Giving Tuesday, the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, is a global movement dedicated to charitable giving, and is a fantastic opportunity for organizations to support both community impact and employee engagement. For HR leaders, it’s a prime time to inspire generosity and cultivate a culture that values social responsibility. Here’s how HR departments and leaders can take an active role in making Giving Tuesday meaningful for employees and the communities they serve.
Promote Giving as Part of Your Company Culture
Tie Giving to Core Values: Make charitable giving a visible extension of your company’s values. Highlight stories of employees making a difference, share the impact of your company’s philanthropy, and showcase how giving aligns with your organization’s mission.
Encourage Storytelling: Set up an internal platform or team meeting segment where employees can share stories about causes they support. Hearing from colleagues can inspire others to get involved.
Offer Matching Donations to Maximize Impact
Match Employee Contributions: Show your support by matching employee donations to non-profits they care about. Even a small match can amplify impact and demonstrate a commitment to supporting employees’ passions.
Create a Giving Fund: HR can work with leadership to establish a company-wide giving fund dedicated to supporting employee-chosen charities.
Organize Volunteer Opportunities or a Day of Service
Arrange Team Volunteering: Set up a few local volunteer opportunities where employees can join together in person or virtually. This promotes teamwork, lets employees support causes they care about, and creates a sense of unity in giving.
Paid Volunteer Time Off: Offer employees paid time off to volunteer, either individually or as part of a team initiative. Employees can give back without worrying about taking personal time.
Host a Charity Fair or Virtual Fundraiser
Invite Local Charities: Bring in representatives from various charities to give employees direct access to organizations they might want to support. This can be held in person or virtually for remote teams.
Plan a Fundraiser: Simple, fun fundraisers like a raffle, silent auction, or “Donate to Dress Down” day are easy ways to raise money. Employees might enjoy a bake sale or a small auction where they can bid on donated items or services.
Recognize and Reward Employee Philanthropy
Publicly Celebrate Contributions: Whether through newsletters, meetings, or an internal platform, give a shout-out to employees who participate in Giving Tuesday activities. Recognizing their contributions reinforces your support and encourages others.
Reward Generosity: Offer small incentives for employees who participate, such as gift cards, extra paid time off, or a feature on the company’s social media. These gestures make employees feel appreciated for their generosity.
Encourage Skill-Based Volunteering
Leverage Employee Expertise: Offer employees the opportunity to volunteer their professional skills with charities, providing support in areas like accounting, marketing, or IT. This lets employees make a tangible impact while enhancing their professional experience.
For leaders, Giving Tuesday offers a unique chance to foster a culture of philanthropy and build a more engaged and empathetic workforce. By providing ways to support employee giving, HR and leaders within your organization can strengthen workplace morale, drive greater community impact, and reinforce values that employees are proud to represent. Let this Giving Tuesday be a catalyst for good that extends well beyond one day!
