The holiday season is here! It’s a season for cheer, parties, and giving. During the holiday season, it’s fun to shop for gifts and celebrate with family but what about giving back to the community as a company?
As a business in your community, you have greater influence and the opportunity to make a bigger impact than just an individual. Use that leverage to impact your community in a way that will last beyond the holiday season with these corporate charity ideas.
Corporate Charity Ideas for a Season of Goodwill
Here are a few ways you and your team can spread a little joy in your community.
1. Volunteer
Have your employees volunteer to help out at a local soup kitchen, food bank, or homeless shelter. Sweeten the deal by offering them a paid day off to volunteer.
Food banks are busier this time of year than the rest of the year, in part because of the weather but also because humans tend to feel the need to gather during the holidays. The regular volunteers can get weary and stretched thin, this is a great time to help out.
2. Sponsor an Event
Sponsor an event for the community like a food drive, pictures with Santa, or even a parade are popular ideas that tend to be well received. The holidays, especially the Christmas season, are a time for families to celebrate and enjoy time together. Offer your community something they can do together while supporting local charities.
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3. Host a Toy Drive
Take part in a toy drive to make sure needy children have gifts this Christmas. Set out a bin for Toys for Tots or team up with your local child welfare organization to get the names, ages, and gift wish list of underprivileged kids in the area. It’s much easier to get into the spirit of giving when you know the stories of the people you are buying for. If you do an angel or gift tree in your office building, be sure to add details about each kid. Read each child’s story at your office Christmas party, get involved.
4. Donate Goods
Donate goods that are needed by the homeless population during the winter months. Get your employees by asking them to do a fashion show with the donated clothes. Offer prize for best dressed, most unique outfit, and warmest ensemble.
5. Host a Gift Exchange
Provide company-wide gift exchanges where people can buy gifts for each other and then donate them back to charity after they’re opened.
RELATED: Get Festive! Corporate Holiday Party Ideas Your Team Will Love
6. Bonuses for a Good Cause
Give a companywide employee bonus but bump it up by 25% for everyone and encourage them to take the additional funds and donate to a family in need.
There are countless opportunities out there for companies big and small so take some time this holiday season to engage with your community! The advantages of giving back far outweigh the cost. When your staff gets involved together, it strengthens them as a team giving them mutual purpose and making memories together. The stronger your team, the stronger your business so this truly is a win-win for everyone!
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