility part of their DNA enjoy:
- Higher levels of employee engagement
- Deeper customer trust and brand loyalty
- Greater overall impact on the world around them
From paid volunteer days to donation matching programs, many of the Best Workplaces empower employees to make a difference beyond the office. They also offer paid time off for volunteering and match employee charitable donations.
Both during the holiday season and throughout the year, businesses have an opportunity to boost employee morale and enhance their impact and brand reputation through creative and intentional acts of generosity.
How Corporate Strengthens Your Company and Culture
Giving initiatives help companies establish a reputation rooted in purpose-driven values and create a culture of belonging. For employees, participating in volunteer projects and corporate giving campaigns elevates work satisfaction, fosters stronger relationships, and gives them a sense of pride in being part of an organization that genuinely cares.
When companies actively support charitable causes, employees feel more engaged, team bonds deepen, and turnover declines, all while helping communities that need extra support during the holiday season.
- Companies that publicly support social good report higher brand loyalty and employee retention.
- Volunteer days, matching gift programs, and collaborative service projects reward employees with meaningful experiences, strengthen connections, and help attract new talent to purpose-first organizations.
- These efforts amplify the business’s community visibility, build trust, and make a direct, tangible difference for local nonprofits and the communities they serve.
10 Meaningful Ways Companies Can Give Back
1. Get creative with how you give
Giving back doesn’t have to be limited to writing checks. The most impactful organizations think beyond traditional donations and use their unique strengths to serve their communities in meaningful ways.
Consider how your business can make a difference through your people, products, or expertise. Here are a few creative ways to give back:
- Share your skills. Encourage employees to offer professional expertise, from accounting and design to mentoring and coaching, to nonprofits that need it most.
- Open your doors. Offer your workspace, meeting rooms, or facilities for community groups, local events, or educational workshops.
- Donate products or services. Provide complimentary or discounted access to your core offerings, such as software, professional services, or essential goods, to those in need.
- Repurpose surplus resources. Redirect unused equipment, furniture, supplies, or inventory to schools, shelters, or community centers rather than letting them go to waste.
- Host community drives. Collect food, clothing, books, or school supplies in partnership with local charities and make it fun with friendly team competitions.
- Offer pro bono projects. Dedicate a set number of employee hours each quarter to projects that help nonprofits achieve their missions.
- Empower employee-led giving. Create small grant programs that allow teams to nominate and fund causes they’re passionate about.
- Partner locally. Build long-term relationships with nearby organizations to co-host events, sustainability projects, or education initiatives.
2. Make it easy for employees to volunteer their time
When employees have the time and support to give back, their connections to the company and to each other grow stronger. Create opportunities that make volunteering accessible, flexible, and meaningful. Here are a few impactful ways to do it:
- Offer paid volunteer time. Give employees a set number of hours or days each year to volunteer with causes they care about, individually or as a team.
- Organize team service days. Plan company-wide volunteering events, such as packing meals, cleaning parks, mentoring students, or supporting local shelters, to foster camaraderie while making a positive impact.
- Support skill-based or long-term volunteering. Encourage employees to utilize their professional expertise for the greater good, or even create fellowship programs that allow them to dedicate extended time to working with nonprofit partners or community initiatives.
Empowering people to give their time transforms goodwill into a culture and helps employees realize that their impact extends far beyond the workplace.
3. Expand your definition of matching gifts
Matching employee donations is a powerful way to support community causes, but it doesn’t have to stop there. Think beyond the traditional dollar-for-dollar match and explore ways to recognize and amplify other forms of giving.
- Match volunteer hours. Offer a set donation amount to the organizations where employees volunteer, turning their time into a tangible impact.
- Recognize leadership roles. Provide additional contributions for employees who serve on nonprofit boards, mentor youth, or take on other community leadership roles.
- Celebrate participation. Create internal challenges or milestones that unlock company contributions to shared causes when collective volunteer hours or community projects are met.
Expanding what “matching” means helps every employee feel they can make a difference, regardless of financial ability.
4. Invite your customers to join the cause
Your community impact grows when you invite your customers to be part of it. Encouraging customer participation raises awareness for important causes and strengthens trust and loyalty.
- Offer donation options. Allow customers to round up purchases, contribute reward points, or add small donations at checkout to support selected nonprofits.
- Host cause-driven campaigns. Connect product launches or services to charitable giving, pledging a portion of proceeds to a community initiative.
- Create shared moments of impact. Organize events, drives, or digital campaigns where employees and customers can contribute together toward a common goal.
When customers see your organization taking real action for good, they become partners in your purpose, helping your mission reach even further.
5. Grow future talent through mentorship
Partnering with local schools, colleges, or community organizations is a meaningful way to share your company’s knowledge and support others’ growth. Mentorship and internship programs develop valuable skills in participants and instill a sense of pride and purpose in employees as they mentor the next generation.
- Create mentorship programs. Connect employees with students, entrepreneurs, or job seekers for one-on-one coaching in business, technology, or leadership.
- Offer internships or job-shadowing. Give young people or career changers firsthand experience in your industry and insight into potential career paths.
- Host learning events. Organize workshops or training sessions to help community members develop practical skills, such as digital literacy, financial management, or resume-building.
When companies share their expertise, they create ripple effects that strengthen both individuals and the community.
6. Use your voice to champion equity
Today’s employees and customers expect organizations to have a voice and use it responsibly. Speaking out against injustice and taking meaningful action shows that your company stands for more than profit; it stands for people.
- Take a public stand. Acknowledge social issues that matter to your employees and communities, and express support through statements, events, or partnerships.
- Empower employee resource groups. Encourage and fund groups that help raise awareness, provide education, and mobilize around issues of equality and inclusion.
- Promote learning and allyship. Offer workshops, listening sessions, or resource guides that help employees understand and act on social justice issues.
Businesses that act with courage and authenticity earn lasting trust and inspire others to create change.
7. Make sustainability a shared mission
Being an environmentally conscious company benefits not only the planet but also its employees and stakeholders. It strengthens employee pride, fosters collaboration, and attracts people who want to work for a purpose-driven organization.
- Incorporate sustainability into existing programs. Combine wellness, volunteering, or fundraising events with eco-friendly goals such as planting trees, cleaning up public spaces, or reducing waste.
- Repurpose materials for good. Find creative ways to reuse or recycle company resources by turning surplus items into valuable products for community organizations.
- Encourage everyday green habits. Start internal challenges for energy conservation, zero waste, or commuting alternatives, and celebrate team progress toward shared goals.
8. Celebrate those who lead through service
Recognizing employees who go above and beyond in serving others reinforces the spirit of compassion and leadership within your organization. A service award program celebrates those who exemplify generosity, empathy, and commitment to the community.
- Honor outstanding contributions. Highlight employees or teams who make a significant difference through volunteering, mentoring, or advocacy. Making
- Reward impact with purpose. Make employees feel valued by offering financial gifts, donations to the employee’s chosen nonprofit, or other meaningful incentives tied to community causes.
- Celebrate publicly. Share their stories in company meetings, newsletters, or social media to inspire others to take action.
By shining a spotlight on service, companies show that giving back is deeply valued and celebrated.
9. Support local businesses and nonprofits
Strengthen your community by investing in those who keep it thriving.
- Source goods and services from local vendors.
- Sponsor neighborhood events.
- Partner with small nonprofits that align with your company’s values.
Encouraging employees to shop local or volunteer with nearby organizations builds meaningful relationships and drives positive economic impact close to home.
10. Recognize global causes with local action
Even global challenges can be addressed at the local level. Organize campaigns around international observances such as World Environment Day or International Volunteer Day, and encourage employees to participate in related initiatives in their own communities. Whether it’s collecting supplies for disaster relief or supporting global education efforts, connecting local action to worldwide causes amplifies your company’s impact.
Conclusion
Making generosity a consistent part of company culture strengthens teams, reinforces shared values, and builds lasting connections throughout the year. Both over the holidays and throughout the year, encourage leaders to foster an ongoing commitment to community impact.
Create momentum through quarterly volunteer events, recurring donation drives, and long-term community partnerships that keep the spirit of giving alive every day. When generosity becomes part of your culture, both your organization and the people you serve benefit in ways that last long after any single moment of giving.
Ensure your leaders are custodians of your giving culture by offering INTOO leadership training. With training programs, coaching, and workshops that foster inspirational and influential leadership, your workforce and community will reap the rewards. Contact us today to learn more.
INTOO staff writers come from diverse backgrounds and have extensive experience writing about topics that matter to the HR and business communities, including outplacement, layoffs, career development, internal mobility, candidate experience, succession planning, talent acquisition, and more.
