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No one disputes the importance of employee benefits. Employee benefits matter because they demonstrate how much the company cares about and appreciates its employees. Benefits support an employee’s health and well-being, their loved ones and even their financial literacy. Although health care benefits top the list of the most desired, there are other perks that companies can offer that employees really want. Why are employee benefits important? They increasingly reflect changing employee priorities and the things that are most important in their lives. According to Deloitte, salary is less important to Gen Z than to other generations. However, researchers found that just 20% of Gen Z would work for a company that did not share their values. That may be a tall order for many companies. But it doesn’t have to be so complicated.
Benefits That Actually Matter
Gen Z and millennials are looking for companies that go beyond the absolute minimum. That doesn’t mean beer-and-pizza Fridays, however. So what does it mean? For companies that want to attract the best and brightest, it means you may need to look at benefits through an entirely different lens.Companies aren’t limited to a small selection of benefits. In addition to the ubiquitous health insurance, there are several categories of perks that will enhance your benefits package. Most of all, it’s about making responsible choices that keep in mind the communities you serve.
5 Advantages of a Great Employee Benefits Package
But first, what are the advantages of a great employee benefits package? We know that benefits matter to employees. Benefits flow to the company as well. For example, you will be better positioned to:1. Attract and Retain Top TalentWhen you value your employees, it shows in how you treat them. It’s not simply about the number of benefits, but the values that these benefits reflect. 2. Support Holistic WellnessEmployees that are mentally, physically and financially sound are better able to perform at top levels. They bring their whole selves to work each day.3. Increase ProductivityWhen employees are treated well, they want to be more productive in their roles. They find ways to do more with less and they put in more time during the day.4. Boost Engagement and MoraleOf course, employees want to be paid a fair wage. But they also want recognition and appreciation. A good benefits package signals that they are respected and that what matters to them matters to the company.5. Improve Your ImageGood corporate citizenry along with happy employees is a combination that is unbeatable when it comes to building brand equity. Further, research says that when you treat people well, it’s reflected in how they treat customers.
Different Types of Employee Benefits
When you want to enhance your benefits package, there are many options. The benefits described below are not mandatory. Some, however, are considered standard and without them it would be difficult to attract the best employees. Here are some of the most popular categories of benefits:
Health Care
In addition to routine medical care, health care benefits may also include dental, vision, and hospitalization. Many companies offer accounts that allow employees to put aside money for healthcare expenses that are not covered elsewhere. These include flexible spending accounts (FSA), health savings accounts (HSA), and health reimbursement accounts (HSA). The main differences between them are who contributes — employees, employers, or both — and whether or not the funds roll over from year to year.
Wellness
A subset of health care, wellness benefits include everything from on-site workout facilities and yoga classes to gym memberships and smoking cessation clinics. In addition, there are paid fitness apps and other wellness tools available online.
Work-Life
Work-life is a broad category that may overlap with some of the other groupings listed here. This benefit includes the types of perks that make it easier for working people to take paid time off to enjoy sufficient rest or tend to personal responsibilities. They include such things as vacation days, maternity and paternity leave, time off for caregiver responsibilities, and, in more recent years, flexible scheduling and work-from-home opportunities.
Paid Sick Leave
While there isn’t a sick leave policy for short-term illnesses on a federal level, some states — California and New York are two — mandate paid leave for employees. Employees who lack sick leave are more likely to go to work, a major factor in the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19, according to public health officials. Another benefit that has become increasingly popular are “mental health days.” This may be included as part of sick days or may be separate.
Financial Wellness
According to a recent study, employees spend 25% of their workweek dealing with financial issues. These types of benefits have also experienced a surge in popularity. Bank of America reported that in 2021, 46% of employers included some form of financial wellness benefit in their employee offerings. The types of programs are wide and varied and may include retirement planning, insurance, investing, financial literacy, budgeting, and tax planning.
Retirement Plans
For most Gen Zers and millennials, the defined benefit retirement plan does not exist. Of course, employers don’t have to be involved. But when employees don’t plan properly it contributes significantly to stress levels. Employers can help with 401K plans even if they don’t offer matching contributions. In addition to the aforementioned, there are planning tools, workshops, and education. They can also support retirement transitions, for example, with flexible scheduling or reduced hours.
Professional Development
Well-trained employees are able to contribute to the company in significant ways. In addition to learning new skills, they are versed in recent trends and emerging opportunities in the industry. Training is easier than ever before with the latest publications and options for online learning and podcasts right at your fingertips. Employers can offer tuition reimbursement, company-sponsored workshops and classes, and time off to pursue continuing education classes at a university or trade school.
Commuter Stipends
Companies who care about the environment may offer an incentive to employees to take public transportation, carpool, ride bikes or walk to work. This incentive can reduce the cost of a bus ticket or provide a little extra padding in the budget each month.
Charitable Giving and Volunteerism
This is a benefit that appeals directly to employees who are looking for companies that are good corporate citizens. The benefits include, for example, matching all or a portion of charitable donations and providing time off for volunteering. Some companies sponsor a school, a local nonprofit or other charitable organization and may offer employees the opportunity to volunteer — or even manage a project — with pay.Offering Charitable Giving and Volunteerism programs are excellent methods of getting employees involved in philanthropy and shifting workplace cultures toward generosity.Learn how to maximize employee impact.
Offer Benefits That Engage and Retain
Companies are becoming increasingly creative in the benefits they offer. The above list is not all-inclusive. However, these benefits are among the top contenders when it comes to engaging and retaining your workforce. Why consider a charitable giving program? It allows you to be a good corporate citizen while at the same time giving employees something that’s important to them. Not everyone is interested in yoga classes or budgeting apps. But most employees have a favorite charity and the desire to do their part. If you’re interested in a charitable giving program as part of your benefits package, contact Groundswell today. Benefits don’t have to be complicated or expensive. Employees appreciate companies that value the things that are most important to them.
The best companies have one thing in common: good leadership. Leadership can make or break a company. All leaders aren’t managers. There are, for example, informal leaders who may have no official title or claim to direct others. So while all leaders aren’t managers, in the most exceptional companies, all managers are leaders.The traditional view of management is confined to the basic functions of planning, organizing, directing, staffing, and controlling. That may fit neatly into the comfort zone for some people, but it doesn’t fit the way businesses operate today. As the competitive environment changes and the old work rules are discarded, the role of manager is becoming a lot more flexible.When you’re managing people in a rapidly changing and fluid world, you need more skills than ever. It’s no longer sufficient, if it ever was, to simply be the smartest person in the room. As mentioned, the best managers are great leaders. This means they have both the hard and the soft skills to get the best from their people. Much has been written about leadership styles. But perhaps more important than any particular style are the things that great managers do every day.
What Does Good Management Look Like in Practice?
If you want to know how to be a good manager, follow these seven essential tips every day:
Manage Up
New paradigms for leadership largely turn the top-down model on its head. Good managers aren’t simply following instructions received from on high. When you cultivate good relationships with your own managers, you’ll better understand the pressures and motivations behind their decisions. When the relationship is good, managers can even offer respectful feedback. In turn, your managers can learn how to best advocate for your success.
Invest in the Next-Generation Leaders
As a manager in the current environment, you don’t have time to micromanage. You must manage to meet goals and objectives. This allows others to learn valuable skills and flex their problem-solving and leadership muscle. More importantly, you have the responsibility of creating new leaders. As a strong manager, you can rely on the people around you because you have taught them well and delegated tasks to them.
Favor Innovation Over Rinse-and-Repeat
A few decades ago, managers were focused on efficiency and productivity. This meant processes that were reliable and repeatable. Make no mistake, businesses still need a high level of efficiency. However, the companies with the most sustainable business models for the future are those that take risks. They aren’t afraid to try something new. It’s not strictly about technology. Rather, it’s about empowering people to discover the possibilities. If you aren’t innovating, you can be assured that some scrappy new startup is finding a way to do what you do, only better.
Manage From the Inside Out
You can’t manage from outside the team. The best managers aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty. This isn’t simply an improved version of managing by walking around. It’s managing by getting involved. Managers who master this skill have the opportunity to identify strengths and weaknesses in their team and to better understand their pain points. In order to do it most effectively, however, you must walk a fine line between being a team player and taking over. As a manager, it’s your job to provide the “what,” for example, the deliverables. To the extent possible, avoid telling people “how” to do their jobs.
Share Knowledge
The rapidly changing business environment means that yesterday’s education and skills quickly become obsolete. You don’t have to be an expert in every new technology or management philosophy that crops up. But you do need to understand the extent of change. When you are busy with job responsibilities and home life, it can seem impossible. Fortunately, you never need to step into a bookstore, library or classroom to learn something new. Take time out of your busy schedule to read, take an online course, follow a blog, or have lunch with a colleague in your industry or another. Then share the information you collect and teach others what you know.
Encourage Team Problem-Solving
Encourage problem-solving among your employees. It removes the pressure from you to always be the fixer. Further, it builds a critical skill that will make your company more profitable in the long run. Solicit ideas, ask for input and encourage team members to share. This has the additional benefit of helping employees think more holistically about where the business is headed and what the future challenges might be. Remember that if your team isn’t making any mistakes, they may be playing it too safe.
Pursue the Greater Good
Good managers are selfless. Certainly, they want what is best for their employees, customers, partners, and the company. But the concept of the greater good extends even further. Good managers understand that their actions have consequences for the community and the world. They work to ensure that they do no harm.
What Are the Benefits of Strong Management?
When a company has strong managers, it benefits in many ways.
Attracts and Retains Better Talent
Word gets around when a company is well-managed. Managers that invest in their professional growth mentor others around them and have no trouble attracting good employee candidates, while also being able to retain current employees.
Sustains Growth Into the Future
Employees are more engaged with good management. They’re better able to ensure that the company is positioned for long-term growth and able to outperform the competition.
Builds Credibility for the Brand
A strong managerial base provides stability for the company. It fortifies the values and builds products and services that promote the brand and enhance the company’s reputation.
Becomes a Better Corporate Citizen
Managers create an environment where all employees think beyond the walls of the company toward the partnerships they have created, the customers they serve and the broader business community. Corporate giving programs, for example, are one of the ways to practice good corporate citizenship.One way to include charitable giving as a corporate value is with a charitable giving program. You can match employee contributions or support employee volunteer efforts. Groundswell automates charitable giving and makes it an easily administered part of your employee benefits package.
Good Management Means Change
Management has evolved. The requirements for how to be a good manager have less to do with control and more to do with how well managers can inspire others to perform at the highest levels. These managers are adept at handling a diversity of ideas, opinions and approaches to getting the work done. They freely share their knowledge and help others to be the best version of themselves. These are the managers that will sustain the best companies in the future.If you’re interested in a corporate giving program that will capture the hearts of your employees, Groundswell is the way to go. We make corporate giving easy. Find out how you can get a leg up on the Talent War. Contact us for more information.
Modernizing Philanthropy in the Workplace: Why Investing in HR Technology Is Critical
Read moreWhen asked about the biggest challenges facing human resources professionals in 2022, HR exec Carla Yudhishthu noted something that's a relatively new concept in human resources management: the importance of connecting employees to a bigger purpose at work. That "soft" HR skill, along with recruitment, retention and employee engagement, is separate from what used to be considered the core of HR work — managing the office, tracking employee data, and managing employee benefits and education. It is, however, becoming a larger and more important part of human resources, especially as people return to the office after a lengthy, enforced office timeout. In fact, that side of HR — what Yudhishthu refers to as the "art of HR" — has taken on increasing importance, but the need for the operational side of things hasn't diminished. If your company is still relying on HR workers to essentially do data entry and management, it's time to look at how modern HR technology supports your entire workforce while freeing your HR department to focus on the things that really motivate and engage your employees.
What Motivates Your Workforce? (It's Not What You Think It Is)
Common wisdom suggests that employees are motivated by better pay, higher benefits and workplace recognition and rewards. While all of those elements are important, recent research has found that the most engaged employees share some common experiences and attitudes.1. They work for companies that provide a smooth employee experienceThe easier it is for someone to do their work, the more likely they are to be satisfied with their job. Businesses with engaged employees provide them with the tools they need, not only to do their jobs, but to manage their lives in balance with their work. That includes HR software that puts the information they need at their fingertips, both figuratively and literally. Modern HR technology features apps that allow employees to access and track their own data, so they can see at a glance how many vacation days they have, how much sick time they've earned, and more. They also make it easy and intuitive for workers to submit requests for time off or schedule changes, and to see the progress of their request without having to visit the HR office. By removing friction from basic functions, good HR technology improves the employee experience and increases employee satisfaction. At the same time, it reduces the amount of time your HR department has to spend on routine tasks that can be automated.2. They find purpose in their workA recent McKinsey study found that 70% of the employees they surveyed want work that is meaningful — that fulfills a purpose. The top recommendation from that study was for corporations to identify and consider their impact on the world around them, and work to align their corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies with the values that are important to their employees. People who work for companies that empower them to make changes in the world around them are more likely to stay in their jobs and to recommend their company to others.HR software that helps manage and track CSR and giving can provide a visual reminder of individual and company purpose. 3. Their jobs offer meaningful benefitsWhile the traditional work benefits — health insurance, paid time off and other typical work perks — are still an important draw, employees also want perks that recognize them as whole people. This includes corporate giving programs of all types, from workplace volunteer opportunities to donation match programs. Employees who work for companies that empower and support them in giving back to the community feel a stronger sense of loyalty to their employer.HR technology allows employees to manage their own work-life balance, as well as discover and access benefits provided by the company. The combination leads to more job satisfaction, more transparent company culture and improved well-being across the company.4. They have some flexibility and autonomy in their workAutonomy and flexibility give workers a sense of control and ownership over their contributions to the company and its purpose. Over the past few years of working from home, many employees have found that they're more productive and engaged when they're allowed to make some decisions about when, where and how to approach their work. At the same time, it's important to maintain good communication and set clear expectations. A structured HR interface, along with clear company-wide messaging, can provide a framework that allows employees to make decisions that fit with the overall goals and needs of the entire company.5. They want to work for a company that shares their valuesOne of the most effective ways for a business to align their values with their people is through creating a corporate culture that values transparency, social responsibility and participation. A workplace giving portal does more than provide an easy way for employees to participate in charitable giving. It can also provide a wealth of data to help the HR department:
- Track trends in giving
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the company's corporate giving strategies
- Demonstrate the company's commitment to its values
- Empower employees to support the causes important to them
- Give leadership the information it needs to see if the current programs align with employee values
The Bottom Line
The right HR technology provides the tools, information and structure your company needs to attract, motivate and retain top talent in your field. Not only does it empower your workforce and provide them with transparency, it also frees up your HR professionals to use their creativity and knowledge to improve the workplace.For more tips on building strong leadership and employees, check out our blog.
For many executives, improving employee engagement is a top global business strategy, and for good reason. Employee engagement is critically important in today’s competitive marketplace. Engaged employees are more productive and committed to their companies, generating shareholder value and improving organizational performance. They exhibit lower levels of attrition and absenteeism. Plus, they have fewer on-the-job accidents, foster loyalty among customers and enhance the company’s reputation.
The Reality of Engagement on the Job
Gallup polls indicate that just 36% of employees are engaged on the job. Does that mean that nearly two-thirds of workers are just putting in the hours? Pretty much. According to the research, the number of actively disengaged stands at 15% through June 2021. That leaves another half of all employees who are simply showing up. Not a comforting thought. But it does show that many U.S. companies are nowhere near their potential when it comes to performance.
What Does Employee Engagement Really Look Like?
Employees can be satisfied with their jobs but not actually vested in the company. They may enjoy the work and look forward to the paycheck without being terribly interested in the company's vision. This is not engagement. These employees would be just as comfortable collecting their paychecks from another firm. Engagement means that employees are a key component of your overall strategy and are committed to advancing the company’s goals. It happens when companies create a culture that invites emotional connection, genuine involvement and contagious enthusiasm about the purpose and mission.
How To Improve Engagement
There are a number of programs aimed at getting employees more excited about coming to work each day. Employee engagement ideas are a dime a dozen with blog articles touting 15, 25, 50 ways to engage your workforce. But unless these programs are thoughtfully conceived, they will just be noise. To get true engagement, employees need to feel that their work is valued, their opinions are heard and supported, and they are respected. These are the beliefs that underpin trust. Employees can have the best perks, but if trust is lacking, they will not be engaged. This trust comes from the following areas:
- Trust and respectful communications
- Open dialogues
- Exchange of thoughts and opinions
- Intentional and Positive Company Culture
- Management accountability
8 Employee Engagement Ideas
If your engagement levels aren’t as high as you’d like, there is no silver bullet. One teambuilding event or corporate baseball tournament is not going to fix it. However, there are employee engagement ideas and programs you can implement that will help you get started:
1. Onboard With a Buddy
Match new employees with someone who can help them navigate and understand the company culture. Ideally, it will be an individual outside of their workgroup, allowing them to meet people from other departments. This person can help them become adept at finding resources with the company and answer questions they may not feel comfortable asking their immediate bosses or co-workers.
2. Create Social Spaces
It is important to have social connections and work relationships. These relationships increase collaboration and job satisfaction. Ensure that employees have a place to interact and have a little downtime. You don’t need a foosball table or a trendy office playroom. If all you have is a breakroom, make the space inviting and encourage people to go there. Better yet, solicit the executive team to model the behavior by occasionally making themselves accessible and available in the employee lounge. If some of your employees are remote, you can create virtual meeting spots.
3. Take an Executive to Work
Employees are thrilled when they know that the top leaders in the company understand their day-to-day challenges. That’s the spirit behind Hilton’s innovative Senior Leadership Business Immersion program. The program has senior leaders and board members spend three days doing customer-facing work. This means that executives are making beds and preparing room service trays right alongside the staff. They leave the experience with a greater appreciation of the challenges and opportunities the business is facing and the improvements that could be made. Perhaps the greatest benefits, however, are the boost it provides to employee morale and the feeling of solidarity it generates.
4. Golden Globe Award
Competing priorities can sometimes make teams believe that they aren’t all working toward the same ends. It may help to introduce a fun ritual that doesn’t require much time. You don’t actually need a golden globe, or even a globe. Any symbolic object will work.Each week, the object is awarded, with a bit of celebratory fanfare, from one team to another. The award is given in recognition for assistance provided, an expedited request, information shared or simply being helpful colleagues. The next week, the award is passed from the former recipients to another team. The idea is to encourage inter-team collaboration and goodwill.
5. Partners, Not Employees
London-based company John Lewis calls its 80,000 employees partners. It’s an interesting choice of words because the vast majority of the people who work there are not true partners according to the legal definition. Rather, they share responsibility for the company, its customers and its outcomes. The word partner evokes a sense of empowerment. The company stated, in their words, as “an experiment in industrial democracy.”
6. Driven by Purpose
According to Gartner researchers, 65% of those surveyed say that the pandemic has made them rethink the place work should have in their lives. Increasingly, employees want to work for a company that aligns with a purpose that they can believe in.Southwest Airlines is a company that differentiates itself beyond being a transporter of people. They consider themselves an enabler that helps people get to the people or places they care about. It’s not a huge difference, but it does help define a strong purpose and an emotional connection with its employees and an important responsibility to the customers they serve. That’s not the end of the story, though. Southwest encourages its employees to create a superior experience for the customers and give them the support and the trust they need to accomplish this goal.
7. Help Employees Give Back
People love to donate to a good cause and in 2020, charitable giving topped $471 billion. Companies give to nonprofit organizations, as well. But those organizations may not be the ones that capture the hearts and minds of their employees. Everyone has a favorite charity or two. Groundswell allows employees to pick the problems and the solutions they want to address, supporting them with matching donations of up to $5,000 and time off to volunteer. It makes managing employee giving programs effortless. Further, Groundswell provides data that gives employers insight into the issues their employees care about. It’s great information to have as you consider how to design your HR practices and plan your strategic initiatives to deepen employee engagement.
8. Take a Stand
Beyond simply sending a check to a select group of nonprofits, companies can take a stand on causes that employees care deeply about. Many corporations have adopted K-12 schools and invested time and resources to bring about higher-quality educational experiences in underserved communities. Employees at SDN Communications in Sioux Falls have an opportunity to make an impact and bond with colleagues as they engage in activities such as a winter clothing drive and volunteering for the Read Across America program.
The Bottom Line
It’s no coincidence that some of the most profitable companies today are those with the most engaged workforces. It’s the companies that summit on “the best places to work” lists. Their employees don’t flock to the company because they have a cool game room and free snacks. They aren’t drawn in by catchy slogans and nice placards on the wall. They are excited by the vision and energized by the empowerment they feel when they come to work each day. Employee engagement is all about building your brand internally. It will take some work, but the rewards will determine how your company will fare against the competition in the years to come. When you consider engagement statistics, the reality is that engaged employees help companies win. If you’d like more information on the benefits of a donor-advised fund, contact Groundswell today.
Few of the 4 million U.S. students who graduate each year either want or expect a job for life. In fact, the average American employee stays with a company for just over four years, according to Bureau of Labor statistics. Churn is the sign of a healthy employment landscape, but something bigger is afoot in the current job market. More than 19 million U.S. workers have quit since April 2021 as part of the “Great Resignation.” For the most part, employers don’t know why they’re struggling to retain employees or how to stem the flow beyond crude employee retention strategies such as pay rises. The volatility shaping the employment landscape is about purpose, not pay. Today’s employee isn’t debating where to work, but why. Paradoxically, that’s an opportunity for employers to listen, learn and reassess how to retain employees.
What Is Employee Retention?
We’ve already explored how leadership can stimulate employee engagement, but that’s only possible if you’re able to keep employees on the payroll in the first place. Employee retention typically refers to the proportion of existing employees who remain with the company over a standard 12-month period. Sectors with the highest employee turnover include seasonal roles (lifeguards and ski instructors), retail, food service, cashiers and hospitality. These have drawn fierce criticism recently for offering minimum wage positions with little career advancement, ultimately leading employees to vote with their feet.
The Importance of Retaining Employees
Research by McKinsey at the height of the Great Resignation revealed that 40% of employees surveyed expected to quit their job in the next three months. Significantly, many were planning to resign without having lined up their next role. For the employee, it’s a brief moment of liberation before the reality of student loans and bills refocuses the mind, but for American businesses as a whole, $11 billion is lost every year due to employee turnover. The cost of hiring and training new employees adds up.
Why Do Good Employees Leave?
Half of employees leave within their first two years of employment. Not all necessarily have an ax to grind, but research by PwC identified four recurring reasons why employees jump ship:
- Salary - Many employees find they can only unlock a pay rise by switching employers.
- Benefits - Health coverage, pensions and child care are powerful tools employers can use to attract talent from their rivals.
- Career advancement - Today’s fast-evolving digital landscape means that employees can quickly outgrow the skill set of their current business and will search for more challenging opportunities.
- Flexibility - Particularly since the pandemic, employers are looking for something more than a cubicle in a downtown office five days a week.
How To Retain Employees: 10 Strategies from Great Companies
What are companies such as Pfizer, Verizon and Procter & Gamble doing to set them apart from other Fortune 100 companies when it comes to tempering volatility and boosting employee retention? The most effective employee retention strategies excel in the following ten areas.
1. Onboarding and Exit Interviews
The best-valued employers have a clear, consistent process for onboarding new hires that is interactive and engaging, perhaps featuring self-service resources, for example. New arrivals are given transparent benchmarks for performance targets.
The exit interview isn’t a lost cause when it comes to retention, however. For the employer, there’s a huge learning opportunity to discover shortcomings within the company that a current employee wouldn’t be willing to share.
2. Set Mutual Goals
Employees don’t want to feel as if they’re simply filling a vacancy. They want a road map, marked with SMART goals, that gives them momentum. Too many employers focus on what they need from a new employee, in terms of targets, without incorporating the element of professional development employees may be thinking about.
3. Work/Life Balance
Research by Microsoft showed that Gen Z has more work-related problems than any other generation. It stands to reason. They’re starting their careers in a disruptive time and have to progress at a relentless rate just to keep pace with evolving technology. Employee burnout is by no means confined to the Wall Street masters of the universe. With the lines increasingly blurred between work and home, and the right to be “offline” up for challenge, employers need to show greater flexibility when it comes to accommodating their staff.
4. Perks
A corner office or snack trolley is no longer the apogee of office perks. The most sought-after employers offer a richer variety of perks that find time and space for personal growth, whether it’s opportunities for wellness, fitness or education. These benefits should be applicable to all employees too, and incorporate family-focused perks. Patagonia, for example, offers new moms on-site child care.
A toxic work culture is one of the biggest reasons why good people leave a company. It could be active, such as unethical behavior or bullying, or passive, such as a failure to progress on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) measures.
A business that stands for something as a company, on the other hand, with strong values that resonate with those of its employees is more likely to retain talent. That’s the values-driven ethos behind Groundswell, making it easier for companies to offer tax-advantaged charitable giving as an employee benefit.
6. Mentorship and Training
Even a master’s degree or MBA has an expiry date. Ambitious employees crave ongoing professional development and it should be customized to their role or needs. A team that isn’t learning will stagnate, so employers have to take the lead by offering bespoke learning opportunities. It’s not enough to attract the cream of the graduate pool. Employers need to grow their existing teams too to hold on to them.
7. Communication
The frequency and quality of feedback can be critical in retaining employees. It doesn’t have to be restricted to the official quarterly review, which often feels like a box-ticking exercise for Human Resources. When employees feel heard, understood, and nurtured, they stay. When they feel overlooked or misunderstood, they seek fresh challenges.
8. Compensation
On average, workers gain a 10% to 20% raise in base salary by switching employers, but the number on the napkin isn’t the only factor to clinch the deal. Employees are looking for transparency when it comes to pay scales, gender equity, the opportunity to access performance-related commissions and bonuses, as well as rewards that don’t necessarily feature on the pay slip.
9. Recognition
Organizations with formal employee recognition programs can expect around 31% less voluntary employee turnover. Unfortunately, too many employees feel paid but not valued. As many as two-thirds of American employees claim to have received no recognition whatsoever for their good work in the last year. Employers can boost retention by establishing formal programs that enable top-down and peer-to-peer gratitude and recognition.
10. Support Flexible Working
Research from Prudential showed that 42% of American employees planned to quit if remote working was not an option. That’s the post-pandemic reality. Employers must recognize that the limitations of the office environment have been exposed and embrace the sharing of ideas and breaking down of silos across remote channels.
Retain Your Talent
Groundswell established charitable giving as a pillar of compensation. In turn, that allows your business to attract values-driven talent and reward them with a perk that matters. To find out more about our accessible philanthropy platform, contact us today.
Companies could simply donate a few hundred dollars here and some old computers there and call it good, right? So what is the purpose of corporate social responsibility?In the past, companies didn’t worry much about how they could give back. Sure, plenty of businesses gave money to their favorite charities and sponsored the local Little League team. While charitable donations of any type are commendable, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is something more. It is about holistic business practices that support a healthy economy and a strong global community for long-term sustainability, not just for the corporation, but for the world.In the ‘80s, there were a handful of corporations that built their legacies on giving back some part of their proceeds to support communities and provide for the underserved, like Newman’s Own and Ben & Jerry’s. But it wasn’t until the last couple of decades that consumers began to expect more.With the growing popularity of the internet and easy access to global news, corporate dealings became more transparent. Consumers couldn’t help noticing the media spotlight on the existential issues that we face today — climate change, contamination and the depletion of our natural resources, as well as the exploitation of our world communities.Increasingly, customers want to deal with companies that are responsible and ethical. At the same time, more business leaders understand that they have a vital role to play in actively participating in global solutions. International powerhouses such as Coca-Cola, Pfizer and Walt Disney made CSR an essential part of their business processes. Both large and small businesses are bolstering their CSR initiatives. In the process, they are attracting the best talent, engendering customer loyalty, and improving the communities that they serve.
What Is Corporate Social Responsibility?
Corporate social responsibility is the integration of societal and environmental concerns into the strategy and operations of a business. It consists of initiatives that are founded on the principle that companies should play a positive role in the community and be accountable for the impacts they have on society as a whole. The term was coined in the 1950s by economist Howard Bowen, but elements of it have existed since the 1800s. Although there is no specific law that mandates social responsibility per se, most company leaders have long recognized that when they act in the best interest of society, benefits accrue to them.
Benefit of CSR
In many corporations, CSR matches existing cultural values and aligns with the ethics and morality of the leaders. That’s reason enough to have a CSR program and, in any case, answers the question: “What is the purpose of corporate social responsibility?” However, even though businesses may not expect that there will be a strategic advantage or even many benefits to the CSR program, the rewards are plentiful.CSR programs consistently return results. For example, they:
- Increase brand recognition.
- Create positive perceptions and enhance the brand reputation.
- Differentiate the company from its competitors.
- Provide greater protection against reputational damage.
- Generate increased customer loyalty.
These benefits are backed by research. Further, customers are four to six times more likely to buy from and trust a company with a strong sense of purpose. And 87% of those surveyed report that they would purchase products and services from companies that advocate for the causes they believe in.
The CSR pyramid
The CSR pyramid is a framework that represents the role of business in society and how businesses can take social responsibility. It was created by Archie Carroll, professor emeritus at the Terry College of Business, University of Georgia, in 1991. The hierarchy of the pyramid appears to place economic consideration before all else. In actual practice, if a business cannot be profitable while following the legal and ethical norms of a society, it should not exist. Like all frameworks, it has its limitations. Yet, despite criticisms that it may misrepresent the relative business priorities and place too strong an emphasis on profit-first, it still provides a useful way to think about how social responsibility works.In any corporation, there will always be tension between what is right and what is profitable. At the end of the day, a viable business must make money. Savvy leaders understand that they must be both ethical and legal. The others become Enron. Let’s consider each of the levels:PhilanthropicThe responsibility to be a good corporate citizen, to serve mankind and to look out for the poor and the underprivileged.EthicalThe responsibility to do what is right and fair, do no harm, follow fair labor practices, uphold nondiscriminatory actions and provide equal pay.LegalThe responsibility to obey the law, society’s codification of right and wrong.EconomicThe responsibility to make a profit and to meet its core responsibility to shareholders.Each of these components works together to create a sustainable operating model.
How Does CSR Work?
There’s no one right way to do CSR. Programs can take many forms. Following are some of the most popular:
- General donations: Corporations give money to their favorite nonprofits with no expectations in return.
- In-kind giving: Rather than money, corporations donate products, services, equipment or use of their facilities, for example.
- Scholarship and grants: Companies provide need-based or merit-based money for education, often targeting specific fields where they have an interest.
- Sponsorships: Companies pay money or donate products, services and even their employees, to be associated with an event, a team, a project or just the nonprofit itself.
- Disaster relief donations: When disaster strikes, relief efforts provide we assistance to communities and individuals who need food, shelter, clothing and other essentials.
- Employee volunteer programs: These workplace-based initiatives support and encourage employees to participate in managed community volunteer efforts.
- Matching gifts: Corporations set up an employee benefit that provides a matching donation to nonprofit organizations.
- Volunteer grants: Also known as a dollars for doers programs, corporations provide grant money to nonprofits based on the number of hours employees spend volunteering there.
- Pro bono work: Companies provide free services, typically professional work, to those in need.
Best Practices for a CSR Program
CSR is self-regulating. As such, there are no rules of compliance that you must follow. But there are certain things a company can do to ensure that the program gets a good start and that it exercises the discipline required to meet its business objectives.
- Put together a vision of where you want to be based on Carroll’s pyramid. What is the right balance between profitability and service to the community?
- Audit current activities. What are you doing now that could be considered part of your CSR program?
- Develop a business code of ethics. Establish guiding principles that provide direction in terms of daily operations and how you treat employees, customers, the environment and competitors.
- Adopt a workplace health and safety program. Ensure that you are following government regulations that are aimed at providing a safe work environment, avoiding the transmission of disease and preventing accidents.
- Pledge to protect the environment. Start by implementing the three Rs of waste management in your workplace: reduce, reuse and recycle. Consider ways to minimize your carbon footprint, e.g., smart lighting and eliminating unnecessary travel.
- Get strategic about nonprofits. Donate to causes that make sense given your business model and your values.
- Mandate supply chain CSR. Communicate your values and expectations to your suppliers. Treat your suppliers equitably.
CSR Made Easy
One way to ensure that your CSR program runs smoothly is to find the right partners. Technology can help you effortlessly monitor, manage and measure the results of your program. Groundswell is the best option when you are looking to make charitable giving an employee benefit. It allows you to create a personal foundation for each employee and put the control in their capable hands. If you’d like more information about Groundswell, contact us.
Groundswell CEO Jake Wood hosted a LinkedIn Audio conversation with The Muse founder Kathryn Minshew talking about the latest in The Great Resignation. The Muse is a market-leading online job portal that compiles detailed profiles of companies looking for top talent. With over 68 million people who use the site every single month, it has long been the go-to location for talent seeking a meaningful relationship with their employers. Below you'll find a transcript of their conversation.
Hi Kathryn, it is so nice to have you here. Can you tell us more about The Muse?
Thank you Jake, very excited with our discussion. Well, I have been kind of at the intersection of values based work, changing generational trends. And I just ask these questions, do you find work you love as a business? How do you attract people who are actually going to be happy in the jobs and the culture that you have? I've been in this space for a little over 10 years, which is just wild. I feel like it's been a fascinating last couple of years.
At The Muse we are aiming to help individuals find a career that matches their unique preferences, values and priorities.
We have 68 million people who use the site every single month, a lot of Gen Z and Millennial candidates in particular, but we're not limited by age. So people are searching for jobs based on certain benefits, like paid parental leave or tuition reimbursement. They can also look for jobs and companies that have a female founder, veteran founded, black founded— a lot of different leadership attributes. We're constantly asking individuals, what are they looking for? We have hundreds of companies we work with, from Apple, to Goldman Sachs to Enterprise rent-a-car, and a bunch of small businesses as well. We are also asking these companies what are they offering? What do they think that they need to do to attract employees? It's a marketplace, and I just love this space. I love seeing it evolve, particularly in the last six to eight months, as we've been dealing with The Great Resignation.
Everyone is talking about The Great Resignation, and some people have no idea what that means. On the most fundamental level, people are expressing their dissatisfaction with their jobs. Many people are quitting their employment and not returning to the labor force. I believe there is a lot lurking beneath the surface. And you're starting to see some of this come to light, as well as how certain leaders are beginning to reframe it. Some refer to it as The Great Migration, while others refer to it as The Great Reshuffle. What is going on, in your opinion?
Well, I prefer the term, The Great Reshuffle or The Great Rethink, because it's not just that people are quitting, but people are re-evaluating their priorities. They are using this opportunity to make career moves, some for better salary, some for a career that treats them better, or a job that is more aligned with their values, purpose, and mission. To put it in context, you mentioned the scope of the changes, and I think that it's just helpful to note the number of people quitting is higher than we have ever seen since this data has been recorded.
There were millions of people in November who quit, and there were more job openings than at any point in history.
So it's really interesting that we're seeing workers have more power. I have to say that this trend has been going on for a long time, even from the early days of The Muse back in 2019 and early 2020. Right before the pandemic, I saw that. The internet just makes it a lot easier to understand what else is out there. It does that in opinions in the media, in every field, but it definitely does that in careers where people have unprecedented access to all the other jobs that they might be able to get, all the other companies that they could be working for. Candidates are getting more choosy in where they work.
Do you mean that this has been going on for a long time, even before COVID? Is it a slow-boiling trend exacerbated by COVID, but it will still be the eventual outcome?
Yes, 100%. For example, the products that we use like Netflix, it personalizes its recommendations which is a big advancement in technology over the last several years. I showed people that you should be able to get something curated for you, personalized for your preference.
The workplace on the other hand has in a lot of cases remained one size fits all— and that is changing.
I totally agree that COVID is a huge accelerant, and we're moving faster in the direction of workers voting with their feet, and expressing preferences. But I don't think the trend is anything new and none of the data I'm seeing indicates that it's going anywhere.
What, in your perspective, was the main driving force? Is it the move to remote work, or the decision point people are facing as some companies demand a return to the office? Is it more of an inward introspection, driven by, to put it frankly, this brush with mortality that came with COVID? What was the trigger of this unexpected surge?
I think it's a fool's errand to try and pinpoint the one thing because we have seen so many of these trends, but I love that you brought up. I don't think people are looking at this enough, the fact that we had this collective brush with death. It's very common in a lot of movies, you'll see a main character who is almost in a car accident, or they narrowly escaped death in some way, it reminds me of them of their mortality. And they wake up and they say, "Oh, my gosh, I'm not living life in accordance with my values, I need to make a change."
This is so common, and yet, I think we've not experienced, at least in the last, several decades, as sort of society-wide reckoning with how fragile life is, what matters beyond the day to day rat race.
I really think that the shift to remote has been huge. There have been a lot of structural and societal changes that were brought all at once. But I do think that one of the biggest themes is this fact, this reckoning with people's individual values with how they find meaning in life, and that often comes out of tragedy. But I think it's created a sense where they want to live a life that is more aligned with what matters to them, and so they're looking to work and workplace as a big piece of that.
Here at Groundswell, we have firsthand knowledge. We're venture-backed, we've got funding, we can contribute equity, we have an amazing product with big commercial prospects, but it's difficult to attract talent right now because it's a war. Do you believe people are changing their priorities because they can afford to do so right now?
Yes you're completely right. We are seeing cases where candidates are getting multiple competing offers. Salaries are obviously on the rise, a lot of companies are rethinking their benefits package. You can't underestimate the importance of a great mission— a strong company culture. For anyone who is hiring right now, there are a lot of messages in the market right now about what candidates want.I have a lot of data about what candidates say that they're looking for. But what's really interesting is, there's not one single path, or one single rubric that every candidate is measuring a company. The opportunity and challenge of the era we're in is the candidates have very specific individual priority lists, and they are measuring up your company or your opportunity against those lists. The reason I think that this is an opportunity is that, let's say that you can't provide the perks of Google, but you can really invest in learning and growth and professional development opportunities.Whatever it is, if you can get clear about what you can offer, and you can make those promises to the market and back them up. You'll find candidates who want what you're offering, and you just have to be really clear about what you're offering.
It has to be genuine, authentic, because there is a lot of punishment right now in the marketplace for companies that miss promise.
In an excerpt from Entrepreneur Magazine, a reporter was discussing a conversation he was having with a consultant. And then he says, "Companies will no longer be able to impose a one-size-fits-all approach if they wish to compete. Instead, they'll need to tailor their interactions with their employees, just as they did with their consumers." He's arguing that the future of employee management will be similar to what's happened in customer service over the last two decades. Many of these customer care activities take a one-to-one approach to customer support rather than the one-to-many strategy that was previously the only scalable way to do it. How do you feel about that? Do you agree or disagree? Is it going to have to be one-on-one? And is that scalable for companies wishing to do this at the enterprise level?
Yeah, I love that quote. I think that it's undeniable that this is the direction we're moving in. The path that we're on, is it going to be fully one to one, everyone chooses their own adventure? Probably not— or at least not for a long time. But, when you look at the experience right now, it's very uncustomary sized. I think it's very clear that people are seeking more personal solutions, they want to be heard on their deepest needs. It doesn't mean every single whim, but on the most core priorities of an individual, they are looking for those to be met by their workplace, and if not met, they might leave.I like the customer service example, but I actually think B2B marketing is really interesting. No company right now, just blast every potential customer with the exact same message, the exact same. I'm not a B2B marketer, but B2B marketing folks have a lot of software, there's data, there's strategy. There's an entire system for saying, different people are at different points in the process, they have different needs, so they create customized flows. The thing is, it probably feels really hard. This idea that businesses are going to create a bit more of a customized flow. But you need to do it, because it's important to your businesses, so people will figure it out. We figured it out in B2B marketing, we figured it out in customer service, and I think unfortunately HR often gets the short end of the stick.
Everyone talks about the importance of people, but a lot of companies aren't really set up with the employee experience as a key priority. I think that The Great Resignation is forcing that to change.
Businesses will have to figure out how to do so. Is that a viable strategy for scaling a business? On the other hand, can you afford not to?
It's really easy for this conversation, to hang out in the extremes. Companies that treat their people like garbage are completely blind to their wants and needs. Then on the other end, companies that are just bending over backwards, contorting themselves into shapes, trying to deal with the every request of a very demanding workforce. I think that obviously, I don't want to live in either of those extremes, I'm guessing nobody wants to.
We live in America, don't we live in the world of extreme dialogue?
Yes that is true. Some of it starts with some basic principles. I've been familiar enough with you as a CEO and as a leader to know that some of these are very organic to the style that you lead. In running The Muse, every single employee who works at the Muse chose to come here, and they could have gone somewhere else. That doesn't mean that I have to give them everything they want, obviously I can't. But it does mean that when leadership teams approach employee relations and talent with this idea, that your people are good, and they have other options, it's basically mutual respect.A lot of the tools that we give companies are sort of under the hood, and the advice we give them as well, is how to listen to your people and understand. What is making your happy people happiest? What is making disgruntled or frustrated or less engaged people less happy or making them leave? It's not about the feeling that you have to fix everything immediately. We live in an imperfect world, and that's not a very realistic task. But it is about saying, “How do I identify the biggest things that are standing in the way of employee satisfaction and genuinely commit with real resources to working on those?” I think it's becoming more important for employers to say, “How do I make sure that before people come here, they have a rough sense of what they're getting?”People will opt into all sorts of work environments willingly, but they want to do it with their eyes wide open. They want to say, “Yes, this problem matters to me so much.” The thing about the Marine Corps, people know what they're getting there. Of course, there's always surprises, I don't mean it like that. But broadly speaking, there is a sense, and please correct me if I'm wrong, but I think there's a pretty clear sense that this is what you're signing up for. I think that most leaders, if they were pretty transparent about what you're signing up for by joining our company, would find that their people are actually happier than you know.
The worst thing is when people feel like they have been misled in the hiring process.
That is a brilliant point. You're completely correct; one of my favorite recruiting ads was run by the Marine Corps before I joined, I believe in the 1980s. It's an old poster featuring a drill instructor glowering at a recruit with an evil look, and the poster's title is "We didn't promise you a rose garden." They were quite clear about what you should expect, but I believe you're correct. I believe that all too frequently, CEOs recruit for resumes or pedigree rather than for the type of individual they want to join the team. It's a marketplace for how companies treat their employees rather than the types of jobs they're promoting. Is that accurate?
Yes it's definitely one of the things that we're focused on. We've seen this again, and again, some people want work environments that are one way, some people want them differently. My favorite metaphor is dating, right? Because there's no such thing as the best people to marry in your city. I don't think there's such a thing as the best companies to work for. Best for who it really is, on what you want, what your values are, what sort of work environment you're seeking out. Some people want a lot of stability, consistency, low velocity of change, and things are very predictable.Discussions take place over long periods of time, with tons of input from all across the organization, and then a decision is made and rarely changed. Other people drive them insane, they want fast change experiments. I think when you have people who are frustrated, frankly, sometimes there is a real problem in the workplace and that is something that is very, very important to keep in the conversation. But sometimes there's a real mismatch between the type of work environment someone is looking for, and the type of work environment that they've found.That's why companies are putting a lot more of their work environment, their values, their culture out there. It's scary for companies to be more honest, because every HR leader I know is working with folks at their company but should only say the good things. I'm not necessarily saying that companies need to wave every bit of dirty laundry out there. Let's say that you are a traditional company that hasn't been trying to become more innovative, but is also dealing with a kind of slower moving legacy culture.We found that it's actually much more effective to tell a lot of people,"Hey, our leadership is committed to becoming more innovative, we are doing these things. We also are, you know, dealing with some of these legacy systems, but we're all working together to move in this direction that is going to yield," If that's the truth, that's going to yield a much more likely match with someone who knows that that's what they're signing up for, and is excited about it than trying to say like, "We're just as innovative as all these, you know, startups, and you can come here to and kind of move really fast on the latest technology".
If that's not true people are going to be really disengaged, which is awful, for everyone. It's bad for the candidate, and it's really bad for the employer, too.
"I don't believe in good cultures and terrible cultures," I used to say. In terms of business culture, I believe in both strong and weak cultures. There's a great difference between good and bad, and strong and weak; one is by design, the other is unintentional. It's been carefully constructed to achieve specific results. I believe what I'm hearing from you is that the same is true for workplaces, correct? There aren't always good and poor work settings, but there are those that are better than others for certain people. However, the best work environments were created with certain goals in mind. Is that what you're saying?
I think it's a complicated issue, because you do have certain elements of sort of toxicity in companies, especially when you get into cultures that are not equitable by design. There are companies that have a culture that's hard charging. If it could be made more equitable, the hard charging, this wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea, and that might be fine. For some people, it's a kind of preference. "Yes, I want that '', "No, I don't"; is then layered in with a culture that is not inclusive or diverse, a culture that has issues with structural sexism or racism. Then you have both a preference, the hard charging-ness intersecting with something that is truly toxic.I think that's another challenge is there are some places that just have major issues. And often if I talk to an HR leader, who's at a company, they say, "We don't treat our employees well, and management doesn't want to change'', "What can I do to help attract people?" There are companies that have historically not been good at equity that are making real strides now. I think it's really hard for jobseekers to get a sense of what you're like, but we're in such a time of change that business leaders have relegated talent and work experience and company culture to their HR department, so that's their job. They're starting to wake up and say, “This has to be everyone on the executive team's job otherwise, we are going to be in big trouble.”
Before, I was asked by a partner at a big VC firm, "Are you going to build a remote company or an in-person first company?" You are the expert on the future of work. What are your thoughts?
I will tell you what I'm seeing in the data, and then I'll tell you how I think about it personally. So in the data, I'll say that, when we pulled job seekers, at the very end of last year, about the most important criteria that they were considering, when looking for a new job, work life balance was number one above everything else. It is way far ahead of compensation, or anything else. Now, that doesn't necessarily mean remote. But I think it does mean flexibility and work life balance.
How much of that is driven by the fact that if they're looking for work right now, it's because they're leaving a job that doesn't allow for that kind of flexibility? Was that a foregone conclusion because they were job seekers at the time?
We've surveyed The Muse's users over time, the number of people who want flexibility is going way up. But again, it doesn't necessarily mean that a lot of people don't want to go back into the office consistently. In fact, 24% of our users prefer to return full time to the office.
I think that flexibility marker means that people want to have the ability to have some flexibility when needed. Workers want to be treated with respect by their employers.
Companies that are going to prioritize offices first should work with their team to figure out a policy that lets people have a bit of flexibility. The biggest chunk of our users 41% said that they prefer to go back to work part time in the office, part time remote, while 34% prefer to remain totally remote, and 24% prefer to return full time to the office. The thing that's so interesting is, when you really dig under the surface, no company is going to be able to make everyone happy. Because back to the office, they don't want an empty office that they can use whenever they want to go back with their team and experience the full on office experience, which a lot of people miss when working remotely.If everyone else is in the office, they want to be on a team that is distributed first. Going back to the very first question you asked me, this is why I think The Great Reshuffle or The Great Rethink is such a better term for what we're experiencing than The Great Resignation. Because right now, a lot of people are staying put in their jobs because they like the work, they like the manager.And at the end of the day, most companies at least, aren't fully decided how they're going to navigate, remote, in person, or hybrid work set-up. We're still in this pandemic, and there's still a lot up in the air. Some companies have come back, and some have said they're going to be fully remote. There's no answer that makes everyone happy. I think leaders are going to have to think about what they believe is the right answer for their business.
What does the future hold for a 23-year-old fresh out of college? Going into a remote-only company for their first job? How does that person advance in their career?
A lot of early career employees have been put at a big disadvantage. I used to spend a pretty good amount of time, every single week, just walking around The Muse's office, I would purposefully hang out, in the kitchen, near the Bevi machine. I would put myself in situations almost every single day, and certainly for a good amount of time, every week, where I would just be available to chat with folks. My goal was to see that new SDR sales development rep who had just joined, or talk to the account manager who had just closed a big deal and congratulate them, or ask that engineer what problem they were working on.I wanted to create a lot of these small, informal opportunities to build connections. "Leadership's a contact sport," it's a contact sport that requires those collisions. I really love that phrase. I think that it has been really hard in a virtual world. We use a tool called doughnuts at The Muse, where two people every two weeks are matched for coffee. So I get matched for these coffees with folks all over the business. I love that, but it doesn't quite replace the in-person interaction. For the people that I work with closely, like our leadership team, I get a lot of time with them, I know them, they know me, and I'm missing them in person. But at the end of the day, I feel like our relationship is pretty deep with mostly virtual contact, and then we see each other in person every now and then.I think it's much harder to do that when people have weak ties in the organization or multiple levels or departments apart. There's the flexibility, which a lot of people are focusing on virtual work. I do think we'll see some sort of backlash among a segment of folks, there are people who like their remote all the way and they know what works for them. We have not settled on what we're going to do post pandemic, it will likely be a hybrid approach, but I do think that some of that human connection is needed.
When you really bring people together and let them develop personal relationships outside of direct reporting structures, I think that it's really important.
Kathryn, what are the two or three things that a company should be doing right now, if you could summarize? How do leaders take advantage of this disruptive moment for others and turn it to their benefit?
Start the process of listening to your people now. Listening to your current employees, listening to folks who are leaving. Making sure you're doing really thoughtful exit interviews. I recommend anonymous forums, which allow people sometimes to share things with less fear of blowback, but also small group conversations.
I think it's really important to put your employee stories as genuine, authentic truths about your company work experience as part of the recruiting process.
At The Muse, I encourage all of our recruiting processes, where we send candidates a lot of information. Obviously, there's the job profile, but we'll also give them a lot of time to ask questions. We encourage the entire interview team to be very transparent. We equip people with the results of our latest poll survey. We also use a tool called Culture Amp to understand how people are experiencing different things at The Muse. I never want someone to show up at The Muse and feel really surprised about what they found. I want them to have their eyes wide open when making a decision.Companies can get really clear on their work environment, their culture, what they offer if they do this. It also includes accepting that some people will move on, but if they were an employee with good standing, make sure they know that if the next opportunity is not what they thought it would be, you'd welcome them back. In the past I was against rehiring past employees or what I call boomerang back. But you know, if they were great employees, it can actually be really valuable to have people come back who realized that the grass is not always greener elsewhere.
At Groundswell, we are privileged to connect with industry professionals that share our vision of rethinking and reigniting corporate giving. We love to sit down with smart folks, and learn about their perspectives on key CSR topics. Taylor Amerman is the Senior Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility at CDW, a Fortune 200 company that is a leading multi-brand provider of information technology solutions to business, government, education, and healthcare. Taylor believes that empowering employee giving can positively affect CSR practices. She is a proponent for CSR, sustainability, transparency and efficiency.
Hello Taylor, It's great to have you here. To begin, could you please tell me a little bit about your background and your journey into the world of CSR in general?
My journey with CSR started when I was young.
I was very involved in the community, and had some transformational experiences through volunteerism.
In middle school and high school I had the ability to travel abroad, and that really inspired me for my career. However,I was in undergrad during the financial crisis and really needed a strong degree, so I ended up getting my undergrad and accounting with a minor in Community Leadership and Development. I went through tons of career paths, and during this time I started to learn about a field called CSR or Corporate Social Responsibility.I studied abroad at Queen's University in Belfast. During that time, I saw that there were master's degree programs in CSR. I graduated and went straight into my first master's at the University of Nottingham in England.After I graduated, I ended up moving back to the US. I had interned twice at Brown-Forman, a spirits and wine company, during undergrad and landed a job in CSR there after graduation. I led Alcohol Responsibility for many years but was ready for something new and went back to school while working. I received my Global Executive MBA from Duke University and graduated in December of 2020. I then took a new role as the Senior Manager, Corporate Social Responsibility for CDWin May of 2021.I lead all of our global social impact work here at CDW.
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has compelled everyone to adopt a new way of life. For better or worse, we've all changed the way we think about ourselves and our interactions with others. What kinds of things do you see as important for companies to support this new normal?
I think that mental health is at the top of the list. Not seeing people in person provides the opportunity to cover and hide a lot of behaviors that might be more obvious if you're in an office setting and seeing someone all day. Companies need to truly discuss supporting mental health and put the well being of people first. There’s also a unique position that looks different when you're a leader or you have a team and leading numerous people.
Each person needs something unique and different. We should really be focused on what's important and try not to cut any corners.
We need to start investing in our people. There is also the cost of living while working at home. Companies did a pretty good job early by providing Wi-Fi subsidies and office equipment. However, really ensuring that people have all the tech that they need is really important.Another point to consider is the empowerment of every situation. Trusting your employees to complete their tasks when they are due and focusing on the job's objectives rather than the hours worked.
Don't think about the hours. Instead, concentrate on responsibility and accomplishment rather than the amount of time they spend at their desk.
During this time, everyone is struggling with culture and relationships. I believe that simply being proactive about listening to your people and listening to their needs is extremely important.
In reference to what you just discussed, how connected is what you do in your work, and are there specific programs that you have developed to help support employees?
Right now, we're still building, building, building. I'm all about collective impact. I love hearing things from different departments. This way I can offer insights like, "I heard you're about to launch this massive sponsorship. That's great. How have you thought about social impact as part of that sponsorship?”By asking these questions I can potentially provide an add-on to make something bigger.We are also looking to help individual employees make connections in their local community by engaging in one-on-one dialogues. I usually ask questions like, “What is your community? What are you passionate about? What are you wanting to get out of this? How are you wanting to learn and grow?”Knowing this information, I can work with HR on opportunities for coworkers, whether that's to volunteer, or access to one of our museum partners, or the zoo. Leveraging our corporate community partnerships, we can provide connections to our employees. We've got a long way to go. Alignment to digital equity is our new focus. We want to know how we can support employees, help them communicate,tell more stories, and be more transparent.
We want our employees to be proud members of our company. And our work with CSR can definitely help make employees feel good about being a part of the organization.
Is there a link between a company's social impact or CSR strategy and what we're seeing with The Great Resignation? And, if so, what are some of the broader business implications?
With the great resignation as a whole, I think a huge part of that comes down to management. Leaders and managers should care about the person before the job. I firmly believe that there's usually a reason if an employee’s performance is poor, and you need to figure out what's going on. Remember, people bring their whole self to work along with the stress and struggles of life. Simply finding a new job is not always the solution to happiness. Good people management is incredibly important. Managers need to care about their people.
Remember, people usually leave managers and bosses, not jobs.
When it comes to CSR, having 100% authenticity matters. People are tired of hearing one thing and seeing something else. For example if a company claims that they care, but you see contrary behaviors despite what the company says they stand for, it becomes less convincing.
People are done seeing the pretty words, the PDFs, and the presentations, they want to know what is actually happening.
Remember, people are focused on action. They're over the words, commitment, strategy, and goals. They want to know what is actually happening on a day-to-day basis.
Is there a positive outcome or opportunity to be had from this?
CSR has too many boxes around it. I'm in many peer groups, and I can't believe how many rules there are about how you can go use your volunteer hours. That's crazy, because if you care about volunteering, you should be able togo volunteer wherever you want to volunteer. We need to remove those barriers, policies and guidelines and just enable the freedom to do it in order to make a difference in the world. We should go and connect, because the psychology of helping someone else is huge. As it relates to Groundswell, what I really like is the empowerment around giving. I ask myself, "Are we overly processed in philanthropy and getting the money out?" That's what we need to think about right now. Let’s just empower everyone to make philanthropy accessible. The process and system should not be complicated. We need to ask ourselves, "How can we simplify things for employees and our community partners?”
Nobody wants the application to take two hours or even 30 minutes. We need to create more equitable access and processes to funding.
How important is it for a company's CSR strategy, or social impact strategy, for CSR professionals to have that deep knowledge on employee sentiment around social causes? How does the entire process work for you?
There are pros and cons, but I think it's helpful to have employee input. However there's also times where CSR and Social Impact professionals are the expert, and that's okay. A challenging thing at a company like ours, is that we have a ton of people who care, it is a very caring company. But we also recognize that our employees are individuals with varying desires and sometimes they don’t align with our brand. We need to have a strategy and focus.
This is why I like what Groundswell’s doing – giving employees at companies the opportunity to choose where they want to give. They make the process very easy and give donors empowerment.
Sure, I'm losing control of the company match, and I'm also losing control of what employees give to – but I think that is better. Groundswell opens up more opportunities.
What, in your perspective, are some of the most critical issues that professionals in your industry should be working on in 2022? What are the specific trends, or what should be the primary focus for the coming year?
One thing I'm proud of is not only do we have company values, but we created values for philanthropy, and those have been a game changer. We've had to make the judgment call a few times on whether or not a potential nonprofit partner is aligned with our values, and that is okay. The reason I'm saying that is because transparency, internally and externally, is important. I have nonprofit partners thanking me all the time just for being honest if we aren’t aligned.
As Brene Brown says, "Clear is kind", remember don't waste anyone's time, just be clear and direct.
A lot of CSR professionals are incredibly intelligent, talented, well educated people, and yet, we don't know how to solve all the world's issues, we just don't. We tend to push nonprofits to “perform” and align to a brand’s KPI’s, but I don’t agree with that approach. We trust that our nonprofit partners are the experts in solving what they’ve set out to do. So we come up with shared goals and then give them full autonomy in where they spend the dollars we provide and trust that it will go to support impactful work.
We always love to share the Groundswell philosophy with the wider world whenever we can. Just recently, our CEO Jake Wood shared his insights over at Forbes, talking about why organizations should rethink their corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies and programs – and how, with this corporate philanthropy overhaul, they can establish a more cohesive relationship with their employees and nonprofit organizations.Here are some of the highlights from the article:
Corporate Charity Should Represent the Passions of the Employees
Traditionally, corporate giving efforts are driven by a handful of executives or corporate foundations. The efforts are often disconnected from the company and the employees that are supposed to be represented by the program. This, Jake explained at Forbes, results in an ivory tower situation.
“In its best form, corporate philanthropy is loosely aligned to a company's values, but often not to those of the company’s employees. In its worst form, it simply serves as a CEO vanity project.”
What corporate entities need to realize is that their employees have diverse perspectives and backgrounds. Some, if not all, of them want to find a higher purpose for the work that they do. Unfortunately, traditional CSR programs don’t often reflect that.
Most Nonprofits Don’t Get the Support They Should Be Getting
Jake also pointed out how the current system for corporate donations excludes some nonprofits.
“If employees who want to give feel left out by their corporation’s donation strategy, it’s even worse for the nonprofits meant to benefit from those matching programs. While the top 1% of nonprofits might have cracked the code, most have trouble getting in the door.”
There are a couple of challenges that nonprofits face, even for those who’ve already gotten their foot through the door.
- Nonprofits led by historically marginalized individuals or communities often find it difficult to even get the attention of executives or foundation staff.
- Even when they’ve been qualified and chosen, most nonprofits still need to go through a lot of processes before they can receive funds, which can either take a long time, or end up with the funds being undispersed.
Jake shares his experience as the CEO of the disaster-relief nonprofit Team Rubicon:
“I once received an email from a major Fortune 500 company eight months after a donation by an employee (in the prior year no less!). The email asked me to confirm receipt of the $75 donation and then to log into an obscure portal to upload proof of receipt so the company’s matching donation could be processed. What a hassle.”
Nonprofits end up chasing donations that are owed to them because of this inefficient processing, instead of focusing on delivering impact to the communities they serve.
Traditional Philanthropy = Low Employee Engagement
Employees are not as engaged in traditional, centralized philanthropy because this CSR can’t please everyone. Your ivory-tower philanthropy may please one or two people, but it will probably not resonate with everyone.Plus, the systemic approach to giving that companies do doesn’t often result in massive impact and changes. This can lead to employees seeing these efforts as lacking or unapproachable.Jake points to homelessness as an example:
“Solving homelessness at a macro level requires systemic solutions and massive policy changes, both of which could take years, if not decades. But employees riding to work on the subway care less about systemic solutions and more about ensuring that the human being sleeping on a piece of cardboard near the turnstile they step over each morning has a bed that evening.”
Decentralizing philanthropy would go a long way to achieving that. Sure, systemic changes are necessary, but making employees the “agents of change” in this regard can make them feel that their company’s philanthropy efforts are indeed going somewhere beneficial.
How Companies Can Decentralize Corporate Giving
Jake shared with Forbes the key steps to how companies can decentralize their philanthropy efforts:
- Provide a charitable giving stipend to each employee that they can direct to a charity of their choice on an annual basis.
- Have employees vote on a slate of charities chosen by leaders to determine which cause gets the company's contribution.
- Empower business resource groups, which are typically aligned around specific diversity elements, to make recommendations on charitable giving related to their interests.
With these steps, companies can generate meaningful impact in their communities through their employees.To read Jake’s full article, click here. Or if you want to learn how you can start changing your approach to corporate giving, talk to us here. Here at Groundswell, we help you give better.
Celebrate National Nutrition Month by Supporting These Nonprofits
National Nutrition Month is an annual nutrition education and information campaign in March created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. The campaign focuses on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound eating and physical activity habits.
Making wise food choices and being physically active are essential components of good health and wellness. During National Nutrition Month, registered dietitian nutritionists and other health professionals provide education and advice on how to keep up with your health. With their help, everyone can learn how to make informed food choices and create balanced meals that are both nutritious and enjoyable.
Donate to any of the organizations below using the Groundswell app.
List of nonprofits that support health and wellness for National Nutrition Month
The American Nutrition Association (ANA)
The American Nutrition Association (ANA) is devoted to educating and providing invaluable resources to nutrition professionals and health-conscious consumers alike. With the goal of helping people make informed decisions about their health and nutrition, ANA strives to provide evidence-based information, research, and services to those who seek it.
ANA also has a comprehensive website full of helpful information and resources that are designed to assist individuals in their journey toward a healthier lifestyle. The American Nutrition Association is a great resource for those who are looking to become more educated and empowered when it comes to their health and nutrition.
Table For Two (TFT)
Table For Two (TFT) is an international non-profit organization dedicated to reducing hunger and obesity, and promoting healthy and sustainable eating through its meal program. TFT works in partnership with a variety of institutions, such as schools, hospitals, and corporate cafeterias, to provide nutritious meals to those in need.
The program is designed to ensure that everyone has access to healthy, affordable meals, and to make sure that no one is left without a proper meal. TFT is committed to making a difference and creating a healthier, more sustainable food system that benefits everyone.
The Food Trust
The Food Trust is a national nonprofit organization that is committed to providing everyone with access to affordable, nutritious food and the knowledge they need to make healthy choices.
Through their work with communities, policymakers, and other national partners, The Food Trust strives to create and implement powerful programs that not only increase access to healthy food, but also provide opportunities for nutrition education and physical activity.
Wellness in the Schools
Wellness in the Schools (WITS) is a national nonprofit organization that is dedicated to improving the health and learning of students in underserved communities. Through working in collaboration with educators, communities, and organizations, WITS is able to provide comprehensive nutrition, physical activity, and wellness education to children in K-12 schools across the nation.
WITS is committed to creating a healthy and equitable school environment for all students, providing them with the opportunity to learn in an atmosphere of respect and safety.
Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK)
Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK) is a national nonprofit organization that is committed to promoting healthy lifestyles among students. Through nutrition, physical activity, and other health-related initiatives, AFHK works to create a safe and healthy school environment.
With the support of schools, families, and communities, AFHK strives to help students develop lifelong healthy habits. AFHK's mission is to provide resources, support, and education to help students achieve their full potential by living a healthy and active lifestyle.
Alliance for a Healthier Generation
The Alliance for a Healthier Generation works to reduce the prevalence of childhood obesity and improve the health and well-being of children across the United States.
The Alliance works with schools, families, and communities to provide resources, education, and support to promote physical activity and healthy eating habits. They engage and empower young people to make positive changes to their individual health and the health of their communities.
Harlem Grown
Harlem Grown is dedicated to bringing positive change to the Harlem and surrounding community. By providing education and access to fresh, healthy food, the organization works to empower youth and create a healthier and more equitable food system.
They partner with local schools, businesses, and community organizations to create a more sustainable food system that will benefit the community for years to come.
Wholesome Wave
Wholesome Wave is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of low-income Americans across the country. Through their innovative programs, Wholesome Wave works to increase access to fresh, healthy, and affordable food.
Their initiatives also include nutrition education and training, as well as the promotion of healthy eating habits and lifestyles. Wholesome Wave's mission is to empower people to make healthier food choices, and to ensure that all Americans have access to the freshest, healthiest, and most affordable food possible.
City Harvest
City Harvest is a nonprofit organization that works to reduce food insecurity in New York City. They partner with food donors, volunteers, and community organizations to rescue, collect, and deliver food to those who are hungry and in need.
City Harvest aims to ensure that no one in the city goes hungry, and their efforts have gone a long way in helping to reduce hunger in the city.
Feeding America
Feeding America is the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, working to provide food and resources to those in need. They partner with local food banks, pantries, and meal programs to ensure that everyone has access to the food they need.
Through education, job training, and health and nutrition programs, they strive to make a lasting difference in the lives of those around the country.
National Health Freedom Coalition
The National Health Freedom Coalition (NHFC) is a nonprofit organization that works to protect and support the rights of individuals to make informed decisions about their health. NHFC is dedicated to making sure that individuals have access to safe, effective, and affordable healthcare options.
They work with policymakers to monitor changes in healthcare regulations and to advocate for the right of individuals to make their own decisions about their health. NHFC strives to ensure that the public has access to the latest research and information about healthcare so that they can make the best decisions possible for their health.
Donate to any of these organizations using the Groundswell app.
Nonprofits to Support on World Cancer Awareness Day
World Cancer Awareness Day is an annual event on February 4th dedicated to increasing awareness of cancer and encouraging its prevention, detection, and treatment.
This day is coordinated by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) to highlight the global impact of cancer and to inspire people to take action against it. The day is marked by events around the world, including public awareness campaigns, screenings, and educational activities.
Organizations across the world participate in World Cancer Awareness Day by hosting events and participating in online campaigns to raise awareness about the disease. Some events focus on promoting the early detection of cancer through screenings, while others focus on providing education about the disease.
This list of nonprofits supports the research, prevention, and treatment of all types of cancer. Consider donating with the Groundswell app for World Cancer Awareness Day.
Support these nonprofits for World Cancer Awareness Day
American Cancer Society
Founded in 1913, the American Cancer Society (ACS) is dedicated to saving lives and creating a world with less cancer and more birthdays. It funds and conducts research, shares expert information, provides services and advocacy, and helps people take action to reduce the risk of cancer and its burden.
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health organization dedicated to fighting blood cancer. LLS focuses on finding cures and providing access to treatments for patients with leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, and myeloma, and improving the quality of life of patients and their families.
National Pediatric Cancer Foundation
The National Pediatric Cancer Foundation (NPCF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to funding research to eliminate childhood cancer. NPCF works to provide access to treatments and to improve the quality of life for children with cancer and their families.
International Myeloma Foundation
The International Myeloma Foundation (IMF) is the world's oldest and largest myeloma-specific organization. It provides education, advocacy, and support for patients and their families. IMF also funds research to find a cure for myeloma and to improve treatments and quality of life.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is a leading children's hospital dedicated to advancing cures and preventing childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. St. Jude is focused on providing the most advanced and compassionate care possible while finding cures through research and treatment.
Breast Cancer Research Foundation
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to finding a cure for breast cancer through research, education, and advocacy. BCRF funds research to discover new treatments, improve screening and diagnosis, and provide support services for patients and their families.
Colorectal Cancer Alliance
The Colorectal Cancer Alliance (CCA) is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to supporting those affected by colorectal cancer. CCA provides education, patient support, advocacy, and research to increase awareness, find a cure, and improve the quality of life for those affected by colorectal cancer.
MD Anderson Cancer Center
MD Anderson Cancer Center is one of the world's leading cancer centers and is dedicated to providing the best possible care for patients and their families. MD Anderson is committed to research and education to improve the treatment and prevention of cancer.
Movember Foundation
The Movember Foundation is a global charity dedicated to changing the face of men's health. The Foundation's mission is to stop men from dying too young and to help them live healthier and happier lives. Movember funds research and supports programs that focus on prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health, and suicide prevention.
Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to finding a cure for multiple myeloma and improving the quality of life for patients and their families. MMRF funds research to find new treatments and cures, and to better understand the disease.
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing research, providing patient support and advocacy, and creating hope for those affected by pancreatic cancer. PanCAN funds research and provides resources and tools to help patients and their families through diagnosis and treatment.
ZERO - The End of Prostate Cancer
ZERO - The End of Prostate Cancer is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to ending prostate cancer. ZERO funds research to find a cure for prostate cancer provides support and resources for those affected by the disease, and advocates for policy changes to improve prostate cancer care and outcomes.
Cure Childhood Cancer
Cure Childhood Cancer is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to funding research and providing education and support for children and families affected by childhood cancer. Cure Childhood Cancer funds research to find cures and new treatments and provides resources and support for families facing the diagnosis of childhood cancer.
Learn more about Groundswell
Groundswell is an affordable workplace giving program built for modern businesses. We give organizations the infrastructure and tools to make it easy to empower employees to support the causes they care about during moments that matter most.
Subscribe to our newsletter and reach out to our team to learn more about Groundswell.io. Donate to these organizations using the Groundswell app.
Nonprofits to Support for American Heart Month
American Heart Month is an annual observance in February that raises awareness about heart health and encourages people to take action to reduce their risk of heart disease.
During Heart Month, organizations, businesses, and individuals come together to promote heart health education and resources. Heart Month also serves as a reminder for people to get their blood pressure, cholesterol, and other health screenings.
By taking these preventive steps, people can reduce their risk of developing heart disease or having a heart attack or stroke.
Did you know?
A person dies every 36 seconds in America from heart disease, and globally it is the leading cause of death - with nearly 18 million deaths every year.
Although it is a leading cause of death, there are also steps to take to prevent or mitigate it - including regular physical activity, dietary improvements, and monitoring of blood pressure and cholesterol.
Support these nonprofits for American heart health month
There are a lot of charities working to combat heart disease, from research to preventative care to critical medical innovations and cardiac medical care.
They rely on the support from donors to help sustain and advance their essential work - consider supporting them today.
American Heart Association
The American Heart Association (AHA) is a non-profit organization founded in 1924 that is dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. It carries out its mission through research, education, and advocacy.
The organization provides information and resources on heart-healthy lifestyles, as well as funding for cardiovascular research and public health initiatives. The AHA is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and has a nationwide network of volunteers and supporters.
Mended Hearts
Mended Hearts is a non-profit organization that provides support, education, and hope to heart disease patients, their families, and caregivers. The organization operates through a network of chapters and support groups and offers services such as peer-to-peer visits, in-person support groups, and online resources.
Mended Hearts is dedicated to improving the quality of life for heart disease patients and helping them to reclaim their health and independence.
National Coalition for Women with Hearth Disease
The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease (NCWHD), now known as WomenHeart, is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about heart disease as the leading cause of death in women.
The organization aims to empower women to take control of their heart health through education, advocacy, and support. NCWHD works to educate women, healthcare providers, and the general public about the unique signs and symptoms of heart disease in women and the importance of early detection and treatment.
The organization also advocates for increased funding for research on women and heart disease and works to improve access to quality cardiovascular care for women.
Children's HeartLink
Children's HeartLink is a non-profit organization that works to improve pediatric heart care in developing countries. It achieves this by providing training and education to local healthcare providers, equipping them with the skills and knowledge they need to provide life-saving care to children with heart conditions.
Children's HeartLink also works to raise awareness about the importance of pediatric heart care and the impact it can have on children and their families.
Masonic Medical Research Institute
The Masonic Medical Research Institute (MMRI) is a non-profit medical research organization located in Utica, New York. It was established in 1958 with the aim of conducting and funding medical research to improve human health.
MMRI focuses on research in areas such as cardiovascular disease, neuroscience, genetics, and pediatrics. The organization has a strong reputation for its cutting-edge research and has made significant contributions to the advancement of medical science.
Pulmonary Hypertension Association
The Pulmonary Hypertension Association (PHA) is a non-profit organization founded in the United States in 1999.
It is dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by pulmonary hypertension (PH), a rare and life-threatening condition characterized by high blood pressure in the blood vessels of the lungs. PHA provides education and support to patients, families, and healthcare professionals, and raises awareness about PH.
The organization also funds research aimed at finding a cure for PH and improving treatment options for those affected.
The Heart Foundation
The Heart Foundation is a non-profit organization in many countries, including Australia and New Zealand, dedicated to fighting heart disease through research, education, and community programs. Its mission is to improve cardiovascular health and reduce the impact of heart disease.
The organization funds medical research, provides information on healthy lifestyles, and works to improve access to quality care for heart disease patients. The Heart Foundation also raises awareness about heart disease and its risk factors, and advocates for policies that promote cardiovascular health.
More about Groundswell
Groundswell is an affordable workplace-giving program built for modern businesses. We give organizations the infrastructure and tools to make it easy to empower employees to support the causes they care about during moments that matter most.
Subscribe to our newsletter and reach out to our team to learn more about Groundswell.io.
Nonprofits in Support of Ukraine
The Ukraine humanitarian crisis refers to the ongoing conflict and suffering in Ukraine, which has led to widespread displacement and need for assistance.
The conflict has caused significant loss of life and displacement, with over 1.4 million people being forced to flee their homes. The crisis has also had a severe impact on the economy, with many people struggling to access basic necessities such as food, shelter, and healthcare.
As winter weather deepens in Ukraine, and power outages from Russian attacks impact heat, electricity and other key infrastructure, nonprofits are working to help the millions of Ukrainians who continue to be affected by the conflict.
Whether those displaced within the country, those who have fled to neighboring countries like Poland, or those trying to stay in their homes, there continues to be a need for life-critical aid and protection services.
Humanitarian nonprofits continue to work tirelessly to support affected populations all across Ukraine and in neighboring countries, and donations are still needed to help sustain this important humanitarian response.
List of vetted nonprofit organization supporting humanitarian efforts in Ukraine
Razom for Ukraine
Razom (meaning "together" in Ukrainian) is a non-profit organization that supports democratic values, human rights, and social justice in Ukraine. It was founded in 2013, in the aftermath of the Maidan Revolution, with the goal of promoting transparency and accountability in government, and supporting civil society in Ukraine.
The organization works on a variety of issues, including promoting reforms to fight corruption, strengthening the rule of law, and defending human rights. It also supports projects that aim to improve the lives of ordinary Ukrainians, such as initiatives to promote clean energy, improve access to education, and support small businesses.
Direct Relief
Direct Relief is a humanitarian organization that provides assistance to people affected by natural disasters, poverty, and emergencies. The organization works to improve the health and lives of people in need by providing medical resources and aid, including medications, medical supplies, and health services.
Direct Relief operates globally, with a focus on supporting underserved and vulnerable communities. The organization partners with a network of healthcare providers and organizations to deliver aid and support to people in need. Direct Relief is a nonprofit organization that relies on donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations to fund its programs and operations.
Save the Children
Save the Children is a nonprofit organization that works to improve the lives of children around the world. It was founded in the United Kingdom in 1919, and today it operates in more than 120 countries. The organization focuses on providing education, healthcare, and emergency aid to children in need. It also works to protect children from abuse, exploitation, and violence, and to advocate for their rights.
Save the Children is funded by donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations, and it has been recognized for its transparency and effectiveness in using donations to make a positive impact on the lives of children.
Team Rubicon
Team Rubicon is a nonprofit organization that brings military veterans and medical professionals together to respond to disasters and emergencies. The organization was founded in 2010 by two military veterans, Jake Wood and William McNulty, who wanted to use the skills and experiences of veterans to help communities in need.
Team Rubicon deploys teams of volunteers to provide disaster relief services such as debris removal, search and rescue, and medical assistance. The organization has responded to a variety of disasters, including earthquakes, hurricanes, and wildfires, in countries all over the world.
In addition to disaster response, Team Rubicon also provides veterans with opportunities for ongoing training and development, as well as a sense of purpose and community. The organization has grown significantly since its founding and now has over 100,000 volunteers in its ranks.
Nova Ukraine
Nova Ukraine is a nonprofit organization giving humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine. Their goal is to raise awareness about Ukraine in the United States and to support them during the time of hardship.
The organization envisions aiding Ukraine in its recovery from social and economic crises and to build a stronger country aligned with democratic values.
IRC
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a global humanitarian aid, relief, and development nongovernmental organization. It was founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein to help refugees fleeing Nazi persecution. Today, the IRC provides assistance to people affected by conflict, natural disasters, and other emergencies. It operates in more than 40 countries around the world, delivering services such as health care, education, economic development, and protection to millions of people every year.
The IRC also works to promote the rights of displaced and vulnerable people and to lobby for more effective policies to address the root causes of conflict and displacement. The organization is headquartered in New York City and is governed by a board of directors.
International Committee of the Red Cross
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is a humanitarian organization based in Geneva, Switzerland. It was founded in 1863 by Henry Dunant, a Swiss businessman, and is the oldest and most respected organization of its kind.
The ICRC's mission is to protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence and to provide them with assistance. It does this through a variety of means, including providing medical care and supplies, promoting international humanitarian law, and working to protect and assist prisoners of war, refugees, and other displaced persons. The ICRC is an independent, neutral organization, and it operates in countries around the world, often in conflict zones or other areas of crisis.
Revived Soldiers of Ukraine
Revived Soldiers of Ukraine is a nonprofit focused on providing aid to the people of Ukraine in support of their fundamental human rights.
The organization coordinates rehabilitation services for Ukrainian army soldiers. Their work has saved the lives of many soldiers, giving them the resources to return to their family after having suffered injuries from war. Some soldiers return with life-changing injuries, having made the ultimate sacrifice of putting their bodies on the line to defend their country.
International Medical Corps
International Medical Corps is a global humanitarian nonprofit organization that provides medical assistance and health care to those affected by war, natural disasters, and other emergencies. The organization was founded in 1984 in response to the Armenian earthquake, and it has since provided medical care and other services in over 50 countries worldwide.
The International Medical Corps has a strong focus on training and building the capacity of local health care workers, and it works in close partnership with local organizations and governments to ensure that its efforts are sustainable and have a lasting impact. The organization's work includes providing primary care and mental health services, conducting public health campaigns and disease outbreaks, and supporting the development of health systems and infrastructure. International Medical Corps is headquartered in Los Angeles, California, and is a registered 501(c)(3) organization.
World Central Kitchen Incorporated
World Central Kitchen (WCK) is a non-profit organization founded by chef José Andrés in 2010. It aims to provide meals to people affected by natural disasters, hunger, and poverty, as well as to promote the use of local and sustainable food systems. WCK has provided millions of meals to people in need in countries around the world, including the United States, Puerto Rico, the Caribbean, South America, and Asia.
The organization works with local communities, partners, and volunteers to help communities recover from disasters and build resilience to future challenges. WCK also runs programs to address food insecurity and promote nutrition education, such as its "Plate of Nations" initiative, which brings together chefs and community leaders to celebrate local food cultures and promote healthy eating habits.
Nonprofit Organizations Supporting National Poverty in America Awareness Month
National Poverty in America Awareness Month is observed each January, which aims to recognize the severe conditions of poverty that many live in.
Nearly 40 million Americans are living in poverty, which manifests in different ways, from hunger and malnutrition to limited access to education, healthcare, and unstable housing.
The economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic pushed many Americans into poverty, and many families are having difficulty recovering, especially with the current levels of inflation and volatility in the economy. Many charities that support those in or on the brink of poverty are themselves struggling to keep up with demand, alongside rising prices for food and other basic services.
Explore these nonprofits on the frontlines of the fight to stamp out poverty and consider supporting their important work.
List of Nonprofit for National Poverty in America Awareness Month
Miriam’s Kitchen
Miriam's Kitchen is a non-profit organization located in Washington D.C. that works to end chronic homelessness by providing meals, case management, and other supportive services to homeless individuals in the community. The organization was founded in 1983 and is named after Miriam's daughter, who struggled with homelessness and addiction.
The organization operates a dining room that provides breakfast and lunch to homeless individuals every day, as well as a variety of other programs, including employment training, housing assistance, and healthcare services. In addition to its direct services, Miriam's Kitchen also advocates for policies and initiatives that aim to end homelessness and improve the lives of those experiencing it.
Compassion & Choices
Compassion & Choices is a national nonprofit organization in the United States that works to improve care and expand choice at the end of life. It was founded in 1987 as the Hemlock Society, and its mission is to provide information and support to people with terminal illness, their families, and caregivers.
The organization advocates for the legal recognition of medical aid in dying as an end-of-life option for mentally capable, terminally ill adults. It also provides services such as counseling and referrals to people who are considering medical aid in dying or other end-of-life options. Compassion & Choices works to educate the public and policymakers about end-of-life issues and to promote public policy that respects the rights and dignity of dying individuals.
Partnership to End Homelessness
The Partnership to End Homelessness is a non-profit organization that works to address homelessness in New York City. It was founded in 1987 with the goal of helping homeless individuals and families move out of shelters and into permanent housing.
The organization provides a range of services, including case management, job training, and education programs, as well as temporary housing and assistance with finding permanent housing. The Partnership for the Homeless also works to advocate for policies and programs that address the root causes of homelessness and to raise awareness about homelessness in the community.
Mobilize Love
Mobilize Love is a nonprofit who believes everyone should have access to basic human services and after-school programs.
The organization deploys a fleet of outreach trucks, each designed to serve the community in different ways. Among their fleet includes a Laundry Truck, Stage Truck, Food Truck, and Stories Truck.
Roca Inc.
Roca Inc. is a nonprofit aiming to reduce urban violence by helping the youth work through hardships and become contributing members of society. Their team is diligent in aiding people in their most critical stages of life between 17-24.
Their intervention model promises to reach hard-to-reach individuals by continuing to show up for them even after setbacks and relapses.
Horizons For Homeless Children Inc.
Horizons for Homeless Children is a non-profit organization based in Massachusetts that works to improve the lives of homeless children and their families. The organization provides early education and play programs to homeless children, as well as professional development and support to the educators who work with these children.
In addition to its education programs, Horizons for Homeless Children also provides resources and support to homeless families to help them secure stable housing and achieve long-term stability. The organization works with homeless shelters, transitional housing programs, and other organizations serving homeless families in Massachusetts to reach as many children and families as possible. Is there anything specific you would like to know about this organization?
Bayview Senior Services
Bayview Senior Services is a non-profit organization that provides a range of services to seniors in the Bayview neighborhood of San Francisco, California. These services include meals, transportation, social and recreational activities, and health and wellness programs.
Bayview Senior Services also provides assistance with housing, finances, and other daily living needs, and works to connect seniors with resources and support to help them maintain their independence and quality of life. The organization serves seniors of all income levels and backgrounds, and is committed to meeting the diverse needs of the seniors in the community.
Central Arizona Shelter Services
Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) is a non-profit organization that provides emergency shelter, food, and other services to homeless individuals and families in Maricopa County, Arizona. The organization was founded in 1984 with the goal of providing a safe and dignified place for people who are experiencing homelessness to sleep, eat, and receive basic services.
CASS operates several shelters in the Phoenix area, including the Men's Shelter, the Women's Shelter, the Family Shelter, and the Multi-Service Center. In addition to providing emergency shelter, CASS also offers a range of services designed to help people transition out of homelessness, such as case management, job training, and access to healthcare.
Bread For The City Inc.
Bread for the City is a non-profit organization that provides assistance to low-income individuals and families in Washington, D.C., including food, clothing, medical care, and legal and social services. The organization was founded in 1974 and has since grown to include three neighborhood centers in the city that offer these services to community members.
In addition to providing immediate assistance to those in need, Bread for the City also advocates for systemic change to address the root causes of poverty and inequality.
The Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis
Catholic Charities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis is a non-profit social services organization that serves the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. The organization provides a variety of services to people in need, including assistance with housing, food, and clothing, as well as counseling and support for individuals and families.
Catholic Charities also runs a number of programs specifically designed to help refugees and immigrants, such as language classes and job training. The organization's mission is to serve the community and promote social justice, and it is guided by the values of compassion, dignity, and respect for all people.
Filling in the Blanks
Filling in the Blanks is a nonprofit fighting childhood hunger. They provide children in need with nutritious meals on weekends. They use the help of volunteers to distribute food directly into the hands of hungry children.
The organization serves pre-schools, elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, camps, after school programs, and partner agencies. Filling in the Blanks was founded by mothers and community activists Shawnee Knight and Tina Kramer. They’ve delivered over one million meals.
Spotlight: Polaris Project
The Polaris Project is a nonprofit organization that works to combat human trafficking and modern-day slavery.
They operate both domestically and internationally, and their efforts include preventing trafficking, protecting victims, and pursuing traffickers through a variety of means such as public awareness campaigns, policy advocacy, and direct services for victims.
The organization was founded in 2002, and is based in Washington, D.C. They are known for their National Human Trafficking Hotline which provides a 24-hour toll-free hotline for victims of human trafficking and the public to report tips and receive services.
Combat human trafficking and modern day slavery
The Polaris Project has accomplished a number of things in its efforts to combat human trafficking and modern-day slavery:
- Operating the National Human Trafficking Hotline, which has received over 500,000 calls and identified over 25,000 potential human trafficking cases since 2007.
- Developing and implementing the "BeFree" textline, which allows victims of human trafficking to reach out for help discreetly.
- Advocating for stronger state and federal laws to combat human trafficking, and assisting in the drafting and passage of several pieces of legislation.
- Providing direct services to victims of human trafficking through their U.S.-based trafficking shelters and community-based services.
- Creating and maintaining the Human Trafficking Knowledge Portal, an online resource center for anti-trafficking professionals and the general public.
Polaris Project has been recognized for their work on human trafficking and has received several awards and honors over the years, including the State Department's Hero Acting to End Modern-Day Slavery award, and the Presidential Award for Extraordinary Efforts to Combat Trafficking in Persons from the White House.
Nonprofit Organizations Supporting National Slavery & Human Trafficking Prevention Month
National Slavery & Human Trafficking Prevention Month is dedicated to raising awareness about different, often hidden, forms of human trafficking and modern day slavery.
It is important to raise awareness and educate communities so that people are equipped to notice potential trafficking situations and report them to local law enforcement.
Human trafficking and modern day slavery are largely hidden. This social issue involves the exploitation of people for labor or services, often through coercion or manipulation.
During the month of January, learn about these issues and support the organizations that are working to prevent human trafficking and modern day slavery through education and awareness, and protecting survivors through safe response.
List of Nonprofits for National Slavery and Human Trafficking Preventing Month
Polaris Project
The Polaris Project is a non-profit organization that works to combat and prevent human trafficking, particularly in the United States. It was founded in 2002 and has since grown to become a leading organization in the fight against human trafficking.
The organization operates a national human trafficking hotline and provides support and services to survivors of human trafficking, including crisis intervention, legal assistance, and long-term support. It also works to raise awareness about human trafficking and to advocate for stronger laws and policies to address the issue. The Polaris Project is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has offices in several other cities around the country.
Verite
Verité is a nonprofit organization that works to promote fair, safe, and legal working conditions in the global supply chain. The organization conducts research, provides training and technical assistance, and works with companies, governments, and other stakeholders to address issues such as forced labor, child labor, and worker exploitation. Verité was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Massachusetts, USA.
It works in a variety of sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, mining, and construction, and operates in more than 25 countries around the world.
Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking
The Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking (CAST) is a nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles, California that works to combat human trafficking and modern slavery. CAST was founded in 1998 and has since then provided direct services to survivors of human trafficking, advocated for stronger laws and policies to address trafficking, and worked to raise awareness about this issue.
CAST provides a range of services to survivors of human trafficking, including legal assistance, housing, mental health counseling, and education and job training. The organization also works to educate the public about human trafficking and advocate for stronger laws and policies to address this issue. CAST has been involved in a number of successful campaigns to pass anti-trafficking laws and increase funding for services for survivors.
In addition to its work in the United States, CAST also supports anti-trafficking efforts around the world through partnerships with other organizations and coalitions. The organization is committed to working with survivors to end modern slavery and build a world where all people can live with dignity and freedom.
United Against Human Trafficking
United Against Human Trafficking (UAHT) is a non-profit organization that works to combat human trafficking and modern slavery. The organization was founded in response to the growing global problem of human trafficking, which affects millions of people around the world.
UAHT works to raise awareness about human trafficking, provide support to victims and survivors, and advocate for stronger laws and policies to prevent and combat this crime. UAHT also partners with other organizations, both in the United States and internationally, to coordinate efforts and maximize the impact of their work. If you would like more information about UAHT or human trafficking, I would be happy to help.
Free the Slaves
Free the Slaves is a nonprofit organization that works to end modern slavery and human trafficking. It was founded in 2000 by Kevin Bales and others with the goal of eradicating slavery worldwide. The organization works to rescue and protect people who are enslaved, and to help them rebuild their lives after they are freed.
It also works to prevent slavery from happening in the first place by raising awareness about the issue and advocating for policies that will help to combat it. Free the Slaves partners with local organizations and communities to implement its programs, and works with governments, businesses, and other stakeholders to address the root causes of slavery and human trafficking.
The Human Trafficking Legal Center
The Human Trafficking Legal Center is a nonprofit for survivors of human trafficking. The organization aims to fight for survivors in court through strategic civil litigation. This provides a strong tool to hold traffickers accountable.
Nonprofit Organizations Supporting Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday that commemorates the life and legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, near the time of King's birthday on January 15th.
The holiday was established to honor King's work in the civil rights movement, which included leading the historic Montgomery bus boycott and delivering his famous "I Have a Dream" speech during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a time to reflect on the progress that has been made in the fight for racial equality and to continue working towards a more just and equitable society. It is also a time to honor the contributions of all those who have worked towards creating a more inclusive and diverse world.
Dr. King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, and assassinated on April 4, 1968.
His legacy continues today, not just through a national holiday but importantly through the work of these nonprofits and countless others that continue to fight for racial equality and justice in America.
List of Nonprofits for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
The King Center
The King Center is a non-profit organization founded by Coretta Scott King in 1968 to perpetuate the legacy and ideals of her husband, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.
The organization is located in Atlanta, Georgia, and its mission is to promote a more just and peaceful world through nonviolence and education. The King Center is home to the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site and several other landmarks, including the Tomb of Martin Luther King Jr., Freedom Hall, and the King Library and Archives.
The organization also hosts educational programs and events, such as the Annual King Holiday Observance and Parade, to teach about the Civil Rights Movement and the work of Martin Luther King Jr.
Facing History And Ourselves Inc.
Facing History and Ourselves is a nonprofit organization that provides educational resources and professional development to teachers, students, and community members around the world. It was founded in 1976 and is based in Brookline, Massachusetts. The organization works to engage students in learning about history, particularly the Holocaust, and to encourage them to think critically about issues of racism, prejudice, and social responsibility. Facing History and Ourselves offers a range of resources and programs, including teacher professional development workshops, classroom materials, online courses, and student programs. Its mission is to help people of all ages develop the knowledge, skills, and values they need to be responsible and engaged members of their communities.
NAACP Legal Defense And Educational Fund
The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund (LDF) is a nonprofit organization that works to advance civil rights and racial justice through litigation, advocacy, and education. It was founded in 1940 as the legal arm of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), and it has a long history of fighting for the rights of African Americans and other marginalized communities.
LDF has played a key role in many of the most significant civil rights cases in the United States, including Brown v. Board of Education, which struck down segregation in public schools, and the recent case of Fisher v. University of Texas, which upheld the use of affirmative action in higher education. In addition to its work in the courts, LDF also engages in legislative and policy advocacy, and it runs educational programs to promote civil rights and racial justice.
National Civil Rights Museum
The National Civil Rights Museum is a complex of museums and historic buildings in Memphis, Tennessee, that document the history of the civil rights movement in the United States. The museum is built around the former Lorraine Motel, where civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated on April 4, 1968.
The museum is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the civil rights movement and exploring the ongoing struggle for racial equality in the United States. It features exhibits on the history of slavery, segregation, and the civil rights movement, as well as a memorial to Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders. The museum also hosts events, lectures, and educational programs to promote understanding and dialogue about issues of race and civil rights.
Southern Poverty Law Center Inc.
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is a nonprofit organization that is based in the United States. It was founded in 1971 by Morris Dees and Joseph J. Levin Jr. The organization is known for its work in monitoring and combating hate groups and other extremist organizations.
It also promotes civil rights and social justice through legal action, education, and public policy initiatives. The SPLC is based in Montgomery, Alabama and has a number of offices located throughout the United States.
STRIVE
STRIVE is a nonprofit organization and national leader in helping those facing the biggest societal barriers to employment obtain the training and support they need to build careers.
Their flagship program, Career Path, helps students with learning occupational skills and earn certifications that aid in earning employment.
National Black Women’s Justice Institute
The National Black Women's Justice Institute (NBWJI) is a research and policy organization that focuses on the unique experiences and needs of Black women and girls in the justice system. NBWJI works to eliminate racial and gender disparities in the criminal justice system and promote justice, equity, and healing for Black women and girls.
Some of the issues that NBWJI focuses on include police violence, mass incarceration, and reproductive justice. The organization conducts research, provides technical assistance and training, and advocates for policy changes at the local, state, and national levels.
Equal Justice Initiative
Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1989 by Bryan Stevenson, a lawyer and social justice advocate. EJI is based in Montgomery, Alabama and works to challenge racial and economic injustice, particularly in the criminal justice system. EJI provides legal representation to people who have been wrongly convicted, unfairly sentenced, or abused in state and federal prisons.
The organization also works to end mass incarceration, the death penalty, and excessive punishment in the United States. EJI has played a key role in advocating for reforms to the criminal justice system and in raising awareness about the issues it addresses.
Learn more about corporate giving with Groundswell.
The Guide to Being a Modern Philanthropist: Elevate Your Impact With Groundswell
This guide is intended to provide resources and inspiration for Groundswell users on how to donate to causes they care about. It provides tips to best identify and donate to charities that have a proven track record of impact. It also discusses how to think about geography and size when deciding where to donate, and explains the ways in which even small, recurring donations can have be powerful for charities working on the frontlines every day.
Groundswell can be your partner in your journey as a modern philanthropist. Your donations are a critical part of addressing society's myriad issues, such as poverty, education, healthcare, and environmental concerns. And giving to others is also good for you. It has been shown that people who donate to charity experience increased happiness and well-being compared to those who do not give. This sense of satisfaction comes from the knowledge that your actions are making a positive impact on the world and helping those in need.
Through Groundswell, you can easily add funds to your account, browse or search for charities, and donate in a matter of minutes. In this guide, we help demystify some of the questions you might have as you consider where, when and how to donate.
Six Tips to Becoming a Modern Philanthropist
Summary
- Pick causes and charities that align with your values: When deciding what you want to support, start by taking into consideration the people, places, or problems that you care about most.
- Understand impact through the lens of size & geography: The geographic reach of different charities' programs, and how large or small they are, can help as you determine what to support.
- Evaluate best in class charities: Learn how to assess not only the financial health of an organization, but also what questions to ask when looking at other impact metrics.
- Set a giving goal: Decide how much you want to give annually through Groundswell, and follow the simple steps to set up contributions to achieve that goal.
- Maximize impact through recurring donations: Simplify your giving and provide nonprofits with a steady stream of revenue through monthly, recurring donations.
- Optimize your giving through tax-efficient strategies: Leverage the versatility of Groundswell to reduce your tax burden through payroll giving, stocks contributions, and bunching.
1. Pick Causes & Charities that Align with Your Values
Your giving journey often is deeply personal, rooted in your own values and lived experiences. When deciding what causes you want to support, it’s important to start by taking into consideration the people, places, or problems that you care about most. Who or what do you want to impact? What cause is most aligned with that? Use that as a starting point to then find the charities best positioned to have an impact on what you care most about. Focusing on specific cause areas allows you to be more intentional about how you donate.
There are thousands of causes and more than a million nonprofits on the Groundswell platform that tackle challenges from all angles, from improving K-12 education or finding a cure for Alzheimer’s to reducing plastics in the ocean or protecting women’s rights.
After determining what causes matter most to you, it’s also helpful to identify the type of impact you are seeking to make. Are you interested in supporting organizations that are “on the ground” providing direct services or those doing longer-term, important policy and research work? That can help guide you in picking the charities that you want to donate to.
2. Understand Impact: Size & Geography
Where to donate
When deciding where to donate, it’s also important to determine where you want that impact to happen. For many people, where they give is closely linked to where they live – their local food pantry, homeless shelter, house of worship, or neighborhood school.
Others may want to focus their giving beyond where they live and donate to organizations that operate in certain regions or even other countries. There’s no ‘right’ answer - and many people choose to donate both locally and globally to a cause they care about. For example, you may want to support an organization that is both on the frontlines supporting refugees fleeing the conflict in Ukraine, as well as helping resettle refugee families near your town in the U.S.
Does size matter?
Similarly, there is no right answer for what size organization is best to donate to. Whether they are large or small, if they have a strong track record of impact and do not have a pattern of mismanagement of funds, they are worthy recipients of donations.
Many people want to donate to organizations that have a proven track record of implementing large-scale programs, or are on a strong growth trajectory, year over year. Larger organizations generally have shown their ability to receive larger amounts of funding, and in turn design and implement programs at a scale that have a greater impact towards the causes you care about most. But small organizations can also be extremely impactful - even if the radius or scope of impact is smaller. Although many of today’s social and environmental problems are massive in scale, the vast majority of nonprofits are tiny; indeed, most nonprofits in the United States are small, grassroots organizations - and 20% have annual budgets of less than $50,000. For smaller nonprofits, even the smallest donation on an annual or monthly, recurring basis can have a huge impact on their ability to sustain programs or even expand.
3. Evaluate "Best in Class" Charities
There are multiple ways to assess the quality of a charity; many ratings sites focus primarily on financial metrics, but it is equally important to assess not only how an organization is managing its funds, but also the quality of its work. And while a rating system like Charity Navigator can be helpful, it is important to know that no rating system is comprehensive. Groundswell offers an important starting point - we only feature organizations that are in good standing with the IRS and eligible to receive tax-deductible donations.
- Programmatic Impact: Understanding a nonprofit’s impact - through its programs and the populations that it serves - is an important way to evaluate its effectiveness in tackling the causes you care about. Many nonprofits provide details about programming approaches on their websites, including testimonials, photos, and reports detailing specific results. Keep in mind that understanding and assessing impact is highly qualitative - there is no clear ‘score’ - especially because what or who is being impacted varies across the thousands of nonprofits.
- Financial Management: Nonprofits, especially larger ones, are required to disclose details related to their financial performance annually – to include assets, revenue and breakdown of expenses in forms submitted to the IRS. Many nonprofits are proactively transparent about their finances and post audited financial statements and other reports on their websites. But financial data does not always tell a complete story. There may be important investments in fundraising staff, which two years later yield a windfall in donations that can be put towards programs.
- Advisories: Sometimes there are advisories based on pending or ongoing legal action. Groundswell works to monitor these advisories and remove any charities that it believes are acting improperly or mismanaging donor funds. We also remove any charities that have had their nonprofit status revoked by the IRS.
- Groundswell-curated Featured Causes: While many donors might want to do their own research, sometimes it’s far easier (and efficient) to put your trust in others. Groundswell’s impact team provides donors with additional inspiration, and has done the vetting work to determine cause-specific organizations that are well run and most importantly having a strong impact.
4. Aim High with a Giving Goal
You can use Groundswell’s calculator found under your Profile to set or edit your annual giving goal. This can be a flat amount, or a percentage of your annual salary. While estimates vary, a common range for giving as a percentage of annual salary is between 2-6%.
The good news is that with your Groundswell Personal Giving Account, you can easily set up recurring contributions to stay on track to meet your goals. It’s also important to maximize the matching offered by your company’s giving program, where applicable.
Your giving goal can help fund recurring donations, as well as account for unexpected events that you may want to donate to.
5. Level Up with Recurring Donations
Recurring donations can be a great component of your philanthropic strategy. As a bonus, there are benefits for both donors as well as nonprofits.
For donors, setting recurring donations to autopilot every month or quarter means you don’t have to think about it or go through the steps to do it on a regular basis.
Put simply, it’s a smart use of your time. It is also a symbol of a donor’s commitment to a cause, and a belief in the nonprofit’s ability to have a positive impact - not just in a moment of crisis, but on a continuous basis. Groundswell’s recurring contributions and donations features help facilitate recurring giving.
For charities, recurring donations provide a steady, predictable stream of revenue that helps with budget planning. For many organizations, large or small, recurring donations can have a huge impact. Similar to the trends in grassroots political fundraising, having many small-dollar donors is good for nonprofits.
It helps them build awareness and shows to the larger-dollar donors that there is a community that believes in the nonprofit’s mission. It also helps de-risk; nonprofits with one or two large donors and very few small-dollar donors can run into major problems if any of those large donors stop supporting their work.
6. Optimize Your Tax-Efficient Giving
You can leverage the versatility of your Groundswell Personal Giving Account, which is underpinned by a Donor-Advised Fund, to be strategic and reduce your tax burden.
Donate appreciated stock
If you have appreciated stocks that you've held for more than a year and you donate them through your Groundswell account, you won't have to pay capital gains tax on the appreciation when those shares are exchanged for their market value.
Plus, you'll be eligible for a tax deduction for the full fair market value of the stock at the time of contribution into your Groundswell account.
Give with payroll
You can leverage Groundswell’s Payroll feature to make giving more tax efficient. Contributions to Groundswell through payroll deductions are eligible for an immediate tax deduction for the amount contributed. This means that your taxable income for the year is reduced by the amount of your contribution. Contributing on a recurring basis via payroll also makes it easier to “set and forget” and achieve your giving goals more efficiently.
Bundle contributions
You can also take advantage of the Donor-Advised Fund structure of Groundswell to make a larger contribution in a single tax year and maximize tax benefits by itemizing deductions in the year that the larger contribution is being made - commonly known as “bunching.”
For example, if you typically give $5,000 to charity each year but decide to give $25,000 to your Groundswell account in one year, you can itemize your deductions that year and take the standard deduction in the following years. By doing so, you may be able to minimize your tax burden over time while still supporting the charities you care about.
Want access to other toolkits like this?
Corporate giving programs aim to empower employees and help companies facilitate and support philanthropic efforts. As global access grows and corporations become more diverse, employee representation becomes an increasingly important subject.
Groundswell enables companies to lay the foundation for their employees to adopt a generous giving attitude towards charities and world-shaping efforts.
The Science of Giving: Why Do People Donate to Charity?
It’s easy enough to give away that old sofa stashed in the corner of your garage. But why do people donate to charity? What causes you, or anyone else, to send a $100 check to a foundation or spend an evening tutoring underserved youth? We have dozens of sayings about giving. Do good and good things will happen to you. To whom much is given, much is expected. I can’t do everything, but I can do something. There’s more, but the point is that giving is a part of the human experience. Without a doubt, for many people, it seems the right thing to do. People give because it feels good to do so. Americans are a particularly generous lot. In fact, 60% of us give money, 72% help strangers and 42% volunteer, often just because we are asked. And during the pandemic? Americans became even more generous. In 2020 and 2021, donations were higher than they were in 2019. The average donation per person was $574 in 2021.What’s more, there are undeniable psychological and scientific benefits that make donating important to the human spirit and will keep people giving generously into the foreseeable future.
The Science of Giving: What Happens in the Brain
For Americans, there are plenty of opportunities to spend money which, researchers admit, provide a dopamine hit. So it can be tempting to think that we’re just a purchase away from nirvana. But the accumulation of things is not the type of spending that makes a difference in our lives or the lives of others. We get more bang for the buck, so to speak, when we give to others. That’s because giving has a positive impact on the brain. It makes sense that our brains would reward us for helping to preserve society, releasing the same types of feel-good chemicals as during exercise. It is one of the evolutionary traits that has helped us build prosperous civilizations. In fact, in 2006, Jorge Moll and Jordan Grafman, neuroscientists at the National Institutes of Health, were able to measure the neural activity of giving, thus proving what we intuitively knew already. Subjects were allocated money that they could either keep for themselves or donate to selected charities. By tracking the impact on the pleasure centers of the brain, researchers discovered that the midbrain ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the subgenual area lit up when subjects donated the money. These are the same parts of the brain that light up when presented with a delicious meal or when talking about a romantic partner.
Why Do People Donate to Charity?
For years, there has been a philosophical discussion about whether or not charitable giving is altruistic. Do people give their money and donate their time just for the purpose of doing good, expecting nothing in return? Psychologists and philosophers argue that because charitable acts lead to feelings of happiness and satisfaction, true altruism does not exist.But many people consider this argument flawed. When it comes to human behavior, there are many shades of gray. If a benefactor feels happier following an act of kindness, that doesn’t mean that the motivation is self-serving.
Altruism
Altruism is a hallmark of cooperation. Cooperation underpins our society and is, in part, what separates humans from animals. Why do people donate? Because it feels good. Our society is built on the values of empathy, compassion and solidarity, among others. People give because doing so fosters a sense of belonging and generates meaning and purpose in their lives. There are other good outcomes, as well.
Giving May Help Depression
It’s pretty obvious that giving makes people happier. Michael Norton, professor of psychology at Harvard and co-author of the book, “Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending,” agrees. “When we tell people ‘Hey, did you know that giving to other people can make you happy?’ Most people are not blown away. They’ve had experiences that make them happy. They understand the concept, but it doesn’t occur to us that often to give instead of getting stuff for ourselves.”If you’re assuming that depression is not a major factor in your company, don’t be so sure. According to a July 2021 survey by SilverCloud Health, approximately two-thirds of U.S. workers suffer from clinical levels of depression or anxiety. Depression may mean that employees exhibit a high rate of absenteeism and fall short in key areas of performance, including decision-making, focus and communications. When an employee is depressed, it can have a devastating effect on the workplace. Depression is generally accompanied by a decline in how an individual views themselves. It may seem intuitive for those suffering from depression to attempt to bolster their self-image by focusing on, for example, getting others to notice their positive qualities. But researchers found that goals centered around self-image will likely make matters worse. Alternatively, they found that the pursuit of compassionate goals, that is, helping others, seems to alleviate the symptoms of depression and improve personal relationships. Perhaps that’s because helping others puts one’s own life into perspective and generates a more optimistic outlook.
Giving Increases Longevity
Charitable volunteering could even increase your lifespan. A classic study published in the Journal of Health Psychology concluded that elderly volunteers had a 44% lower mortality rate within the next five years after controlling for health habits, social support and other factors. According to researchers, prosocial spending or spending money on other people (which includes charitable donations) can even lower blood pressure and reduce inflammation, both risk factors for a number of health conditions.
The Charitable Brain and Your Corporate Giving Programs
According to Michael Norton, automatic withdrawals may not be enough to engage your employees. “(Automatic withdrawals are) not going to have as big an impact on my life as if I’m thinking about who I’m giving to and why I’m giving to them and the impact that I’m having.” When you understand how and why charitable giving makes people happy, you can leverage this information to make your corporate giving program one that will not only engage and delight your employees but accrue benefits to the company and to the broader society as well. The best programs align with corporate values and help employees establish habits that facilitate giving in a memorable and meaningful way. Certainly, it makes sense for companies to implement programs that are easy to administer. But they must also ensure that employees are involved in selecting charities, auditing themselves, managing their giving targeting, tracking the good deeds of the non-profits and maybe even volunteering. With a properly executed corporate giving program, companies can realize the many benefits that such a plan has to offer to its employees and to the communities it serves. At Groundswell, we can help you give your corporate giving program a whole new look and feel and make it a pillar of your compensation system. Contact us for more information.
From Dock to Dish: A Deep Dive Into Seafood Sustainability
This week we dive into an interview with Wendy Norden, Director of Science and Global Strategies at Seafood Watch Program at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, discussing the interconnected depths of consumer buying, aquaculture, climate change, and economics of seafood.Celebrating seafood sustainability is a cause bigger than itself affecting human populations around the world as much as the species we fish and farm, and a cause that Meg Vandervort of Groundswell is particularly passionate about. Meg sat down with Wendy Norden from the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch Program with questions to help all of us non-marine biologists understand the challenges and successes surrounding sustainable seafood. Wendy spent years working underwater as a marine biologist and researcher, before moving to New Zealand and working in a government role overseeing their seafood industry. For the past twelve years, Wendy has been with the Monterey Bay Aquarium and is currently the Director of Science and Global Strategies for their Seafood Watch Program, responsible for the overall scientific integrity, vision, innovation, and direction of the program. She’s also in charge of maintaining global strategic direction and partnerships that support global fisheries and aquaculture improvement.
Welcome! In celebration of World Oceans Day this year, I’m excited to dive into a topic near and dear to me—seafood sustainability. I’m a huge fan of Monterey Bay Aquarium and have been following the Seafood Watch program for some years now. For those who aren’t as familiar, can you give a brief overview of what Seafood Watch is doing to advance healthier oceans?
Wendy: Sure, and of course. Seafood Watch provides the information needed to make better choices at the supermarket, and we'll work with business partners to really source seafood and see that it’s more responsibly done. And it really boils down to very difficult subject matter into a guide, like red, yellow, and green, knowing what to source and also knowing that you know, consumer choices really do matter quite a bit. You know, that also has very broad reaching applications as well. So when consumers make choices in the United States, our business partners kind of come to the table—they want to source those seafood products that the consumers are looking for and also to make a better planet as well. But on top of that, it also gives producers around the world an idea of where their product is in terms of sustainability. And it is a big landscape, right, from really great production to really poor and everything kind of in between. So, we provide that information that helps guide purchasing but also helps industry understand about sustainability in order to make change and make things better, because our goal really is about celebrating seafood, making the right choices, and hopefully improving the rest.
That’s wonderful! I’m actually curious to learn a little bit more about you. We always love to highlight the people behind some of these amazing movements that are happening, but can you give us a brief history or your journey to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, Seafood Watch program, and have you always had a passion for the ocean growing up?
Wendy: It’s a very winding path. Growing up I got into scuba diving. Before college, I worked several jobs and saved a lot of money because I wanted to travel, so then I went to New Zealand, Australia, and Fiji as a young person. When I went scuba diving in most of these places for the first time, I did not realize at that point that it could be a job, like you could actually do this kind of work. The minute I came back home, I officially got advanced certified and I enrolled in college to really be a marine biologist. Everyone told me at that point, “that's nice, you'll never get a job”, but I was determined to do it anyway because I knew I’d figure it out. Throughout college, I had a lot of great internships, and I did a lot of work underwater. I got more experience doing research, but I wanted to do more. I ended up moving to New Zealand for several years, and I got a really great job working for the government working on a program to reduce bycatch, and I actually worked on the observer program for the whole country. That really helped me understand how to work better with the industry, how to set goals that maybe people didn't agree with, but learned how to actually work together. That and science, plus understanding what to actually call it, really helped me. With that experience, I ended up working in academics for a while. When I got to Seafood Watch, all that experience helped me understand how to apply science in an understandable way—how to work with the industry, knowing that you might be at odds at some point, but you actually all want the same end goal as well. It really helped me set up my career, and I’ve been with Seafood Watch for almost twelve years now. It’s been a very exciting journey. I learn every day—something different, something new—and I have amazing partners.
That’s exciting! Sounds like a dream job.
Wendy: Yeah, I feel really lucky. I never get bored. I find I'm amazed at the people that I meet all the time because I travel—or I used to before COVID— all over the place, talking to people about seafood, working with producers, understanding where everyones’ values are. At the end of the day, everyone wants to do a good job for seafood sustainability.
You touched on something that leads me to my next question about seafood sustainability in general, which is that it's actually an extremely complex thing, and it's not so cut and dry, like just buying from the local fisherman, or don’t eat fish.
But between sustainable fishing practices, aquaculture and the seafood supply chain – it's a lot to wrap your head around. What would you say for someone who's just getting into understanding this topic? What is the most pressing thing we can focus on?
Wendy: I feel like at any level, if you want to get involved, there's a place for you. I think if you really just want to, say, I want to understand the source of a particular seafood and I'm going to purchase responsibly, use our information. We boil it all down into very simple red, yellow and green. All of our reports and assessments are online, so if you want to dig a little deeper, you can read those assessments and understand the issues. There really is a place for any level of information you want, essentially, because we put it all out there. It's all out there publicly available. I think it really is important to know that the choices we make do matter at the grocery store. They do mean something. And they help us do our work and improve, because we want to celebrate seafood. We think eating seafood is a great thing. We want to have all seafood produced in a way that's sustainable and when I say sustainable, I mean the environment. I mean food security. I also mean things like better equity and supply chains. So, it really has to be good for people and the ocean.
Oh, that's so interesting. I'm also curious, from the general consumers’ perspective, a question that might come up is “should I potentially avoid buying a particular type of seafood?” For example, if I'm buying shrimp, is it more likely that it's unsustainably caught or has human trafficking attached to it?
Wendy: I go back to using our recommendations. The red is really what things you should avoid. Our hope is that red doesn't stay red. Our hope is not like you just abandon it and say, I'm not buying this again. But it does matter because when consumers don't buy something because it's red, that gives us a lot of incentives to go to the industry and say look, this is really what people are wanting. They want more sustainable products. That does go a long way. What we do in our reports is dig into those major issues. Why does it cause red? So we have standards that we develop from wild-capture and fisheries. We know scientifically why it's not sustainable, and it gives us the consumer demand. It really gives us that extra incentive for the industry to make those changes, which are also good for them. Any seafood product generally can be the best choice, farmed from any country that has a species—it's just a matter of us getting the right data, and us being able to say it isn't being done the right way. So the ability is there, like our green listing isn’t completely aspirational. It is doable, but it's a high bar. Everyone can actually get there. And that is our goal: To push the entire industry and have a much more sustainable industry overall.
On a brighter note, what are some of the bigger recent accomplishments that the Seafood Watch program has had that maybe people don't know about?
Wendy: Well, I think a big one that we haven't talked about enough is our development of our improvement verification platform, which doesn't sound very exciting, but it really is. We have developed the technology with partners to collect data efficiently and quickly on a farm and then scale it up to a region to understand. We actually can assess thousands of farms and in little time spent, get them to that green level. That has not happened in the past. We've developed technology that basically works online or offline and collects data efficiently and quickly, and then we scale it up to a region so you can have more scalable change. It also identifies areas needing improvement. We already have 2,000 shrimp farms going through the system that are green. To me, that's a huge accomplishment that's taken us a long time to develop. Very exciting. We also have recently launched aquaculture governance indicators, which again doesn't sound exciting, but it is because we have developed these indicators. We don't really know what makes really good aquaculture governance structures. What do you need to have? What are the key elements? We worked on developing those key elements to help the governance structures, and it isn't just about legislation, it's about how the industry is formed, and how reactive it is to change and how adaptable it is that the system in place in a country or region that allows for good things to happen allowing for sustainability. Understanding those underlying conditions and what gets in the way of sustainability is super important, because it isn't as simple as saying, here's a checklist. There's a reason why that isn't happening. And it could be infrastructure, it could be poverty, it could be too many illegal things happening. It could be many different things. It helps us understand underlying conditions that exist. A third one I'll just briefly talk about, one issue, is why use antibiotics for aquaculture? And that’s spread across every production system from farm salmon, shrimp, tilapia, you name it. We convened a large working group of fifty people from over twenty-one countries in the last year with the World Bank and came up with the key areas of impact on antibiotics, because we still don't even know that necessarily. What are our key recommendations going forward about what we think we should do, and how do you actually make sure the antibiotic issue doesn’t get out of control? Because right now, with warming water temperatures, you're gonna have more disease, more need for antibiotics. And in poor countries, you often don't even have labels on bottles for these things. Some people don’t really know what they're putting in their ponds. We are going to be launching our key recommendations very soon on that government and industry and then we're also doing a series of workshops to talk to farmers directly and find out what their needs are.
Wonderful, thank you so much for your insight and time, Wendy!
For Seafood Watch’s consumer guides to buying sustainable seafood that Wendy mentions, you can find them at SeafoodWatch.org.Log into your Groundswell Personal Giving Account to support Monterey Bay Aquarium and the Seafood Watch Program.
How To Become a Philanthropist: 7 Steps To Change the World
If you’re wondering how to become a philanthropist, it’s easier than you think. Anyone can do it and, contrary to popular belief, it’s not just for the wealthy. Make no mistake about it: Humans are social creatures. We love to help one another. That’s why philanthropy is so popular. It’s a feel-good activity that improves our world. And the benefits far outweigh the costs. Before you start contributing to worthy causes, however, it helps to understand the options available to you. You’ll want to make good decisions so that you maximize the impact you want to make in the world. No worries, either, about how much — or how little — money you have. All you need is a vision and a plan.
What Is Philanthropy?
A philanthropist is an entity, either a person or a corporation, that provides time, money, or resources — and perhaps all three — to people or nonprofits in need of assistance. The overarching goal is to make lives better for others (or the world we inhabit). Philanthropy is often associated with large sums of money and wealthy people. But, as mentioned, philanthropists can be any person or entity. Even a tiny business can be philanthropic.Some philanthropists rise to rockstar status and are known for their generosity. For example, Warren Buffett, Melinda Gates and Oprah Winfrey are just a few among the mega-rich who have given large sums and had an impact on important social and environmental issues. But you don’t have to be a millionaire, and indeed - many nonprofits are supported by hundreds of thousands of people who give modestly. Even a relatively small donation - alongside hundreds of others who also are giving a small amount - can add up to hugely impactful levels of support for nonprofits working to support communities in need.
What Philanthropy Looks Like
Philanthropy can take a number of forms. These include, for example:Money: Donations may be one time only or on a regular basis. Philanthropists may also bequest money after death or establish a trust.Time: Those who don’t have money to donate or prefer to contribute in other ways can donate time and labor. Examples include volunteering at a homeless shelter or tutoring students after school. As with monetary donations, these can be one-time, yearly or more frequent contributions. Many small, community-based nonprofits are dependent upon the generosity of their volunteers’ time to extend the impact of their mission.Resources: These donations, known often as “in-kind,” include furniture, vehicles, food, clothing, toys, computers, etc.
Benefits of Changing the World With Philanthropy
It may seem to be a cliche, but the benefits of philanthropy are immeasurable for those donating time, money or other resources:
- Lends perspective: Philanthropy heightens your sense of connectivity to the world and the things that really matter.
- Better health: Your mental health and physical wellbeing both improve when you give back.
- Lower stress levels: Volunteering has been proven to lower stress and enhance feelings of well-being by releasing dopamine.
- Tax reductions: Donations may be written off on personal taxes.
- Social interaction: Volunteering can offer opportunities to network and meet others who are committed to similar causes, and connections can be formed among a group of donors providing financial support.
- Improved skill set: As a volunteer or a donor who has researched the causes that nonprofits are working on, you will learn new skills, both hard and soft, and improve your leadership acumen.
How To Become a Philanthropist
As with any good strategy, you’ll need a road map to get to your final destination. Follow these seven steps to become a philanthropist:
1. Clarify Your Goals
Before you decide where to put your time and effort, you’ll need to understand what’s most important to you. What do you value? Where can you make a difference? What would feel good to do? Include your personal or professional goals such as expanding your network. Whether it’s working for climate change or helping your community’s underserved population get the resources they lack, make sure that you feel passionate about the issue.
2. Determine Your Commitment
Before you decide what to do, you need to determine how to do it. Do you want to give money or time? If it’s money, what can you afford? If you plan to volunteer, how much time do you have? When can you volunteer?
3. Choose Your Organization
Once you know the type of commitment you can make, research and vet organizations. Do they align with your mission and values? Where do they work? If you know you want to focus on homelessness in your community, determine if the organization is serving the homeless population in your city. Most organizations share information about their programs, their leadership and how they use their charitable donations. If you have questions, ask. The organization should be transparent and credible.
4. Check With Your Company
Before you completely nail down a target nonprofit, check out the support your company may offer – whether that be a match or volunteer opportunities.
5. Establish a Plan
Based on the causes you care about, the resources you want to commit to and the organizations you want to support, determine your giving cadence. For many, setting up recurring, monthly donations means you can ‘set it and forget it.’ But you might also want to consider setting aside some funds for donating during an emergency - whether it's a hurricane on the Gulf Coast, the war in Ukraine, or a social justice issue.
6. Stay Engaged and Curious
Find your community, and learn about other organizations that are doing important work in support of the causes you care about. You might find that in order to tackle an issue that you’re passionate about, multiple organizations are needed to make change. You can create social connections in-person or online to discover more organizations.
7. Trumpet the Cause
Now that you’re a practicing philanthropist, tell others about the organizations you support and why. They may be inspired to help or to find a cause of their own.
Have Fun With It!
Philanthropy is something anyone can do. Whether you donate time or money, it offers great benefits and improves the lives of others. Find the organization or cause you want to support and go for it. It’s a fun and easy way to give back to the community and expand your horizons.If you would like to know more about a corporate giving program, contact Groundswell. We can help turn philanthropic giving into an essential employee benefit.
Donor-Advised Fund vs. Private Foundation: What's the Difference?
Donating directly to a charitable organization might be the simplest way to give, but there are also various philanthropic vehicles available for minimizing taxes and maximizing impact. Two of the better known structures are donor-advised funds (DAF) and private foundations.
Donor-Advised Fund vs. Private Foundation
While there are 1.4 million registered public charities in the United States, less than 1% are donor-advised funds. Likewise, private foundation numbers, at around 90,000, are relatively modest. The impact of these nonprofit organizations, on the other hand, can be considerable. Here are the key differences between donor-advised funds and private foundations.
What Is a Donor-Advised Fund?
The donor-advised fund (DAF) is a tax-advantaged personal giving account established at a public nonprofit sponsor organization. The account is opened in the donor’s name and contributions are made to the organization(s) chosen by the donor. That might be a charity, but it could also be a university, religious foundation or financial institution. DAFs are enjoying unprecedented popularity with donations jumping by 27% since 2019. Giving from DAFs topped $34.67 billion in 2020, with the five largest — Fidelity, National Philanthropic Trust, Schwab, Vanguard and Silicon Valley Community — accounting for $24.5 billion alone. That said, the size of the average fund is a lot less, at around $150,000. Donors can gift cash, stock, real estate or other assets to a donor-advised fund. Traditionally, DAFs have been viewed as a tax-efficient way to give over a longer period of time without any annual obligation to distribute funds (thus the nickname “zombie philanthropy”), but now Groundswell is empowering corporations to unlock the advantages through our Philanthropy-as-a-Service platform. Whereas DAFs have conventionally been the preserve of the ultra-rich and brokerages, we’re offering access starting at $1 million (the lowest minimum contribution in the industry) to help employees with meaningful giving that benefits communities.
What Is a Private Foundation?
A private foundation, on the other hand, is a legal entity established solely for charitable purposes. Usually launched as a family or organization’s legacy initiative, the private foundation is a long-term project whose influence can spread worldwide. That’s certainly true of three of the biggest three: the Bill and Melinda Gates, Ford and Getty foundations. Private foundations are administered by a board of directors and can receive funds via real estate, investment assets or charitable donations. Unlike public charities, however, they usually derive their financial support from a single source, whether it’s a person, family or organization.
Key Differences Between Donor-Advised Fund vs. Private Foundation
There are a few important distinctions to note between the two, particularly when it comes to the overarching mission and vision.
Longevity
Most donor-advised funds are intended to support charitable giving during the philanthropist’s lifetime, although some do extend to a further generation or two. One of the criticisms of DAFs is that rather than distributing donations to non-profit organizations in need, they are used by the rich to “park” private wealth in a tax deductible fund. That’s not the Groundswell approach. Our platform is designed to establish a minimum annual distribution for DAFs to bring communities to life, not mothball zombie philanthropy funds. Private foundations, by contrast, focus firmly on the future legacy, and most are established as permanent entities that will outlive the founder.
Control
The board of directors (which can include the founder) manages a private foundation. For a DAF, the sponsor organization has control, although the donor may give their recommendation or advice on how grants are distributed.
Profile
Private foundations often celebrate a particular goal or set of values, so concealing the founder’s identity is rarely a concern. DAFs do offer confidentiality, so they are a useful vehicle for benefactors who want to support a charitable organization anonymously.
Establishment
There is a lower barrier to entry for donor-advised funds, some of which can be set up with as little as $5,000, although upwards of $100,000 is more common. Because all legal formalities are covered by the parent organization, DAFs are relatively easy to set up. By contrast, private foundations take longer to establish, and the legal, administrative and tax affairs require professional support. Private foundations usually start with funds of $10 million or more.
Tax Matters
Arguably the biggest difference between the two is in terms of tax regulation. For private foundations, the IRS dictates that a 5% minimum of net investment assets must be distributed annually in the form of grants or administrative expenses. To set up a private foundation, the founder(s) must apply for recognition of exemption under Section 501(c)(3) with the IRS, and will subsequently need to file detailed tax returns on board members’ compensation, fees and grants. All are a matter of public record. Donor-advised funds, on the other hand, do not require any annual grants to be administered but do offer immediate tax advantages, particularly if the donor is receiving a windfall, inheritance or revenue from a business or property sale. Neither do DAF donors have to file tax returns to the IRS, not least because ultimate control of the DAF is with the sponsor nonprofit organization.
We’re Here To Support Your Giving Efforts
Despite the “zombie” tag, DAFs are by no means evil by nature. In fact, they can be an effective way to drive meaningful giving that brings communities to life. To find out how we’re raising zombie philanthropy from the dead with an employee benefit that benefits the world, get in touch with us today.
Anna Malaika Tubbs: On Celebrating Black Motherhood, and Creating a Social Justice-Driven Portfolio
At Groundswell, we are privileged to talk to a wide range of individuals about philanthropy in all its forms. That is why we are so grateful to have had the opportunity to speak with New York Times best-selling author of The Three Mothers, Anna Malaika Tubbs. The Three Mothers shines a light on mothers Alberta King, Louise Little, and Berdis Baldwin, who raised and shaped Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X., and James Baldwin. The book celebrates their legacy and Black motherhood which has shaped much of American history. Anna believes in supporting philanthropic organizations that recognize the importance of motherhood, particularly for black women in America.
Thanks for joining us, Anna. It’s an honor to speak with you. You begin your book by outlining your personal tie to three very incredible mothers — Alberta King, Louise Little, and Berdis Baldwin — and how their history spans over the past century. That’s incredible. What ultimately led you to exploring these three incredible women in particular?
It was done out of curiosity, and it was a sort of elimination process, in the sense that I knew I wanted to do a project like Hidden Figures, Margot Lee Shetterly's book. I wanted to be a person who discovered other hidden figures; other black women whose tales we should have known all along but had been lost, erased, or hidden.
I had an amazing mother who was always talking about the significance of celebrating mothers and paying more attention to the crucial role that moms play in our society.
So I've always had this idea in my head that I'm going to do something about black mothers who should have been known.I wanted to focus on the civil rights movement because it comes up so frequently in our policy debates and other discussions. I whittled it down to these three since they were born within six years of each other, and their famous kids were born within five years of each other. This brought them together over time without reducing their complexity and diversity, while celebrating their differences; each chapter covers ten years of their lives.
What I think is so great about your book is your approach to research, and how you were so honest about what information you could find and what you could not. The absence of history is equally as important. That said, you talk about the erasure of Black Women in history, especially through the eyes of Alberta, Louise, and Berdis. Even through your initial research it was hard to nail down exact details like birthdays, and you say Berdis’s name wasn’t even listed in the US. Census. For those who are unaware, can you outline why this Is so important to explore this history and how it better informs us today?
The research process was really difficult, and I'd like to point out that this was also the subject of my PhD dissertation, so this is completely original research.
I needed to dig for every single detail that I uncovered, and even if I found a small nugget of information, I needed to push further to understand the context behind it.
Also, I needed to remember that a lot of what I was finding had been filtered via men, typically white men, who recounted these stories quite differently from how I would. So it was highly complicated, requiring a variety of procedures such as contacting local historians, searching census data, locating land deed, birth certificates, death certificates, and interviewing family members. I'm doing my best to fill in the blanks with information from documents I discover. But it is a reminder to us, first and foremost, of how we value various lives in different ways.
I like to speak about each of our lives as if they are puzzles, and certain puzzles we put together, frame, and hang, either on a mantel or on a wall, to treasure, marvel at, celebrate, and honor.
Then there are the puzzles that we just leave on the ground; every time we move, we leave some pieces in one house, we may throw them away, or the dog may chew on them; no one is ensuring that we retain this information, notice it, or care about it. So I was there, putting the puzzle pieces together.
What I believe is important is that we do this for more people; each story does matter, especially when we see how black women have contributed everything they could to the progression of this nation.
Unfortunately, we continue to disregard their lives, saying, your history doesn't matter, your contributions don't matter. As a result, we've arrived at a point where we don't understand what's going on in our country. We believe that all of these instances of sexism and racism, the intersectionality of the two, as well as the many other isms with which it intersects, occur at random or independently of one another, rather than as a product of years and years of devaluing lives.It's done through systems, regulations, and extremely strategic tactics to eliminate people in order to keep those puzzle parts scattered and concealed. So I simply want more of us to take on that project. I don't want this to be the only book about the three of them. I was declaring that they are worthy of study, worthy of celebration, and worthy of being on the cover of a book. Because what they deserve, in my opinion, was to be seen, celebrated, and honored.
Speaking especially of Alberta, Louise, and Berdis' stories, what surprised you when writing your book, and what was left out of their history?
When I first came up with the idea, I merely wanted to recognize them as individuals with their own interesting lives. I knew they'd be not just intriguing, but also valuable to our society in the ways they were generating life beyond their children through activism and creativity. I wasn't trying to argue that since Alberta [King] did this, Martin [Luther King] did this—I wasn't trying to emphasize the sons in that way. But every piece of information madethe relationship and connections so evident, they’re undeniable.Even if I didn't tell you their names and only described the women based on their passions and approach to fighting for freedom, you'd be able to connect them with their sons. Even if you only know a little bit about the sons.Those are the instances where it's surprising we didn't already know their names.
Moms affect their children in a variety of ways, and you can't dispute it in these three cases.
Because you almost had to work at separating them, it made the erasure even more infuriating. You must purposefully leave out the fact that they are linked. During the course of writing this book, I discovered that the sons did give credit to their mothers. So it's not really their fault; rather, it's those of us who have researched them and determined that they don't fit our racist patriarchal view of who matters. Those who have said, we'll leave that as a footnote but we're not going to center it in the way you believe it should be centered in the record.
You talk about how the media played a role in the erasure of these women’s stories, which essentially shaped what the narratives would become. How does this affect those that are intentionally being erased?
This is a fantastic segue for me to speak about my TED talk, because it's all about storytelling and how we follow the stories that we’re told and how our policy reflects that. In the TED talk, I address the way we talk about moms in the stories we share, not only on an interpersonal level, but in media and in literature. We thank moms for being selfless and putting everyone else's needs ahead of their own.
Moms themselves then believe they should be individuals who don't have their own needs and don't have their own identities.
That can be excruciatingly painful, frustrating, and confusing. It also expands on the stories we're telling in the media that don't highlight the contributions of mothers. We as a society believe that mothers are exclusively important in the domestic sphere, or we take those contributions for granted, or employers will try to fire mothers because they believe they are distracted, even though there is no evidence to support this.Then we see that when it comes to voting for policies that could actually help moms and provide them the support and resources they need for their important job, we can't get them passed because people don't seem to believe they're required. So, if you don't believe the role is important, or that it is easy, you're not going to vote for things like parental leave.We live in a country that does not value motherhood; we do not have affordable childcare, universal preschool, or even universal health care, all of which overlap with the role of motherhood. During the pandemic, we saw many women, particularly moms of color, leave their work because they had no other option. I do believe that a lot of that stems from our cultural understanding of motherhood; if more of us understood the essential nature of the job, stay-at-home moms, for example, what they do for all of us, not just for their children, but for all of us day in and day out, it would be easy for us to say, "Yeah, let's vote for those things. We need that," so I want us to see more stories that represent mothers accurately and their role more appropriately.
Out of curiosity, are you aware of any other cultures outside of America that properly values motherhood?
We've seen these rankings in terms of maternal health and motherhood happiness in the United States, which is really low when compared to other countries. We have a maternal health problem that is disproportionately affecting black women and women of color, but it also affects all women; women are dying at higher rates in this country. That is something that we should all be very concerned about.
Mothers are reporting higher levels of postpartum depression, they're burning out, they're exhausted.
They feel like there's something wrong with them, because they've been told they're supposed to take care of all of this, and then not be thanked for it. As if it's okay to be invisible.Sweden and other Scandinavian countries, for example, have models and policies that we may replicate in the United States. Scandinavia has a more homogeneous culture than the United States; we have a lot more diversity here. However, this does not preclude the adoption of universal parental leave or the distribution of baby boxes in the United States. In Sweden, for example, parents receive a package including the fundamental necessities that they will require when raising a child. That is something we could do in the United States. We could create daycare centers in companies so that if parents do return to work outside the home, they may bring their children with them to the same location, which would increase production for the entire company.
There are many bits and pieces and policies from other countries that I believe we can still apply to the United States, despite the fact that our population is considerably more diverse than that of most other countries.
What organizations would you include now in your own giving portfolio for advocacy work, particularly around motherhood?
The first one I think of is Black Mama's Matter. In the United States, black women, particularly black moms, are still considered as less than human beings. Their effort to build this alliance of people with diverse knowledge, backgrounds, and experiences to address the core causes of black maternal health and the black mother’s experience in the United States is critical.
I wanted to write about black mothers because the dehumanization is evident when you look at the relationship between our country and black mothers in the United States – mothers being refused basic treatment, denied human respect, and being treated with a lack of basic decency.
I also really love the work of the Young Women's Freedom Center. It's in San Francisco, and it works with women who have been impacted by various systems, such as incarceration or juvie. All of these other things that have locked our young women of color away and then blamed them for their experiences, rather than the systems that have pushed them to the margins and forgotten about them and tried to ignore them. Through working with the center, they can reclaim their identity and use their voice.Essie Justice Group is another. It is led by a friend of mine. We see that the cost of having a loved one in prison is quite high, and black women are spending a lot of their money paying into this mass incarceration system in the United States. Instead of addressing the various issues that lead to them being taken away and locked up, we continue to place that burden on the shoulders of black women. So anything that relieves that weight, anything that reminds us that this isn't just a black woman's problem to fix, but that it will affect our entire nation is work that I support and a message that I try to elevate.
If we can come together and really focus on the experience of black women, it will be beneficial to us all.
All of those organizations sound incredible. What is your process of finding which organizations to support around a cause?
I like to begin by asking why we want to talk about black women, and by discussing the legislation that has existed from the beginning of slavery and states that black women are the producers of property rather than the producers of life. It is important to understand that from the start, the idea that a black person's life begins as property is key to understanding the ills of our nation.That is what we want to examine, as well as how this concept about the life of a black person has permeated so many different systems. Then we'd want to know who the organizations are that are dealing with those various systems. So whether that's through tackling mass incarceration – which continues to say that these people are objects and not people, and we can control their lives and their lives matter less than other people's lives – or through thinking about the American gynecological system, and how it's based on experimenting on the bodies of enslaved black women.I’d ask: How is all that still playing out today? Who are the organizations that recognize black women as having been viewed as less than human? What are they doing now to fight for humanity? That's how I'd organize a portfolio.
For our last question, what advice would you give to someone who wishes to be a true ally, especially after reading your book?
That's a great question. When the topic of allyship comes up, I remember my mother, a white woman with black children.
She would approach me and say, "In this world, I have no idea what it's like to be a black girl or a black woman. And I'm not going to pretend I know; I'm not going to claim to understand your experiences. But what I can say is that I believe you are worthy of the same respect and dignity that everyone else is, and I will walk with you, learn with you, and do my best to make this world a better place for you."
I'm paraphrasing; these are not exact words; they are a compilation of lessons learned throughout the last 29 years of my life. But this was her general approach to things, and that's exactly what we're looking for in allies.We're not expecting somebody to say, "I know what it's like to be a black woman," because that's not the correct thing to say. Don't say anything like that. It's fine to recognize that your and mine experiences will differ in this regard. You may say "I feel you are entitled to be regarded as a human being and to have access to the same resources as I do. And I will do my part to help with that. And I will walk beside you and learn alongside you. And it shouldn't be much more complicated than that as a result of that mindset, there will be sacrifices. And I'm not going to pretend that I understand what it's like to be you." I believe it is an accurate summary. And perhaps, more individuals will feel at ease embracing that charge.
Night of the Living DAF: How Groundswell is Raising Zombie Philanthropy From the Dead
No one likes zombies. They’re noisy. They’re disgusting. Worst of all, they try to eat your brain.But perhaps the spookiest thing about them? They’re mindless. Zombies are automatons who amble along without thinking. Left to their own devices, they would go on like that, mindlessly, forever. Never changing, never helping, never improving.It is this critique of the undead that gets levelled at a form of charity dubbed zombie philanthropy. In this critique, the drivers of zombie philanthropy are Donor-Advised Funds (DAF)s. To quote The Washington Post:This is problematic. We’re in a world where there is no time to waste. There are too many crises facing our country and global community and it serves no one to have money sitting on the sidelines. At Groundswell we’re going to change that by building a platform that will better facilitate these funds and empower donors to make an impact quickly.
WTF is a DAF and who contributes to them?!
A Donor Advised Fund allows donors to put all of their charitable dollars into one single fund, receive an immediate tax deduction, grow those assets over time, and distribute assets to nonprofits of their choice at any given time. It was established in the 1930’s to handle charitable donor-advised fund contributions on behalf of organizations, private individuals, and families. Since then, DAFs have been primarily utilized by the ultra-wealthy. According to the 2020 Donor-Advised Fund Report, grants to qualified organizations from DAF accounts totaled $27.37 billion in 2019, up 15.4% from $23.72 billion in 2018. But considering there are over $140 billion in total assets squirreled away in DAFs, $27 billion is merely a fraction of the impact potential they represent.
Why Do DAFs (Sometimes) Become Zombies?
Donor Advised Funds are popular due to their ease of use. Donors typically struggle with deciding where to direct their philanthropic contributions, especially when large sums of low-value assets are contributed. Managing several beneficiaries while meeting a deadline might be difficult. As a result, one-stop-shop giving simplifies the philanthropic process.Why have DAFs become the target of “zombie philanthropy” accusations? The critiques typically go like this:
- Unlike with private foundations, there is no requirement for minimum distributions from Donor Advised Funds. As a result, investors routinely deposit significant amounts of equity or cash in those accounts with no need to distribute them right away. This means that a DAF’s capital can sit static for years or decades, and never actually reach a nonprofit.
- This is particularly worrisome at a time when nonprofits need funds urgently, not in a distant future.
- Some individuals use DAFs primarily for income tax reductions, balancing their tax bill with their giving, so that the upside, like capital gains, is neutralized. Others use DAFs to pass on money to their offspring, once again with minimal taxes.
With DAFs, people can sidestep learning about the best causes in place of simply dumping the money in a pot on the advice of someone else.We recognize these critiques. Any tax instrument can be manipulated depending on a user’s intentions (we’re looking at you, Peter Thiel). However, we don’t believe DAFs are inherently evil and are instead breathing new life into the zombie philanthropy model.Groundswell reaps the benefits of DAFs without the downsides. And we believe that this approach can be scaled to reach any prospective donor, not just the ultra-rich.
How Groundswell is Raising Zombie Philanthropy From the Dead
Groundswell is built differently.Legacy DAF providers also happen to be massive asset managers. No wonder their platforms are designed to keep money in the DAF, and not move it out to charity. In fact, it’s in their best interest for it to play out that way.However, Groundswell is built to move money as efficiently as possible out of the system and into the hands of charities.The objectives of our platform are aligned directly with the goals of charities – including the goal of disbursing as much money as possible into the community. That’s probably because we were founded by a former nonprofit executive, a key difference in Groundswell vs. the competition.We have no beef with DAFs and not every DAF fund is a zombie. The fact is, when funds are transferred to a DAF, they will eventually finance a program sponsored by the donor, though it may be slow and delayed funding means delayed impact.As we already mentioned, we believe that Donor Advised Funds are not inherently evil – even if they are exploited by a large number of ultra-wealthy individuals and fail to generate as much good as intended. In principle, DAFs can be powerful but, like everything else, they must evolve.That’s why Groundswell is supportive of recent talks aimed at reforming Donor Advised Funds to include, among other things, a minimum annual distribution. DAFs, built and leveraged appropriately, can bring massive efficiencies to the nonprofit sector and the giving of ordinary Americans.So instead of allowing these legacy Donor Advised Funds to shuffle around mindlessly like zombies, let's build an alternative like Groundswell that breathes life back into the Donor Advised Fund and democratizes philanthropy for the 99%.
12 Employee Benefits Survey Questions Modern Companies Should Ask
In today's business environment, having the right and highest performing talent is more critical than ever. With benefits packages playing a vital role in these decisions, how can companies truly gauge their effectiveness? By initiating regular employee benefits surveys.
Scroll down for a free survey template below.
Let's dive in to the importance of asking the following questions.
Is our workforce satisfied with the current employee benefits package?
Gaining insights from "how satisfied are you with our company’s benefits package?" can offer companies a quick pulse on the effectiveness of their benefits. A dip in satisfaction might signal a need for re-evaluation, especially if you're looking to maximize your budget.
How comprehensive are the employee benefits we offer?
Do employees feel that the organization covers a wide range of their needs? Asking, "do you feel our benefits package is comprehensive in its offering?" can shed light on any potential gaps in coverage.
Are we showing true commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion through our benefits?
Are the company's efforts in promoting DE&I resonating? This can be gauged by asking if the benefits genuinely support diversity and inclusion. If they aren't, here's an opportunity to collect ideas directly from your employees.
Read more about how to make sure your giving program is equitable and inclusive.
Do our benefits reflect our company culture and values?
The question, "do you feel our benefits package supports our cultural values?" will highlight any potential discrepancies in practicing what you're preaching.
Did you know? Two-thirds of employees say it’s important for a company to align to their values.
Are we catering to the needs of a remote or multi-location workforce?
With remote work on the rise, is the company adapting its benefits accordingly? It's essential to find out if employees feel supported, regardless of their work setting.
Would employees recommend the company based on our benefits?
This is an easy one to skip, but it's a great question to ask. See how influential your benefits package is for employee referrals. Determining if employees would advocate for the company based on its benefits can be a key metric for recruitment.
How do specific benefit categories fare?
By querying satisfaction levels across various benefits – physical health, social impact, mental health, financial health, and fringe benefits – can companies discern which areas are thriving and which need enhancement?
What additional benefits do employees desire?
Is there a particular benefit that could make a difference in employee satisfaction and retention? Discovering this can be as straightforward as asking, "if you could choose one benefit not currently offered, what would it be?"
If your workforce desires a more meaningful benefit, see why decentralizing your corporate philanthropy strategy can achieve greater impact at scale.
How often should I send an employee survey about our benefits?
While every business has their own set of unique needs, conducing a quarterly employee survey at minimum can help you get a pulse check.
There will be some natural and unplanned peaks in valleys throughout the year that can drastically affect employee morale and company culture. By proactively seeking feedback through surveys, companies can foster a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring they remain at the forefront of employee satisfaction.
What are some affordable benefit options we can provide employees?
Corporate matching or giving programs can be a low-cost addition to your benefit offering that supports your employees’ unique passions and perspectives through charitable giving and boosts your company’s commitment to social impact. Groundswell offers a comprehensive solution with a simple implementation and nearly zero administration burden.
- How satisfied are you with our company’s benefits package?
- Do you feel our benefits package is comprehensive in its offering?
- Do you feel our benefits package supports our cultural values?
- Do you feel our benefits package supports our commitment to Diversity & Inclusion?
- Do you feel our benefits package supports our remote or multi-location workforce?
- How likely are you to recommend applying based on our benefits package?
- How satisfied are you with our physical health benefits (i.e. health care, sick leave, etc)?
- How satisfied are you with our social impact benefits (i.e. corporate matching, volunteering, etc)?
- How satisfied are you with our mental health benefits (i.e. vacation time, EAP, etc)?
- How satisfied are you with our financial health benefits? (i.e. retirement, student loan assistance, etc)
- How satisfied are you with our fringe benefits and perks? (i.e. fitness subsidies, stipends, etc)
- If you could choose one benefit not currently offered, what would it be?
The Guide to Being a Modern Philanthropist: Elevate Your Impact With Groundswell
This guide is intended to provide resources and inspiration for Groundswell users on how to donate to causes they care about. It provides tips to best identify and donate to charities that have a proven track record of impact. It also discusses how to think about geography and size when deciding where to donate, and explains the ways in which even small, recurring donations can have be powerful for charities working on the frontlines every day.
Groundswell can be your partner in your journey as a modern philanthropist. Your donations are a critical part of addressing society's myriad issues, such as poverty, education, healthcare, and environmental concerns. And giving to others is also good for you. It has been shown that people who donate to charity experience increased happiness and well-being compared to those who do not give. This sense of satisfaction comes from the knowledge that your actions are making a positive impact on the world and helping those in need.
Through Groundswell, you can easily add funds to your account, browse or search for charities, and donate in a matter of minutes. In this guide, we help demystify some of the questions you might have as you consider where, when and how to donate.
Six Tips to Becoming a Modern Philanthropist
Summary
- Pick causes and charities that align with your values: When deciding what you want to support, start by taking into consideration the people, places, or problems that you care about most.
- Understand impact through the lens of size & geography: The geographic reach of different charities' programs, and how large or small they are, can help as you determine what to support.
- Evaluate best in class charities: Learn how to assess not only the financial health of an organization, but also what questions to ask when looking at other impact metrics.
- Set a giving goal: Decide how much you want to give annually through Groundswell, and follow the simple steps to set up contributions to achieve that goal.
- Maximize impact through recurring donations: Simplify your giving and provide nonprofits with a steady stream of revenue through monthly, recurring donations.
- Optimize your giving through tax-efficient strategies: Leverage the versatility of Groundswell to reduce your tax burden through payroll giving, stocks contributions, and bunching.
1. Pick Causes & Charities that Align with Your Values
Your giving journey often is deeply personal, rooted in your own values and lived experiences. When deciding what causes you want to support, it’s important to start by taking into consideration the people, places, or problems that you care about most. Who or what do you want to impact? What cause is most aligned with that? Use that as a starting point to then find the charities best positioned to have an impact on what you care most about. Focusing on specific cause areas allows you to be more intentional about how you donate.
There are thousands of causes and more than a million nonprofits on the Groundswell platform that tackle challenges from all angles, from improving K-12 education or finding a cure for Alzheimer’s to reducing plastics in the ocean or protecting women’s rights.
After determining what causes matter most to you, it’s also helpful to identify the type of impact you are seeking to make. Are you interested in supporting organizations that are “on the ground” providing direct services or those doing longer-term, important policy and research work? That can help guide you in picking the charities that you want to donate to.
2. Understand Impact: Size & Geography
Where to donate
When deciding where to donate, it’s also important to determine where you want that impact to happen. For many people, where they give is closely linked to where they live – their local food pantry, homeless shelter, house of worship, or neighborhood school.
Others may want to focus their giving beyond where they live and donate to organizations that operate in certain regions or even other countries. There’s no ‘right’ answer - and many people choose to donate both locally and globally to a cause they care about. For example, you may want to support an organization that is both on the frontlines supporting refugees fleeing the conflict in Ukraine, as well as helping resettle refugee families near your town in the U.S.
Does size matter?
Similarly, there is no right answer for what size organization is best to donate to. Whether they are large or small, if they have a strong track record of impact and do not have a pattern of mismanagement of funds, they are worthy recipients of donations.
Many people want to donate to organizations that have a proven track record of implementing large-scale programs, or are on a strong growth trajectory, year over year. Larger organizations generally have shown their ability to receive larger amounts of funding, and in turn design and implement programs at a scale that have a greater impact towards the causes you care about most. But small organizations can also be extremely impactful - even if the radius or scope of impact is smaller. Although many of today’s social and environmental problems are massive in scale, the vast majority of nonprofits are tiny; indeed, most nonprofits in the United States are small, grassroots organizations - and 20% have annual budgets of less than $50,000. For smaller nonprofits, even the smallest donation on an annual or monthly, recurring basis can have a huge impact on their ability to sustain programs or even expand.
3. Evaluate "Best in Class" Charities
There are multiple ways to assess the quality of a charity; many ratings sites focus primarily on financial metrics, but it is equally important to assess not only how an organization is managing its funds, but also the quality of its work. And while a rating system like Charity Navigator can be helpful, it is important to know that no rating system is comprehensive. Groundswell offers an important starting point - we only feature organizations that are in good standing with the IRS and eligible to receive tax-deductible donations.
- Programmatic Impact: Understanding a nonprofit’s impact - through its programs and the populations that it serves - is an important way to evaluate its effectiveness in tackling the causes you care about. Many nonprofits provide details about programming approaches on their websites, including testimonials, photos, and reports detailing specific results. Keep in mind that understanding and assessing impact is highly qualitative - there is no clear ‘score’ - especially because what or who is being impacted varies across the thousands of nonprofits.
- Financial Management: Nonprofits, especially larger ones, are required to disclose details related to their financial performance annually – to include assets, revenue and breakdown of expenses in forms submitted to the IRS. Many nonprofits are proactively transparent about their finances and post audited financial statements and other reports on their websites. But financial data does not always tell a complete story. There may be important investments in fundraising staff, which two years later yield a windfall in donations that can be put towards programs.
- Advisories: Sometimes there are advisories based on pending or ongoing legal action. Groundswell works to monitor these advisories and remove any charities that it believes are acting improperly or mismanaging donor funds. We also remove any charities that have had their nonprofit status revoked by the IRS.
- Groundswell-curated Featured Causes: While many donors might want to do their own research, sometimes it’s far easier (and efficient) to put your trust in others. Groundswell’s impact team provides donors with additional inspiration, and has done the vetting work to determine cause-specific organizations that are well run and most importantly having a strong impact.
4. Aim High with a Giving Goal
You can use Groundswell’s calculator found under your Profile to set or edit your annual giving goal. This can be a flat amount, or a percentage of your annual salary. While estimates vary, a common range for giving as a percentage of annual salary is between 2-6%.
The good news is that with your Groundswell Personal Giving Account, you can easily set up recurring contributions to stay on track to meet your goals. It’s also important to maximize the matching offered by your company’s giving program, where applicable.
Your giving goal can help fund recurring donations, as well as account for unexpected events that you may want to donate to.
5. Level Up with Recurring Donations
Recurring donations can be a great component of your philanthropic strategy. As a bonus, there are benefits for both donors as well as nonprofits.
For donors, setting recurring donations to autopilot every month or quarter means you don’t have to think about it or go through the steps to do it on a regular basis.
Put simply, it’s a smart use of your time. It is also a symbol of a donor’s commitment to a cause, and a belief in the nonprofit’s ability to have a positive impact - not just in a moment of crisis, but on a continuous basis. Groundswell’s recurring contributions and donations features help facilitate recurring giving.
For charities, recurring donations provide a steady, predictable stream of revenue that helps with budget planning. For many organizations, large or small, recurring donations can have a huge impact. Similar to the trends in grassroots political fundraising, having many small-dollar donors is good for nonprofits.
It helps them build awareness and shows to the larger-dollar donors that there is a community that believes in the nonprofit’s mission. It also helps de-risk; nonprofits with one or two large donors and very few small-dollar donors can run into major problems if any of those large donors stop supporting their work.
6. Optimize Your Tax-Efficient Giving
You can leverage the versatility of your Groundswell Personal Giving Account, which is underpinned by a Donor-Advised Fund, to be strategic and reduce your tax burden.
Donate appreciated stock
If you have appreciated stocks that you've held for more than a year and you donate them through your Groundswell account, you won't have to pay capital gains tax on the appreciation when those shares are exchanged for their market value.
Plus, you'll be eligible for a tax deduction for the full fair market value of the stock at the time of contribution into your Groundswell account.
Give with payroll
You can leverage Groundswell’s Payroll feature to make giving more tax efficient. Contributions to Groundswell through payroll deductions are eligible for an immediate tax deduction for the amount contributed. This means that your taxable income for the year is reduced by the amount of your contribution. Contributing on a recurring basis via payroll also makes it easier to “set and forget” and achieve your giving goals more efficiently.
Bundle contributions
You can also take advantage of the Donor-Advised Fund structure of Groundswell to make a larger contribution in a single tax year and maximize tax benefits by itemizing deductions in the year that the larger contribution is being made - commonly known as “bunching.”
For example, if you typically give $5,000 to charity each year but decide to give $25,000 to your Groundswell account in one year, you can itemize your deductions that year and take the standard deduction in the following years. By doing so, you may be able to minimize your tax burden over time while still supporting the charities you care about.
Want access to other toolkits like this?
Corporate giving programs aim to empower employees and help companies facilitate and support philanthropic efforts. As global access grows and corporations become more diverse, employee representation becomes an increasingly important subject.
Groundswell enables companies to lay the foundation for their employees to adopt a generous giving attitude towards charities and world-shaping efforts.
Unleash the Power of Your Employee Giving Program: Best Practices Guide
Your Best Practices Guide for Maximizing Your Employee Giving Participation
This guide provides you with tools and tips to maximize employee participation in your giving program, not just when the program launches but throughout the entire year.
Leveraging our expertise in the social impact and nonprofit sectors, Groundswell is here to support you and your employees on your impact journey.
Overview
Employee giving programs can be a great way for companies to demonstrate their commitment to social responsibility, engage employees, and make a positive impact on the community. But too often, employees don’t take full advantage of the opportunities provided through their giving programs, leaving billions of funds unmatched every year. For some, this is due to either a lack of awareness about their company's giving program, or for others because an unwieldy donation portal and match process that leaves employees frustrated. Groundswell's technology brings corporate giving into the 21st century and unleashes the modern philanthropist in all of your employees.
Whether your goal is to grow the percentage of employees participating in your giving program, increase the amount of funds going to nonprofits, or to better understand the causes that matter most to your employees, these best practices can help you achieve those goals.
By reducing the administrative burden required to launch and implement a Giving Program, Groundswell frees you up to focus on what matters most: inspiring your employees and having a positive impact on the world through your company’s support for charitable causes.
6 Tips for Maximizing Participation in Your Employee Giving Program
1. Communicate Early and with Intention
Communication is a critical component of any successful giving program. We want you to have the tools to effectively share program details and encourage participation - whether launching a new employee giving program or transitioning from an existing one.
The key is to help employees understand why and how Groundswell fits into your company’s broader vision around corporate citizenship and employee engagement - and build enthusiasm around the potential to collectively have a positive impact on the world through donations to charities.
Program Launch Communications:
Here are some ways to think about the program launch. Depending on whether this is a new program or transitioning from an existing one, your adoption plan may change. You don’t want to inundate employees with too much information, while also providing them with the resources they need to successfully enroll in the program and easily engage on the platform.
- Keep it short, and emphasize that the intent is to center employees in corporate philanthropy and make it as easy as possible for employees to give.
- If the Giving Program is new: Why now? How does it align with your company’s values? Why is Groundswell a good fit for the company?
- If the program is replacing an existing program: Why now? What’s different (and better) from the previous program? New matching or gifting features? It may also be helpful to highlight the tax effectiveness of the donor-advised fund model.
Monthly Program Communications
In order to encourage ongoing participation in your program, and for employees to take advantage of the gifts and matches offered by your company, we encourage monthly nudges to remind employees about the program.
Monthly Cause Spotlights
- Start off the month by highlighting some timely causes - make sure to link to Groundswell-curated “Featured Cause” Portfolios that Groundswell uploads to the dashboard every month for a hand-off approach to spotlighting.
- Share “Cause of the Month” information with employees, leveraging the toolkits found in Groundswell’s Resource Center.
Engagement & Impact Reporting
- Utilize the data that you can find on your company Dashboard or download via CSV to highlight some of your company’s collective impact - including a percentage of employees enrolled, the total dollar amount that has been donated, as well as top nonprofit donation recipients and/or cause areas.
- This helps employees see how their individual donations are having a larger impact as part of your company’s collective giving program.
2. Drive Early Adoption through Gifts
Gifts can be a terrific way to get employees to sign up and start using the Groundswell platform immediately. Here are a few tips on how to drive early adoption using the Gifting feature:
- Launch with a one-time gift into employees’ Giving Accounts that will show up as soon as employees enroll. This can be a great way to create buzz about the program and empower employees to donate and make an impact immediately - even before they contribute their own funds to their Groundswell account.
- Throughout the year, provide unexpected, ad hoc gifts into employees’ accounts - for work anniversaries, milestones, great performance, etc.
- A way to make it fun is to do a lottery at All Hands meetings by randomly selecting an employee to receive $25 in their Groundswell account. Follow this link or reach out to the Groundswell Customer Success team to learn more.
3. Inspire Engagement through Matching
- Set up a matching program that immediately doubles the impact when an employee puts funds into their Groundswell Giving Account. This creates a feeling of “we’re in this together” - and drives home the message about an equitable approach to corporate philanthropy.
- A match program can run for an entire year, or be tailored to specific months.
- With the Groundswell match happening at the point of contributing funds to the Groundswell account, employees can tangibly see and feel what it means to double the impact for the charities and causes that matter most to them.
4. Leverage Cause Campaigns & Respond to the Emergent Events
Planned Campaigns:
- Utilize a Social Impact Cause Calendar to plan monthly or bi-monthly communications to employees highlighting specific causes - with resources to educate employees about the cause, and a curated list of nonprofits most relevant to the cause. You can refer to Groundswell’s monthly cause portfolios that are updated to reflect timely causes and issues.
- Tip: Plan your annual budget to launch match campaigns focused on specific charities or cause areas throughout the year.
Unforeseen Events:
- Utilize Groundswell’s curated list of best-in-class nonprofits responding to disasters in the United States or globally. Being able to quickly and confidently point your employees to vetted nonprofits to donate to shows that you are responsive as a company and empowering employees to take action in moments of crisis.
- Tip: Keep a portion of your annual budget in reserve so that you can match employee donations and/or provide gifts to employees to expand the impact in response to the unforeseen emergency.
5. Engage Employee Resource Groups
Another mechanism to center employees in corporate philanthropy and recognize their own lived experiences: provide Employee Resource Groups (ERG) a platform to speak to key cause areas (e.g. AAPI Awareness, Black History Month, etc).
- ERGs can take the opportunity to recommend nonprofits that they think are most effective and related to the cause, and share their commitment to specific causes with the tag-line “My cause is ____ “
- Tip: Solicit recommendations from the Employee Resource Group for books to read, films, and documentaries to watch, and podcasts to listen to. This can generate a deeper understanding of causes and lead to engagement via donations to support the causes.
6. Lean Into End-of-Year Giving Spirit
30% of annual giving happens in December, with about 10% of all annual donations coming in the last three days of the year. For nonprofits, this can be a critical time to raise funds and prepare programming budgets for the next year.
You can leverage Groundswell's Giving Tuesday resources to launch an end-of-year donation campaign, featuring specific cause areas and nonprofits.
Tip: Set a budget aside for a surprise end-of-year gift - leveraging the fact that a large percentage of people prefer to donate at the end of the year.
Read related articles
- Is Your Donation Matching Program Inclusive and Equitable?
- The Workplace Giving Handbook: Everything You Need to Know
- 8 Workplace Giving Trends and How to Use Them
Groundswell is your ally in corporate philanthropy.
Corporate giving programs aim to empower employees and help companies facilitate and support philanthropic efforts. As global access grows and corporations become more diverse, employee representation becomes an increasingly important subject.
Groundswell enables companies to lay the foundation for their employees to adopt a generous giving attitude towards charities and world-shaping efforts.
Complete Handbook to Corporate Grants
Corporate grants are financial support provided by a business to a nonprofit organization, educational institution, or another type of community group.
These grants can be used to fund a wide range of projects, including programs and initiatives that align with the values and mission of the funding organization.
In this ultimate guide, we will explore the various types of corporate grants available, how to find and apply for these grants, and tips for success in securing funding.
Types of Corporate Grants
There are several types of corporate grants that organizations can apply for, depending on their needs and the focus of the funding organization. Some common types of corporate grants include:
General Operating Support: These grants provide funding for the general operations and administration of an organization, including salaries, rent, and other overhead costs.
Project-Specific Grants: These grants are provided to fund a specific project or initiative, such as a research project, community development program, or arts and culture event.
Capital Grants: These grants are provided to fund the purchase of long-term assets, such as equipment, real estate, or vehicles.
Sponsorship Grants: These grants provide financial support for a specific event or activity, such as a charity fundraiser or sporting event.
Matching Grants: These grants require the recipient organization raises a certain amount of funds on their own, which is then matched by the funding organization.
How to Find Corporate Grants
There are a few different ways to find corporate grants that may be a good fit for your organization. Here are some tips:
Research funding organizations: Many businesses have corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs that provide grants to nonprofit organizations. Research the CSR programs of businesses in your industry or local area to see if they offer grants.
Use grant databases: There are many online databases that list corporate grants, such as Grants.gov and the Candid, formally known as Foundation Center. These databases allow you to search for grants based on your organization's location, mission, and area of focus.
Join grant-seeking networks: There are many online networks and forums for grant seekers, such as Candid, formally known as GrantSpace, and the Grant Professionals Association. These communities can be a valuable resource for finding corporate grants and learning about the grant-seeking process.
How to Apply for Corporate Grants
Once you have identified a corporate grant that is a good fit for your organization, the next step is to prepare and submit a grant proposal. Here are some tips for success:
Follow the application instructions carefully: Each grant program will have its own application requirements and guidelines, so it is important to follow these instructions carefully. Be sure to complete all required forms and provide any supporting documents that are requested.
Clearly articulate your needs and objectives: In your grant proposal, be sure to clearly explain your organization's needs and the specific objectives that you hope to achieve with the funding. Use specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals to demonstrate the impact that the grant will have.
Demonstrate your organization's capacity to deliver: In addition to outlining your needs and objectives, it is important to demonstrate your organization's capacity to deliver on its proposed project or initiative. This may include information about your staff, volunteers, resources, and past successes.
Proofread and edit: A well-written and well-organized grant proposal is more likely to be successful. Be sure to proofread your proposal carefully and have at least one other person review it before submitting it.
Tips for Success in Securing Corporate Grants
Start early: Many corporate grant programs have deadlines that are several months in advance of the funding period. It is important to start researching and preparing your grant proposal as early as possible to allow sufficient time for revisions and any additional information that may be requested by the funding organization.
Build relationships with funders: Building relationships with potential funders can be a valuable asset in the grant-seeking process. Attend events and networking opportunities where you can meet with representatives from funding organizations, and consider reaching out to them directly to introduce your organization and its work.
Be persistent: Securing corporate grants can be competitive, and it is not uncommon to be rejected on the first try. Don't be discouraged by rejection – use it as an opportunity to learn and improve your grant proposal for the next round of funding.
In conclusion, corporate grants can be a valuable source of funding for nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and community groups. By researching and identifying appropriate grant programs, preparing a strong grant proposal, and building relationships with potential funders, your organization can increase its chances of success in securing corporate grants.
More about Groundswell
Groundswell is an affordable workplace giving program built for modern businesses. We give organizations the infrastructure and tools to make it easy to empower employees to support the causes they care about during moments that matter most.
Subscribe to our newsletter and reach out to our team to learn more about Groundswell.io.
The Workplace Giving Handbook: Everything You Need to Know
Workplace giving programs offer employees an important benefit.
It gives employees a way to support the causes they care about and trust that their support is actually doing good in the world.
It's not news that people are skeptical of corporate charity — it's why words like pink-washing and greenwashing have entered the public vocabulary. Workplace giving programs offer a way to combat that skepticism and give employees a reason to feel good about the places where they work.
But what exactly is workplace giving, and how do you set up an employee-powered giving program at your company?
What is Workplace Giving?
Workplace giving is any organized program that collects employee donations for charitable causes through payroll deductions and/or one-time donations. The company then disburses those donations to nonprofits.
Over the years, the term has evolved to include volunteer giving programs, and other forms of employee giving programs. These giving programs take many forms today, including payroll deductions, donation match programs, and volunteer giving programs.
Matching Gift Programs
Donation match programs are among the most popular types of workplace giving programs, offered at nearly 65% of Fortune 500 companies, and accounting for $2 billion to $3 billion in donations annually.
The concept is simple in theory: an employee donates to a qualified nonprofit, and the company then makes a matching donation to the same nonprofit.
In practice, matching gift programs can be cumbersome and difficult to manage. In fact, for every dollar donated through matching gift programs, more than $2 goes unclaimed.
Volunteer Programs
In addition to typical volunteer programs — serving dinners at a local shelter or reading to school kids, for example — many companies create or participate in volunteer fundraising events, such as walk-a-thons or charity 5k runs.
Employees participate as a team, and the money raised is donated to the specific non-profit named. These campaigns can be great for team building and bonding, not to mention providing high-profile PR opportunities for the company.
Volunteer Grants
Many companies offer grants to organizations where their employees volunteer. This kind of program ensures that the company is helping to support genuine community organizations that their employees care about. They help deepen the ties between the company and the community and send the message to your employees that you care about the things that are important to them.
Volunteer Hours Matching
The third iteration of volunteer donation programs rewards your employees with the extra cash they can donate to others based on hours that they spend volunteering with community organizations.
Giving employees paid time off for volunteering can make it difficult for workers to keep up with their workload and make more work for nonprofits. Some companies have found ways to reimburse employees for their time working in their communities.
One way is to deposit the equivalent of their salary for hours spent into a Groundswell Personal Giving Account. From there, the employee can direct the donation to their chosen cause, effectively doubling their impact on the ground.
Donations Through Payroll Deduction
Many companies offer employees the opportunity to make giving easy by enrolling in an automatic payroll deduction for a chosen charity. Payroll deductions allow employees to essentially budget their charitable contributions over the course of the year.
However, the choice of charities to support is usually very narrow — often only one or two charities are chosen by the board.
A growing number of CEOs are moving away from the top-down approach to corporate giving, and moving to a model that puts the choice in the hands of their employees.
What Is a Workplace Giving Campaign?
Workplace giving campaigns are typically annual events companies hold to encourage employee donations to a cause.
They're often held in the fall, to coordinate with the holiday season — and of course, the end of the tax year. They can, however, take place at any time. Their purpose is to publicize and raise awareness of any company-sponsored employee giving programs, and get more people involved in them.
Campaigns may also revolve around a specific need or event. These campaigns include disaster relief campaigns, or campaigns to support specific needs in the local community — supporting the unhoused, or providing funds for meals during a pandemic, for example.
How Does Workplace Giving Work?
The nuts and bolts of employee giving programs are rapidly evolving. Legacy workplace giving programs collected donations from employees then combined them and funneled them to one or two charities chosen by the board of directors or the CEO. Historically, there are two major models for doing this.
Payroll Deduction
Programs that collect charitable donations through payroll deductions are the most common workplace giving programs, accounting for nearly 75% of all employee giving annually. Payroll deductions make charitable giving easy on employees — they fill out a payroll deduction form once, and HR/Payroll does the rest. It's so easy, in fact, that when Google implemented a pilot payroll giving program, it increased the likelihood of donations to a promoted charity by 50% without reducing the average amount donated.
In addition, each participating employee has a running record of their deductions on their pay stub, with the current and year-to-date donations recorded. That's a big boon at tax time — their pay stub serves as proof of their donation, so they don't have to scrounge around looking for acknowledgment letters from the nonprofits they donate to.
Nonprofits also benefit from this type of workplace giving program in several ways: they get predictable, sustainable donations, and often get more donations. Just as important, a payroll deduction model reduces the amount of work that falls on their shoulders by transferring much of it to the company's payroll department. Managing a workplace giving campaign is a complex undertaking involving multiple steps and responsibilities.
- The company creates a campaign to engage and encourage employees to sign up for the giving program. This is no small undertaking — entire toolkits are devoted to teaching employees and volunteers to run successful campaigns.
- The employee fills out a pledge card, designating the amount of the donation and/or the amount to be deducted each pay period. If the company allows it, they may also choose one of several pre-approved nonprofits to receive their donation.
- The payroll department — or the company's payroll provider — sets up the recurring deduction for each employee.
- If the company also operates a matching donation program, HR processes all donations to set up the matching donation.
- Each pay period, the payroll department deducts and deposits the funds from each employee into a central account, then sends the final donation amount to the paying agent, such as the United Way.
- The paying agent distributes the funds to the designated organizations.
Donation Matching Programs
Donation match programs can also be time-consuming and difficult to navigate — so much so, that billions of dollars in matching funds go unclaimed every year. A typical donation match program works like this:
- The company determines which organizations will qualify for a matching gift and makes the list of qualifying organizations available to employees, and creates rules to determine the amount of the match. There may be differing amounts depending on the employee's position or other criteria. For example, all full-time employees may qualify for 100% matching, while managers qualify for 200% matching.
- The employee makes a donation to the charity of their choice.
- After determining that their chosen organization qualifies for a match, the employee fills out and submits a request to HR for their employer to match their donation.
- HR processes the request and determines the match amount based on the rules.
- The company sends a check for the matching amount to the qualifying organization.
Emerging Trends in Workplace Giving
Since the early 2000s, there's been a growing movement to allow employees more choices of donors. Many donation match programs, for example, will match employee donations to any 501(c)3 charity. New platforms are streamlining corporate and employee giving, reducing the amount of work and time that goes into managing workplace giving campaigns and employee giving programs in general.
The newest trends in corporate giving include making charitable giving part of the employee's benefits package and providing granular control and choice on when and where to donate their funds.
Advances in technology provided new tools — yes, there's an app for that — to help companies manage and deploy their corporate giving programs in ways that make sense for their workforces. As the workplace and trends in giving continue to evolve, employee giving programs will also evolve to keep pace and provide the most seamless, empowering giving experience.
Benefits of Workplace Giving Programs
Employee giving programs are not just good for the causes that get the donations. They provide important positives for employees, the company, and the community. These are a few of the most important.
- Improved Employee Recruitment: 55% of employees — including 75% of Millennials — would choose to work for a socially responsible company, even if they got paid less.
- Increased Employee Engagement: Employees are more engaged at work when they feel their employer aligns with their values.
- Increased Profitability: Companies with the most engaged workers are 21% more profitable.
- Better Public Image: People think more positively about businesses that give back to the community.
- Deeper Community Connections: A well-planned employee giving program helps the business connect and cement relationships with organizations in the community.
- Increased Employee Loyalty: Employees are more likely to recommend businesses that support them and their interests.
- Higher Retention Rates: Employees who take advantage of employee giving programs stay with the company 75% longer.
What Employees Care About
According to a recent Deloitte Workplace Giving survey, 37% of workers donated to charity through a workplace giving program, but — and this is a big but — when they looked at Millennial and Gen Z employees, that percentage skyrocketed to 58%.
Younger workers, those destined for leadership positions in future companies, care deeply about doing good in the world, and they reflect it in their behavior. They donate because they are connected to a cause or charity, because they want to support their community, and because giving makes them feel good.
When you make it easy for them to plant a tree, buy a kid a desk, or adopt sheltered puppies, your company is showing them that they respect and support the people that they are, not just the work that they do for your business.
Why Is Employee Giving Important?
In addition to the benefits to your employees and your business bottom line, employee giving also brings an immense benefit to the community.
In 2021, workplace giving programs raised more than $5 billion, with about 50% of that coming from matching gift programs. Those donations went to
- Education-related causes: 29%
- Health and wellness causes: 25%
- Community and economic development causes: 15%
Employees who donated through workplace giving programs reported that they donated to
- Hunger and homelessness relief: 47%
- Education: 23%
- Social and racial equity causes: 20%
The right workplace giving program empowers your employees to support the causes closest to their hearts, without judgment and with the confidence that their employer trusts them to put their money where it will matter the most.
How to Set Up a Workplace Giving Program
If this is your first time setting up a workplace giving program, there are some important steps to consider. You want a program that reflects your company's mission and core philosophy, one that your employees will embrace and be proud to use. These are some key principles to keep in mind and some action steps to get you started.
Evaluate Your Company's Corporate Social Responsibility Policy. If You Don't Have One, This Is A Good Time To Brainstorm.
- Create a vision for your CSR that balances your responsibilities to your shareholders/owners, your employees, the community, the planet, and any other stakeholders.
- Evaluate your current activities in light of community service. Do you partner with local organizations? Host volunteer activities? Make donations to local charities? Any of these would fit under the umbrella of CSR.
- Establish a corporate code of ethics detailing how your company will treat employees, customers, the environment, and competitors in all your dealings.
- Get strategic with your giving program to ensure that it aligns with your company's values and ethics.
Set a Budget for Your Giving Program.
- The amount you budget for corporate giving should be no more than you can afford to give without affecting the cash flow you need to operate your business.
- Many large companies earmark 1% - 5% of their pre-tax earnings for charitable giving. Small companies often donate 6% or more to charity.
- Consider designating profits from one particular product for giving.
- Use the Sabsevitz Ante-Up Formula — multiply last year's pre-tax net income by 1.2% to come up with a donation budget.
- Check out more suggestions for setting your budget in this blog post.
Set Up Guidelines for Your Program
- Employees: will all employees be included in your benefits program? Will they all be level-funded, or will some positions qualify for a higher workplace giving benefit?
- Moments That Matter: Can you make donations more meaningful by tying deposit amounts to specific events in the lives for your employees?
- Decide which charities/causes your company will support. Will you restrict employee giving to designated nonprofits? How expansive will your list of eligible organizations be?
Establish A Process For Collecting, Matching, And Donating Contributions.
- See the section on How Does Workplace Giving Work?
- (Hint: Groundswell takes the stress out of this step.)
Publicize The Program.
The key to a successful workplace giving program is awareness. Your employees can't use a benefit they don't know about, and your company won't reap the benefits if your customers and employees don't know what you're doing. These are a few suggestions for raising awareness of your new employee giving program.
- List it as a benefit in your recruitment materials.
- Provide an easy — and very visible — way to access your program's front end on your employee website, Discord, or other communication software.
- Highlight your program in the company newsletter.
- Create and distribute flyers explaining the program, its benefits, and how to use it to your employees.
- If you offer donation matches, make sure that local nonprofits are aware of it.
- Partner with local nonprofits and community organizations when it makes sense.
Is Workplace Giving Tax Deductible?
The simple answer is yes, in most cases, workplace giving is tax deductible, and has been since 1935 when Congress passed a law allowing corporations to deduct up to 10% of their pretax income on their tax returns. That limit was raised to 25% to encourage more giving during the pandemic.
Maximizing Tax Benefits for Workplace Giving
It's important to understand how tax-deductible donations work in order to maximize the benefits of a workplace giving program.
Some types of corporate giving offer more benefits than others.
DAFs offer unique tax benefits, but until recently, they've been reserved for high-dollar donors. Briefly, a DAF allows your company to make a donation at the most advantageous time — before the end of the tax year, for example — and take the deduction immediately, and decide when and where that money should be donated to nonprofits. In addition, DAFs make it more efficient to donate non-cash assets, such as stock and real estate, to charity, without incurring an additional tax burden.
Workplace Giving with Groundswell
Groundswell's innovative Philanthropy as a Service model democratizes workplace giving by setting up a Personal Giving Account — an individual DAF — for each employee, effectively putting the power of a DAF in the palm of their hand.
The company can make donations into each Personal Giving Account as part of an overall corporate giving strategy, timing the donations to provide the most benefit. The employee then decides when and where to make donations to the causes that are most important to them.
If you're ready to increase the impact of your workplace giving programs, contact us to learn more about how Groundswell can empower you and your employees to do more good and make the changes they want to see in the world.
The Case for Corporations to Leverage Donor-Advised Funds
Year over year, companies are increasing their focus on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the impact they have on communities. Corporate charitable giving is perhaps the most visible effort that companies undertake, and the amount being donated has increased steadily, topping $21 billion in 2020.
Alongside this rise in corporate giving has been an increase in the number of companies offering to match employee donations to charity - up from 53% in 2014 to 71% in 2020.
These employee donation programs are often archaic and burdensome, and it’s estimated that $5 to $7 billion in eligible donations go unmatched by employers each year.
Donor-advised funds (DAFs), tax-advantaged giving vehicles that have been around for decades, offer a compelling solution for both companies and their employees. As will be outlined below, DAFs have historically only been available to high-net-worth individuals, but Groundswell has built a platform that turns donor-advised funds into an affordable and easy-to-administer solution for corporate and employee giving.
Groundswell believes that in the near future, companies providing donor-advised funds as a component of their total compensation approach will be as commonplace as 401(k)s, which were introduced in the United States in 1978.
Initially only utilized by the highest earners within companies who understood the intricacies of the tax benefits, 401(k)s have now become the ubiquitous tax-savings vehicle in the United States, with over 100 million accounts.
In much the same way, Groundswell drives the adoption and utilization of donor-advised funds as America’s preferred charitable giving vehicle.
What is a donor-advised fund?
Donor-advised funds are charitable giving vehicles that allow individuals, families, and businesses to make a tax-deductible contribution to a fund, which can then be distributed to qualified charities over time. DAFs were first introduced in the United States in the 1930s, but their popularity has grown significantly in recent years.
Historically, DAFs have been primarily used by wealthy individuals and families. This is because DAFs often require a significant minimum donation to establish and maintain the fund, which can be a barrier to entry for many individuals with less disposable income.
For example, according to a report by the National Philanthropic Trust, the average size of a donor-advised fund in 2019 was $413,000, and the average initial contribution was $166,000.
Overall, the growth of donor-advised funds over the past decade reflects a shift in how affluent individuals and families approach charitable giving. DAFs offer a flexible, efficient, and tax-effective way to support a variety of causes over time, and their popularity is likely to continue to grow in the coming years.
Groundswell was created to ensure that average-income Americans are not left behind in this trend.
What is the difference between a DAF and a private foundation?
There are several key differences between a donor-advised fund (DAF) and a foundation:
- Legal structure: A foundation is a separate legal entity, typically established as a nonprofit organization under state law, while a DAF is a fund held and managed by a sponsoring organization, such as a community foundation or financial institution.
- Establishment: Establishing a foundation requires significant time, effort, and expense, including legal and accounting fees, filing paperwork with the IRS, and ongoing compliance and reporting requirements. In contrast, establishing a DAF is typically quicker and easier, with lower establishment costs.
- Tax benefits: Both foundations and DAFs offer tax benefits for donors, including income tax deductions for contributions to the fund or foundation, as well as tax-free growth of assets held within the fund or foundation.
- Costs: Foundations generally have higher establishment and ongoing administrative costs, including legal and accounting fees, staff salaries, and overhead expenses, compared to DAFs, which are typically less expensive to establish and manage.
Overall, both DAFs and foundations offer donors the ability to support charitable causes and receive tax benefits for their contributions.
Historically, establishing a foundation has only made sense for the most wealthy individuals, families, and corporations due to the increased cost and compliance associated with their operation. Comparatively, donor-advised funds have offered high-income individuals and families, as well as profitable corporations, with a moderately cost-effective solution with nearly all of the same advantages as a foundation.
Groundswell ensures DAFs are no longer the enclave of the wealthy
According to a survey by U.S. Trust, 72% of high-net-worth individuals use DAFs as a key component of their overall charitable giving strategy. (Source: U.S. Trust Insights on Wealth and Worth 2018)
Over the past decade, DAFs have exploded in popularity. According to the National Philanthropic Trust's 2020 Donor-Advised Fund Report, the total number of donor-advised funds in the United States grew by 55% between 2010 and 2019, from 204,704 to 318,000. The total amount in donor-advised funds increased by 237% over the same period, from $38.8 billion to $131.1 billion.
But here’s the rub: DAFs are primarily used by wealthy individuals and families. According to the National Philanthropic Trust's 2020 Donor-Advised Fund Report, 60% of DAF assets are held in funds with balances of $1 million or more. Historically, the average donor in the United States is as likely to have a DAF as they are a member of their town’s exclusive country club.
Donor-advised funds have been reserved for the ultra-rich primarily because they’ve only been offered by the gated community of wealth advisors and financial institutions - average people need not apply.
Groundswell’s mission to democratize philanthropy has led it to create the world’s most modern and accessible donor-advised fund. Whereas a donor today needs $20,000 to open a DAF at Morgan Stanley, the minimum contribution on Groundswell is $1.
Groundswell makes DAFs an employee benefit
To further Groundswell’s mission to democratize philanthropy, the company has built a Software-as-a-Service platform that enables companies to provide their employees with individual donor-advised funds.
Groundswell’s easy-to-administer platform invites eligible employees to download the Groundswell app from the iOS or Android store. Subsequent account creation takes less than sixty seconds. At that point, the employee is the owner of their own tax-advantaged donor-advised fund.
Additionally, the Groundswell administrator platform allows companies to effortlessly create custom corporate gifting and matching programs. These programs deposit charitable dollars into employee accounts according to the program rules established by administrators. The funds are not taxable income to the employee, and once put into the employee’s account, the employee can send the funds to charity however they wish.
Advantages of providing employees with donor-advised funds
Financial wellbeing
As inflation and wage stagnation have eaten away at household incomes, many companies and HR teams have focused on the concept of financial well-being.
Financial well-being is a trend in HR that focuses on promoting the financial health and security of employees. This trend recognizes that financial stress can have a negative impact on employees' job performance, physical health, and mental well-being and that employers have a role to play in helping employees manage their finances and reduce financial stress.
Financial wellbeing programs typically include a range of resources and tools to help employees improve their financial literacy, such as educational seminars, online resources, and one-on-one financial counseling. Some employers may also offer financial incentives, such as matching contributions to retirement accounts or bonuses for achieving certain financial goals.
The trend toward financial well-being in HR has been driven in part by the growing recognition that financial stress is a major source of employee anxiety and distraction. Studies have shown that financial stress can lead to absenteeism, lower productivity, and higher healthcare costs for employers. By investing in financial well-being programs, employers can help reduce financial stress among their employees, improve job satisfaction and retention, and enhance overall business performance.
Considering that in 2020 70% of American households gave to charity, it’s safe to assume that charitable giving is an important part of the financial wellness of employees’ lives. This holds true across the wage spectrum. Low-income households give a higher percentage of their income to charity than high-income households. According to a 2018 study by the Urban Institute, households with incomes below $25,000 gave an average of 7.6% of their income to charity, while households with incomes of $200,000 or more gave an average of 4.2% of their income to charity. Perhaps obviously, despite giving a higher percentage of their income, low-income households donate smaller dollar amounts to charity. In 2020, households with incomes below $50,000 gave an average of $1,336 to charity, compared to an average of $6,082 for households with incomes of $200,000 or more (Source: Giving USA 2021).
Knowing that your employees are giving to charity creates a compelling argument to provide for them a donor-advised fund along with charitable gifts and matches that effectively subsidize their annual giving.
Tax advantages
There are three primary tax advantages that donor-advised funds can provide to your employees: minimizing taxable income in the current year while maintaining the ability to distribute funds in future years, the ability to donate appreciated stock assets, and the simplicity of a single year-end charitable giving receipt for tax reporting.
First, because the DAF is a qualifying tax-exempt vehicle, contributions to them are immediately tax deductible. This means that an employee - for instance, a high-earning sales executive receiving a large commission check - can work with a tax planner to make a large contribution to her donor-advised fund, minimize her current year tax liability, and then work strategically to distribute those funds over a longer time horizon.
Second, donor-advised funds like Groundswell unlocks the ability for employees to donate appreciated stock assets - a significant philanthropy hack utilized by wealth donors for decades.
When you donate appreciated stock to a charity, you can claim a deduction for the full market value of the stock at the time of the donation. Moreover, by donating the stock instead of selling it and then donating the proceeds, you can avoid paying capital gains taxes on the appreciation.
Here's an example: Let's say you purchased 100 shares of XYZ stock for $5,000 several years ago, and the stock is now worth $10,000. If you were to sell the stock, you would realize a capital gain of $5,000, and you would owe taxes on that gain. Assuming a capital gains tax rate of 20%, you would owe $1,000 in taxes. At the conclusion of this sale, you would only have $9,000 to donate to charity.
Instead of selling the stock, you could donate the shares to a donor-advised fund. If you do that, you can claim a charitable deduction for the full market value of the stock, which is $10,000. You can then use the funds in the donor-advised fund to make grants to charities over time. Because you donated the stock instead of selling it, you can avoid paying the $1,000 in capital gains taxes that you would have owed if you had sold the shares.
Lastly, because an employee’s donor-advised fund is a tax-exempt vehicle that centralizes all of its users' philanthropy, the employee receives only a single tax receipt for reporting purposes at the end of the year, regardless of how many contributions were made or charities were supported.
Lower fees
Online and recurring monthly giving to charity have been growing trends in recent years. Here are some statistics to illustrate the trend:
- Online giving continues to grow year over year, with a 10.6% increase in online donations in 2020 compared to the previous year. (Source: Giving USA 2021)
- Recurring giving has become increasingly popular, with a 20.4% increase in the number of recurring donors in 2020. (Source: Blackbaud Institute)
- Donors who give online tend to give more than those who give through other channels. According to a 2019 report by Classy, the average online donation amount was $93, compared to $65 for offline donations.
Younger donors are more likely to give online and to prefer recurring giving. A 2019 report by the Nonprofit Tech for Good found that 60% of Millennials prefer to give online, and 54% prefer to give monthly.
These are all positive trends. However, with the ease of online giving comes a cost: credit card transaction fees. Typical online donation fees are 3% plus $0.30. Oftentimes, online giving platforms ask the donor to cover these fees in order to provide the full donation amount to the charity. That means that an employee donating $100 online is paying $3.30 to do so. If that employee has his gift set up to occur monthly, he is going to pay nearly $40 in fees.
Groundswell’s revolutionary platform has reduced the cost of these transactions and has passed those cost savings to users. Groundswell’s distribution fees are 1% - offering significant annual savings to employees.
Privacy leads to inclusion
Employee donor-advised funds also offer something essential to an inclusive and equitable employee giving program: privacy.
In traditional corporate donation matching programs, employees must submit evidence of their donation to an administrator, often in human resources. For decades this arrangement was never questioned. How else would a company know where to send the match? However, in an increasingly polarized world and workplace, employees are increasingly hesitant to disclose what charitable organizations they support for fear of ridicule, or worse, retribution.
For the first time ever, donor-advised funds offer an alternative. Because the DAF is a charitable account, with the funds contributed to it only eligible to be sent to charity, employees can contribute to their DAF and request that their match be made directly into their account. Since the employee has received their match prior to sending the money to the causes they care about, they can distribute the funds how, where, and when they like with complete privacy.
In this manner, Groundswell’s platform has completely reimagined what corporate matching looks like. The result is a more private, inclusive, and equitable program - all made possible by donor-advised funds.
A true benefit that stays with the employee
Because the DAF is an individual account registered in the employee's name - like a 401k plan or health savings account (HSA) - the employee is able to take their account with them if they were to leave the company.
This makes leveraging a DAF for employee giving the first step toward truly making philanthropy an employee benefit. Previous models of employee matching were nothing more than process automation tools. But providing a portable DAF is giving an employee something of lifetime financial value.
What do companies gain by leveraging donor-advised funds
Reduced risk
Within traditional matching programs, a company receives a request from an employee to send a donation match to a charity they’ve supported. The company, upon confirming the details of the charity, sends payment directly to the charity from the company’s account. This action thereby directly associates the company with the charity - a potentially risky association in a hyper-polarized world.
However, leveraging employee DAFs provides companies with an alternative. By structuring a corporate matching program through employee DAFs, companies can eliminate their association with recipient charities. Because the company’s funds are only ever going to the DAF’s fiscal sponsor - in Groundswell’s case this would be the Groundswell Charitable Foundation - there is no financial link between the company and the charity. The charity receives disbursements from the Groundswell Charitable Foundation, at the recommendation of the employee (whose employment status or employer is not disclosed).
The result is a matching program that is optimized for inclusion, not exclusion.
Reduced risk leads to increased inclusion
Not surprisingly, many companies have been fearful of directly associating with specific charities and have thus resorted to various forms of restricting the range of nonprofits eligible for corporate matches. This restriction has basically taken two forms.
The first form happens when a company creates a list of charities it has proactively screened and approved. These lists tend to have between five and 25 charities listed, with most of them national in scope. The problem with this list is that for most people, philanthropy is deeply personal and often local, and it's unlikely that a large, national organization fulfills its philanthropic aims.
The second form happens when companies attempt to place specific charities or issue areas on a “deny list” that excludes them from eligibility. Not surprisingly, this approach is a slippery slope. Each nonprofit or issue area that is restricted effectively amounts to a statement by the company that the issue at hand is not worthy of support - a statement that can be marginalizing for employees who want to support that nonprofit.
One segment of eligible charities that are often excluded is religion. This is unfortunate for employees because giving to houses of worship accounted for $131 billion of the $324 billion in individual giving in 2020. According to a 2016 study by the Nonprofit Research Collaborative, 70% of low-income households gave to religious organizations, compared to 48% of high-income households. While choosing not to directly support a religion may seem like a logical thing for a corporation to do, it fails to acknowledge that for many employees their house of worship is also their source of other social support, such as counseling, food security, or education.
Groundswell believes that inclusion begins with inclusion - specifically, companies should strive to match contributions to any eligible 501c3 that is not a documented hate group. Our matching solution - which uses donor-advised funds as an intermediary - provides companies with the opportunity to do so.
Reduced administrative burden
Like individuals, companies can also utilize donor-advised funds for their philanthropic giving. Due to their minimal legal, compliance, and administrative requirements, DAFs are often the most logical and cost-effective solution for companies looking to create a charitable vehicle for their corporate social responsibility.
As part of its platform, Groundswell offers companies a corporate DAF at no extra cost. This corporate giving account is fully tax-advantaged and has the ability to create corporate grants that are sent directly to charity.
Responding to Disasters: Your Corporate Giving Playbook
As the frequency and intensity of natural disasters and wide-scale emergencies increase, and as government resources are stretched thin, communities are turning more often to companies to assist in immediate relief and long-term recovery efforts. This toolkit provides your company with do's and don'ts of how best to respond, as well as additional resources around how best to engage employees in responding to a disaster.
If you're looking for a list of agencies who respond to disasters, read our blog Disaster Relief Response: Nonprofit Organizations.
Give Better: A Playbook for Effective Giving in a Disaster
Companies can play an important, valuable role in different phases of disasters - from preparedness to immediate response to longer-term recovery. Companies bring a lot to a disaster context; in addition to critical funding, they can leverage a workforce with specific skills, innovative resources, and cutting-edge technology that can help prepare communities to be more resilient and also save communities from a downward spiral post-disaster.
But HOW companies show up and partner with communities before, during, and after a disaster is critical. Many companies end up making mistakes that can reduce the effectiveness of their support - and sometimes cause more harm than good to those facing disaster.
"Business as usual" would be simply cutting a big check to one or two big-name disaster response charities, selected by company leaders. But there are so many other ways to have an impact and diversify that impact. For instance, companies can empower their employees to show up at the moment and donate in a way that makes them feel most connected to what’s going on, whether it’s to a local animal shelter rescuing abandoned animals, a homeless shelter helping an influx of those displaced, or a food bank distributing to families in need.
In this toolkit, Groundswell's team shares what companies should - and shouldn't - do, when it comes to sending resources to support when disaster strikes.
Responding to Disasters: Facts and Data
- 50% percentage of donations arrive within the first two weeks of major disasters, and the rest come over the next six weeks, leaving longer-term work under-funded
- $3.6 billion donated in disaster-related funding from corporate giving programs in 2020
- $1 invested, $6 saved — it is estimated that every $1 invested in disaster preparedness can save $6 when a disaster hits
Demystifying the Phases of Disasters
Disasters are complex. Our eyes are drawn to images of the destruction left in a storm’s path or after the earth stops shaking - but the true effects of disasters and the lives impacted often go far beyond what makes news headlines. The majority of donations in a disaster strongly correlate with the moments of immediate relief - when lives are at risk, critical infrastructure is damaged, and the media is laser-focused on it.
Disasters should be viewed on a longer continuum, to not only include the immediate response and relief, but also longer-term recovery (rebuilding homes, roads, and livelihoods), as well as critical mitigation and preparedness activities - such as hardening structures, improving evacuation and communications protocols, etc - to help prevent future devastation.
It’s important to consider these different phases when determining how and when to provide support for a disaster. Donations before, during, and after disasters can be game-changing, but figuring out the right, the most impactful approach isn’t always easy.
In the following pages, we offer tips to help you make the right choices not only when disaster strikes but also how you consider support in the longer term.
Do’s and Don'ts of Corporate Disaster Philanthropy
Here are some tips from the team at Groundswell, leveraging years of experience in the disaster relief space:
#1: Don't send stuff, send money
Sending clothes or supplies (also known as “in-kind” donations), while well-intended, can clog already complex supply and logistics operations. And they often don’t get to those most in need, or worse - are entirely inappropriate for the context.
People don’t need paper towels thrown at them when they don’t have drinking water. And they don’t need winter coats if they live in a tropical climate. Sending hundreds of pounds of frozen chicken to a disaster zone when there’s no way to keep it frozen, much less transport it to those needing food, can end up being more trouble than help.
The disaster response organizations on the ground have the best understanding of what supplies are needed and where to deploy them - and the best way to support those organizations is through cash donations.
#2: Sometimes it's ok to send stuff, here's how
In some instances, in-kind donations CAN be very effective in an emergency, but they need to be tightly coordinated with nonprofits. In-kind donations are also most helpful if they can have an impact at scale and fill a critical gap; in other words, it is important that these products fill a need that others on the ground cannot fill.
Examples include: providing access to large machinery to clear roads, technicians to restore power and communications infrastructure, aircraft to send relief workers to the frontlines, and free advertising to increase awareness of what’s happening and drive cash donations.
#3: Move quickly
In many emergency situations, early donations are critical for organizations responding on the ground - enabling emergency teams to mobilize and purchase life-saving supplies.
You can launch a gift or match program for your employees in a matter of minutes using the Groundswell platform, immediately allowing your company, via your entire employee base, to send support to disaster relief organizations on the ground.
In a disaster, one large corporate check to a single organization, while impactful for that organization, risks deprioritizing what your employees care most about. Empower all of your employees to move quickly and meet the moment using Groundswell.
#4: Leverage expert vetting
You may want to move quickly, but you also want to protect against fraud and ensure the donations go to worthy recipients. You can move fast knowing that Groundswell handles all the vetting - researching and evaluating the organizations responding to disasters to give you the peace of mind that your donation is going to be well used.
Groundswell is also launching a partnership with GlobalGiving to provide access to thousands of rigorously-vetted international nonprofits responding to disasters that hit beyond U.S. borders.
#5: Think holistically (and empower your employees to respond to disasters holistically)
Responding to a disaster includes far more than repairing homes and infrastructure, or providing shelter and food to those displaced.
Often those who are already vulnerable before disaster strikes (homeless populations, women confronting domestic violence, low-income communities, refugees) are disproportionately impacted by natural disasters, especially if they don’t have immediate access to emergency services or social safety nets. Below are a few examples.
Poverty
- An assessment of the impacts of Hurricane Harvey in Houston shows that low-income neighborhoods experienced far greater damage and longer-term recovery challenges than wealthier areas. For example, only 17% of homeowners held flood insurance policies, which tend to be held by wealthier households.
Domestic Violence
- Disasters also exacerbate violence against women. Studies have shown that in the aftermath of large-scale disasters, intimate partner violence increases. The percentage of women reporting violence increased from 33.6% to 45.2% following Hurricane Katrina.
Mental Health
- Another less visible impact of a disaster is mental health, especially for those who have previously suffered from mental illness. Overwhelming evidence suggests that the stress of living through a disaster can exacerbate prior challenges or create new ones. Many of the mental health challenges that emerge after a disaster present themselves about 18 months later, which is often when most funding support ends.
#6: Support longer-term recovery needs and future resilience
While it is important to support disaster relief nonprofits that are working on the frontlines to quickly provide immediate relief for impacted communities, it is also important to be mindful of the longer-term recovery needs that emerge weeks and even months after a disaster, when most donations dry up. Most donations are made within the first few weeks of a disaster, and then when attention wanes, so does the funding.
Recovery
- Yes, we are motivated to provide relief at the moment to those in need of immediate lifesaving food, water, and shelter. And that support is important for organizations on the ground. But equally critical is the long-term recovery work, like repairing homes, roads, and businesses, which requires immense resources. For example, there are reports that the recovery from Hurricane Ian in September 2022 could be the costliest in history for the state of Florida. Moreover, when the media’s attention goes elsewhere, so do donations. So a donation to support longer-term recovery can have an immense impact.
Calculating the Value of Preparedness & Resilience
- Equally important is investing in disaster preparedness - sometimes known as resilience - that helps communities be better prepared to withstand the impacts of the next natural disaster. This can mean fortifying structures, and also investing in systems for evacuation and communication in a disaster. Preparedness is historically underfunded, but it’s where every dollar can have a huge impact. It is estimated that every $1 invested in preparedness and disaster mitigation can save $6 when a disaster hits. It is also an opportunity to test more innovative prevention and mitigation approaches that governments are less willing to invest in.
Disaster Response: Engage Your Employees
Acknowledge the Crisis
There will likely be an awareness of the disaster -- depending the scale and amount of media attention. But communicating early to your employees via a company-wide email or blog post can help display empathy with those impacted and signal a commitment to step up and support those impacted by the crisis.
Call to Action
Share details of a specific gift or match program for the disaster. This communication can highlight specific nonprofits that your company wants to support, or point employees to other featured nonprofits found on the Groundswell app dashboard specifically focused on responding to the disaster. The company may be offering a special, time-sensitive match as a way to encourage employees to participate.
Report Results
Share the results of the ways that your company came together - collectively - to support communities impacted by the disaster. This might include how many employees participated/donated, the number and amount of donations, the range of nonprofits that received support, etc.
If there is a time-sensitive match that expires at the end of a set time frame, remind employees to log into their Groundswell account to contribute and donate.
Emergency Giving Program: Gifting and Matching
- Keep a portion of your annual budget in reserve so that you can match and/or gift employees to have a greater impact in response to the emergency. You can set up an ad hoc program with Groundswell in a matter of minutes, and meet the moment with urgency and intention.
- Consider launching a combined Gift and Match program - that empowers employees to donate at the moment, while also incentivizing them to contribute their own funds.
- Being immediately responsive and pointing your employees to vetted nonprofits to donate to shows that you are responsive as a company and giving your employees the agency to take action.
AAPI Heritage Month: Donate to These Nonprofits
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPIHM) is a month-long celebration of the history, culture, and achievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). It is observed every May in the United States and is a time to recognize the contributions of AAPIs to American society.
AAPIs are a diverse group of people, with roots in over 50 countries and territories in Asia and the Pacific. They come from a wide range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds and speak over 100 languages. AAPIs are the fastest-growing racial or ethnic group in the United States and makeup over 7% of the population.
AAPIs have a long and rich history in the United States. Asian Americans have played a vital role in the development of the country. AAPIs have served in the military, founded businesses, and made significant contributions to the arts, sciences, and humanities.
AAPI Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the achievements of AAPIs and to learn more about their history and culture. It is also a time to reflect on the challenges that AAPIs have faced, and to recommit to the fight for equality and justice for all.
Here are some ways to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month:
- Attend a cultural event or festival.
- Read a book or watch a movie about Asian American or Pacific Islander culture.
- Learn about the history of AAPIs in the United States.
- Talk to your friends and family about AAPI Heritage Month.
- Get involved in your community and advocate for the rights of AAPIs.
- Donate to the nonprofits supporting AAPIs
This list of nonprofits supports Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders:
Asian Arts Initiative
The Asian Arts Initiative (AAI) is a community-based arts center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1993 by a group of artists and community leaders who were concerned about the lack of opportunities for Asian American artists in the city.
AAI's mission is to "engage artists and everyday people to create art that explores the diverse experiences of Asian Americans, addresses our social context, and imagines and effects positive community change."
The organization offers a variety of programs and services, including:
- Exhibitions of visual art, photography, and film
- Performances of theater, dance, and music
- Educational programs for youth and adults
- Artist residencies and fellowships
- Community-building initiatives
AAI's programs are designed to provide opportunities for Asian American artists to create, exhibit, and perform their work. The organization also works to promote understanding and appreciation of Asian American culture through its educational and community-building initiatives.
AAI is located in the Chinatown North neighborhood of Philadelphia. The organization's headquarters is a former Warner Bros. theater that was renovated in 2005. AAI also has a satellite gallery in the Logan Square neighborhood.
AAI is a non-profit organization that receives funding from a variety of sources, including the city of Philadelphia, the state of Pennsylvania, and private foundations. The organization also relies on the support of its members and donors.
AAI is a vital part of the Asian American community in Philadelphia. The organization provides opportunities for artists to create and share their work, and it works to promote understanding and appreciation of Asian American culture. AAI is a valuable resource for the city of Philadelphia and the region as a whole.
AAPI Equity Alliance
AAPI Equity Alliance (AAPI Equity) is a non-profit organization that advocates for the rights of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) in Los Angeles County. The organization was founded in 1973 as the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council (APPPC), and changed its name to AAPI Equity in 2022.
AAPI Equity's mission is to "advance racial and economic justice for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders through policy advocacy, civic engagement, and capacity building."
The organization works on a variety of issues, including:
- Anti-Asian hate
- Education
- Economic opportunity
- Health
- Housing
- Immigration
- Voting rights
AAPI Equity has a long history of advocacy for AAPIs in Los Angeles County. The organization has played a key role in securing funding for AAPI-serving organizations, passing legislation to protect AAPIs from discrimination, and raising awareness of AAPI issues.
Here are some of AAPI Equity's recent accomplishments:
- In 2021, AAPI Equity played a key role in passing a law that requires the Los Angeles Police Department to collect data on hate crimes against AAPIs.
- In 2022, AAPI Equity helped to secure $10 million in funding for AAPI-serving organizations from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
- AAPI Equity is currently working on a campaign to raise awareness of the rising rates of anti-Asian hate in Los Angeles County.
AAPI Equity is a vital part of the AAPI community in Los Angeles County.
National Asian Pacific Women’s Forum
The National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum (NAPAWF) is a national non-profit organization that advocates for the rights of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women and girls. The organization was founded in 1996 by a group of AAPI women who recognized the need for an organization that would amplify their voices and experiences.
NAPAWF's mission is to "build power with AAPI women and girls to influence critical decisions that affect our lives, our families, and our communities."
The organization works on a variety of issues, including:
- Economic justice
- Education
- Health
- Immigrant and refugee rights
- Reproductive justice
- Violence against women
NAPAWF has a long history of advocacy for AAPI women and girls. The organization has played a key role in passing legislation to protect AAPI women from violence, securing funding for AAPI-serving organizations, and raising awareness of AAPI issues.
NAPAWF is a valuable resource for AAPI women and girls. The organization provides information and resources on a variety of issues, and it works to build power and unity within the AAPI community.
Here are some of NAPAWF's recent accomplishments:
- In 2021, NAPAWF played a key role in passing the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act, which includes important protections for AAPI women.
- In 2022, NAPAWF helped to secure $10 million in funding for AAPI-serving organizations from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
- NAPAWF is currently working on a campaign to raise awareness of the rising rates of anti-Asian hate in the United States.
NAPAWF is a vital part of the AAPI community in the United States.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice
Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC) is a national non-profit organization that advocates for the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). The organization was founded in 1982 by a group of AAPI activists and lawyers who recognized the need for an organization that would fight for the rights of AAPIs.
AAJC's mission is to "promote a fair and equitable society for all by working for civil and human rights that empower Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other underserved communities."
The organization works on a variety of issues, including:
- Anti-Asian hate
- Civil rights
- Criminal justice reform
- Education
- Economic opportunity
- Immigration
- Voting rights
AAJC has a long history of advocacy for AAPIs. The organization has played a key role in passing legislation to protect AAPIs from discrimination, securing funding for AAPI-serving organizations, and raising awareness of AAPI issues.
Here are some of AAJC's recent accomplishments:
- In 2021, AAJC played a key role in passing the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, which provides funding to law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute hate crimes against AAPIs.
- In 2022, AAJC helped to secure $10 million in funding for AAPI-serving organizations from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
- AAJC is currently working on a campaign to raise awareness of the rising rates of anti-Asian hate in the United States.
Asian Art Museum of San Francisco
The Asian Art Museum of San Francisco (AAM) is a museum in San Francisco, California that specializes in Asian art. It is one of the largest Asian art museums in the United States, with a collection of over 18,000 works of art from all major Asian countries and traditions. The museum's collection spans over 6,000 years of history and includes a wide range of art forms, including painting, sculpture, ceramics, textiles, jewelry, and metalwork.
The AAM was founded in 1966 by a group of local philanthropists and art lovers. The museum's first home was in the War Memorial Opera House, but it moved to its current location on Larkin Street in 1989. The new building, designed by architect Gae Aulenti, was praised for its innovative design and its integration of traditional Asian and modern Western architectural elements.
The AAM is a major cultural institution in San Francisco, and it attracts over 500,000 visitors each year. The museum offers a variety of public programs, including lectures, films, and family activities. It also has a robust educational program that reaches out to schools and community groups throughout the Bay Area.
The AAM is committed to making Asian art accessible to everyone. The museum offers free admission to all visitors on the first Tuesday of every month, and it has a variety of programs and resources for people with disabilities. The museum also has a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, and it is working to make its collection and programs more representative of the diversity of the Asian community.
The AAM is a vital part of the cultural landscape of San Francisco, and it is playing an important role in promoting understanding and appreciation of Asian art and culture.
Asian Pacific Fund
The Asian Pacific Fund (APF) is a community development financial institution (CDFI) that invests in Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities in the San Francisco Bay Area. APF was founded in 1984 by a group of API leaders who recognized the need for a financial institution that would provide capital and other resources to API businesses and organizations.
APF is a non-profit organization that is governed by a board of directors that is composed of API leaders from the Bay Area. APF's staff is also majority API. APF is committed to using its resources to support API communities and to promote economic development and opportunity for API individuals and families.
APF offers a variety of financial products and services to API businesses and organizations, including:
- Loans: APF provides loans to API businesses and organizations for a variety of purposes, including working capital, equipment purchases, and real estate development.
- Investments: APF invests in API businesses and organizations through a variety of vehicles, including venture capital, private equity, and debt investments.
- Technical assistance: APF provides technical assistance to API businesses and organizations on a variety of topics, including business planning, marketing, and financial management.
- Education and training: APF provides education and training to API businesses and organizations on a variety of topics, including financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and leadership development.
APF has invested over $1 billion in API communities in the Bay Area. APF's investments have helped to create and support thousands of jobs, and they have helped to revitalize API neighborhoods and communities. APF is a vital part of the economic development and opportunity for API individuals and families in the Bay Area.
Search to Involve Filipino Americans
Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) is a non-profit organization based in Los Angeles, California.
They provide a variety of services to Filipino Americans, including:
- Health and human services, such as case management, counseling, and health education
- Community economic development, such as small business assistance and job training
- Arts and culture programming, such as dance, music, and theater performances
- Civic engagement and advocacy, such as voter registration and voter education
SIPA was founded in 1973 by a group of Filipino American community leaders who were concerned about the lack of resources and services available to Filipino Americans in Los Angeles. SIPA has since grown into a major provider of services to Filipino Americans, and it is one of the largest and most respected Filipino American organizations in the United States.
SIPA's mission is to "enrich the lives of Pilipino Americans and others by providing health and human services, community economic development, arts and culture, and a place where people of all backgrounds can come together to strengthen community." SIPA's vision is to be "a leading force in the empowerment of Pilipino Americans and others, and to create a more just and equitable society for all."
Chinese for Affirmative Action
Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA) is a community-based civil rights organization located in San Francisco Chinatown. We fight for social justice for Chinese Americans and Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in California.
CAA was founded in 1969 by a group of Chinese American community leaders who were concerned about the lack of opportunities for Chinese Americans in education, employment, and housing. CAA has since grown into one of the leading civil rights organizations in the United States.
CAA's mission is to "defend and promote the civil and political rights of Chinese and Asian Americans within the context of and in the interest of, advancing multiracial democracy in the United States."
CAA works on a variety of issues, including:
- Education: CAA advocates for equal access to quality education for all students, regardless of race or ethnicity. CAA also works to close the achievement gap between Asian American and Pacific Islander students and other students.
- Employment: CAA advocates for fair and equal employment opportunities for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. CAA also works to address the issue of wage discrimination against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
- Housing: CAA advocates for fair and affordable housing for all Californians, including Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. CAA also works to address the issue of housing discrimination against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
- Immigration: CAA advocates for comprehensive immigration reform that includes a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants. CAA also works to protect the rights of immigrants, including Asian American and Pacific Islander immigrants.
- Voting rights: CAA advocates for the right to vote for all Californians, including Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. CAA also works to register Asian American and Pacific Islander voters and to educate them about their voting rights.
Employee Matching Gift Programs: A Competitive Advantage in Recruiting Top Talent
Employee matching gifts can be a valuable tool for companies looking to recruit talented employees. These programs allow employees to donate to their favorite charities, and the company will match the donation up to a designated amount.
So how do employee matching gift programs help with recruiting talented employees?
One of the main benefits of employee matching gift programs is that they help attract and retain employees who are passionate about giving back to their communities and have a purpose behind their efforts. By offering this type of program, companies demonstrate their commitment to social responsibility and philanthropy, which can be a significant factor for job seekers when choosing an employer.
In addition to attracting talent with employee benefits, matching gift programs can also help enhance the company's reputation in the community and among potential job candidates. When companies support the causes that their employees care about, they send a message that they value their employees' interests and are invested in making a positive impact beyond their core business.
Finally, implementing an employee matching gift program can also boost employee engagement and morale. Employees who participate in these programs feel empowered and valued, and they may develop a stronger sense of loyalty and commitment to their employer.
Let’s take a deeper look at each of these reasons for using employee matching gift programs to attract and retain talented employees.
How companies demonstrate their commitment to social impact and philanthropy with a corporate matching gift program
Corporate matching gift programs demonstrate a company’s commitment to social impact and philanthropy because these programs involve companies matching donations made by their employees to eligible non-profit organizations, usually on a dollar-for-dollar basis.
Here are some ways in which companies demonstrate their commitment to social impact and philanthropy through their corporate matching gift programs:
1. It makes it easy for employees to donate to causes they care about.
Companies encourage employees to participate in their matching gift program by making it easy and convenient to donate to vetted charities. This can include having a user-friendly mobile application where employees can easily make donations and submit their matching gift requests when they feel inspired rather than waiting to make donations when they’re at a computer.
Removing the friction between being inspired to donate and being able to donate makes it much more likely that employees will participate in the matching program and make a social impact. This is generally a feature of a corporate gift matching program that makes employees feel included, lending to a higher likelihood of retention.
2. It creates an inclusive program that empowers employees to decide where their company’s philanthropy dollars go.
Traditionally, corporate philanthropy embodied a top-down approach, which gave decision-making power to the corporate leaders occupying the c-suite positions. This framework did not lend well to reflecting the diverse views of the company’s entire workforce.
While generally the decisions made by executives were made with noble motivations, they likely did not reflect the diverse interests of the workforce.
For example, while few will argue with donations made to a nonprofit focused on combatting climate change, some employees may be more invested in cancer research because they have firsthand experience.
The modern corporate philanthropy framework gives power to employees and allows them to decide where donation dollars should head towards.
At Groundswell, we believe impact is local. We love to tout the phrase “give where you live” because your dollars make the biggest impact when given to the organizations making a difference in local communities.
An inclusive corporate gift matching program empowers employees to make key decisions on who should receive their support, lending to diverse representation in its application when compared with traditional top-down methods of corporate philanthropy.
3. Setting ambitious giving goals and milestones reminds team members of their social impact.
Companies that set ambitious goals for their matching gift programs, such as a target dollar amount or percentage of employee participation, have a higher likelihood of building a strong company culture around giving. It also allows companies to showcase their effort both internally and publicly.
An employee gift matching program can help to motivate employees and demonstrate the company's commitment to social impact and philanthropy.
This lends well to attracting employees who are deliberate about their social impact while building trust in the company.
Enhancing a company’s reputation and public image with employee matching gifts
Simply put, any effort a company makes that aligns with corporate social responsibility best practices are generally well received by the public. That same sentiment resonates with candidates for employment, giving companies a leg-up in the war for talent when pitted against other businesses that may not offer the same employee benefit.
When employees use their employee gift matching program, the company’s social impact in the community grows. Companies making a social impact likely build a reputation around generosity and philanthropy. Those companies become known for their impact on the community, likely attracting both customers and talented employees who want to be associated with a socially responsible company.
In a world where social media gives everyone a public platform, reputation is a key component in attracting and retaining hardworking employees who align with those corporate values.
Boosting employee engagement by subsidizing social impact
In March of 2023, Groundswell surveyed 600 employees working at companies with more than 50 employees. The results revealed that 64% of employees we polled believe they are more motivated to work more effectively and efficiently when their company’s philanthropy aligns with their values.
The results also revealed that 66% of the employees we polled said receiving a charitable giving stipend would inspire them to be more charitable.
From this study, we can deduce that employees who are offered to participate in an employee gift matching program are more likely to put more effort into their work than those who aren’t offered a program. Additionally, employees are also likely to contribute to a more charitable workplace culture when offered a stipend for their charitable giving.
Subsidizing employee social impact can boost employee engagement and lend to a more involved workplace culture.
Overall, employee matching gift programs can be a powerful tool for companies looking to attract and retain talented employees. By investing in their employees' philanthropic interests and demonstrating a commitment to social responsibility, companies can differentiate themselves in the job market and build a more engaged and loyal workforce.
Read other related articles:
National Volunteering Week: Nonprofits to Support
National Volunteering Week is an annual event that takes place in many countries around the world, usually during the month of April.
It is a week-long celebration of volunteering and its importance in society, and it provides an opportunity for organizations and communities to recognize and thank volunteers for their contributions.
During National Volunteering Week, there are often a variety of events and activities organized to promote volunteering and encourage more people to get involved. These may include volunteer fairs, community service projects, and recognition ceremonies for outstanding volunteers.
The week also serves as a reminder of the many different ways that people can volunteer their time and skills, from working with non-profit organizations to helping out in schools, hospitals, and other community organizations.
Overall, National Volunteering Week is a great opportunity for people to come together and celebrate the spirit of volunteering, and encourage others to get involved and make a positive difference in their communities.
Here is a list of nonprofit organizations to support for National Volunteering Week:
Team Rubicon
Team Rubicon is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 2010 by two military veterans, Jake Wood and William McNulty. The organization's mission is to provide disaster relief and humanitarian aid to people affected by natural disasters and other crises.
Team Rubicon is unique in that it is primarily staffed by military veterans who have experience in disaster response and recovery operations. The organization leverages the skills and expertise of these veterans to provide effective and efficient disaster relief efforts.
The organization's disaster response efforts include search and rescue, debris removal, and home repairs. In addition to responding to disasters in the United States, Team Rubicon has also provided aid to people affected by natural disasters and conflicts in countries around the world, including Haiti, Nepal, and the Philippines.
Overall, Team Rubicon's unique approach to disaster relief and humanitarian aid has made it a highly respected and effective organization in the nonprofit sector.
Points of Light
Points of Light is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1990 by former U.S. President George H.W. Bush. The organization's mission is to inspire, equip, and mobilize people to take action that changes the world.
Points of Light operates in over 200 countries and territories. The organization works with both individuals and organizations to promote volunteerism, community engagement, and social responsibility.
The organization offers a variety of programs and initiatives to support these goals, including:
- The Points of Light Global Network: This network includes hundreds of organizations and individuals who are working to promote volunteerism and civic engagement in their communities around the world.
- The Civic Accelerator: This program provides training and support for social entrepreneurs who are working to address important social and environmental issues.
- The Daily Point of Light Award: This award recognizes individuals and organizations who are making a difference in their communities through volunteerism and service.
- The Conference on Volunteering and Service: This annual conference brings together thousands of leaders and practitioners from the nonprofit, corporate, and government sectors to share ideas and best practices for promoting volunteerism and community engagement.
Through its various programs and initiatives, Points of Light has become a leading organization in the nonprofit sector, helping to inspire and empower people around the world to take action and make a positive difference in their communities.
Operation Gratitude
Operation Gratitude is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 2003 by Carolyn Blashek. The organization's mission is to express gratitude to U.S. military personnel, veterans, and their families by sending care packages and letters of appreciation.
Since its founding, Operation Gratitude has shipped over 3.7 million care packages to U.S. service members deployed overseas and to their families and veterans at home. The care packages include a variety of items, such as snacks, hygiene products, entertainment items, and letters of appreciation from volunteers and supporters.
In addition to sending care packages, Operation Gratitude also organizes events and programs to support military personnel and their families. These programs include the Battalion Buddy Program, which provides stuffed animals to children of deployed service members, and the Veterans Day Parade Float, which honors veterans and their families.
Operation Gratitude relies on the support of volunteers and donors to carry out its mission. Volunteers from across the country contribute their time and skills to assemble care packages and write letters of appreciation. Donors provide the funding and materials needed to create the care packages and support the organization's programs.
Overall, Operation Gratitude is a highly respected and effective nonprofit organization that has made a significant impact in supporting U.S. military personnel, veterans, and their families.
Youth Volunteer Corps
Youth Volunteer Corps (YVC) is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1987 with the mission of engaging youth ages 11-18 in meaningful volunteer service. The organization's goal is to inspire a lifetime commitment to service and to develop the skills and abilities of young people to become effective community leaders.
YVC operates in over 50 communities across the United States and Canada, and partners with schools, youth-serving organizations, and community groups to provide service opportunities for young people. YVC programs typically consist of a variety of service projects that focus on issues such as hunger and homelessness, the environment, and senior care.
The organization emphasizes the importance of meaningful service experiences. It works to ensure that youth have the opportunity to engage in service that is both rewarding and impactful. YVC programs also aim to build leadership skills and promote personal growth and development through activities such as team building, leadership training, and reflection.
YVC also offers a number of special initiatives and programs, such as the YVC Global Youth Service Day, which is a day of service that takes place each year in April, and the YVC Summer of Service, which is a summer program that provides intensive service experiences for young people.
Overall, Youth Volunteer Corps is a highly respected and effective nonprofit organization that has helped to inspire and engage thousands of young people in meaningful volunteer service. By promoting a lifelong commitment to service and leadership, YVC is helping to create a better future for communities across North America.
VolunteerNow
VolunteerNow is a nonprofit organization based in Dallas, Texas, that provides services and resources to support volunteerism and community engagement. The organization's mission is to connect people with meaningful volunteer opportunities and to build capacity for effective community engagement.
VolunteerNow offers a variety of services to support volunteerism, including a volunteer matching platform that connects individuals and groups with volunteer opportunities in their communities. The organization also provides training and support for nonprofit organizations and community groups, to help them build their capacity to engage volunteers effectively.
In addition to its volunteer matching and capacity-building services, VolunteerNow also provides a variety of other resources to support community engagement. These resources include a volunteer center accreditation program, which recognizes organizations that meet certain standards for volunteer engagement, and a corporate volunteerism program that helps companies develop and implement effective employee volunteer programs.
VolunteerNow is also actively involved in promoting and supporting national days of service, such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service and National Volunteer Week, and works to raise awareness of the importance of volunteerism and community engagement.
Overall, VolunteerNow is a highly respected and effective nonprofit organization that has made a significant impact in promoting volunteerism and community engagement in the Dallas area and beyond. By connecting people with meaningful service opportunities and building the capacity of nonprofit organizations and community groups, VolunteerNow is helping to create a stronger and more engaged community.
Volunteers of America
Volunteers of America (VOA) is a national nonprofit organization that was founded in 1896 with the mission of serving people in need and creating opportunities for individuals and communities to thrive. The organization provides a wide range of services to help people in need, including affordable housing, job training, and employment services, substance abuse treatment, and mental health services.
VOA operates in over 400 communities across the United States and serves more than 1.5 million people each year. The organization's programs and services are designed to address a variety of social and economic issues, including poverty, homelessness, addiction, and mental illness.
One of the organization's core programs is its affordable housing services, which include the development and management of low-income housing units for individuals and families in need. VOA also provides a range of support services for residents of its housing units, such as case management, employment services, and life skills training.
In addition to its housing services, VOA also provides a variety of other programs and services, including job training and employment services, substance abuse and mental health treatment, and services for veterans and their families. The organization's programs are designed to address the unique needs of the individuals and communities it serves, delivered with compassion, respect, and a commitment to excellence.
Overall, Volunteers of America is a highly respected and effective nonprofit organization that has made a significant impact in improving the lives of people in need across the United States.
Adopt One Block
Adopt One Block is a nonprofit organization that encourages individuals and groups to take responsibility for the cleanliness and upkeep of their local communities. The organization's mission is to promote a sense of civic pride and responsibility by empowering individuals and groups to take ownership of their neighborhoods and to work together to keep them clean and well-maintained.
Adopt One Block encourages individuals and groups to "adopt" a block in their community, which involves committing to keeping that block clean and free of litter and debris. The organization provides resources and support to help adopters organize cleanup efforts and to connect with other individuals and groups who are also committed to keeping their neighborhoods clean.
In addition to its focus on community cleanups, Adopt One Block also works to promote environmental sustainability by encouraging the use of reusable materials and reducing waste. The organization also supports education and outreach efforts to raise awareness about the importance of community involvement in maintaining clean and healthy neighborhoods.
By promoting a sense of civic pride and responsibility, Adopt One Block is helping to create stronger, more connected, and more vibrant neighborhoods.
All Hands and Hearts
All Hands and Hearts is a nonprofit organization that provides disaster relief and recovery services in communities affected by natural disasters and other crises around the world. The organization's mission is to help communities recover from disasters and to build back stronger and more resilient than before.
All Hands and Hearts provides a range of services to support disaster relief and recovery efforts, including debris removal, home and school rebuilding, and community development. The organization relies heavily on volunteers, both local and international, to provide these services. Volunteers receive training and support to ensure that they can contribute effectively to relief efforts.
One of the unique features of All Hands and Hearts is its focus on long-term recovery and rebuilding. The organization recognizes that the effects of natural disasters and other crises can be long-lasting, and works to support communities in their efforts to rebuild and become more resilient in the face of future disasters.
All Hands and Hearts has responded to disasters and crises around the world, including hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and wildfires.
The organization has a strong track record of delivering effective and impactful relief and recovery services and has received numerous awards and accolades for its work.
Spark the Change Colorado
Spark the Change Colorado is a nonprofit organization that works to empower young people and create positive change in communities across Colorado. The organization's mission is to inspire and support youth-led service projects that address critical community needs and help to build stronger, more connected communities.
Spark the Change Colorado works with a wide range of community partners, including schools, nonprofit organizations, and businesses, to identify community needs and develop service projects that are led and implemented by young people. The organization provides resources, training, and support to help young people develop leadership skills, plan and implement service projects, and make a positive impact in their communities.
One of the unique features of Spark the Change Colorado is its focus on youth-led service projects. By empowering young people to take a leadership role in service projects, the organization is helping to build a new generation of community leaders who are committed to creating positive change and making a difference in their communities.
Spark the Change Colorado has supported a wide range of service projects in communities across the state, including projects focused on environmental sustainability, health and wellness, and social justice.
Disaster Relief Response: Nonprofit Organizations
There are many nonprofit organizations working to provide disaster relief response that impacts communities in the United States. Many of these organizations also respond to disasters outside the U.S. Listed below is a selection of nonprofits you can find on the Groundswell app:
SBP - St. Bernard's Parish
SBP is a nationally recognized disaster resilience and recovery organization whose mission is to shrink the time between disaster and recovery. Founded in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina, SBP has grown to an organization with more than 80 employees and 240 AmeriCorps members. Still headquartered in New Orleans, SBP has nine additional active operating sites around the country.
Convoy of Hope
Convoy of Hope is an American nonprofit humanitarian and disaster relief organization that provides food, supplies, and humanitarian services to impoverished or otherwise needy populations throughout the world.
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross, also known as The American National Red Cross, is a non-profit humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief, and disaster preparedness education in the United States.
Operation BBQ Relief
Armed with a caravan of cooks, mobile pits, kitchens, and volunteers, Operation BBQ Relief delivers the healing power of BBQ in times of need, feeding first responders and communities affected by natural disasters along with year-round efforts to fight hunger through The Always Serving Project® and Camp OBR™ programs.
Team Rubicon
Team Rubicon’s mission is to provide disaster relief response to those affected by natural disasters, no matter when or where they strike. By pairing the skills and experiences of military veterans with first responders, medical professionals, and technology solutions, Team Rubicon aims to provide the greatest service and impact possible. Founded in 2010, Team Rubicon has deployed across the United States and around the world to provide immediate relief to those impacted by disasters and humanitarian crises.
World Central Kitchen
World Central Kitchen uses the power of food to nourish communities and strengthen economies in times of crisis and beyond. WCK is first on the frontlines, providing meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises. We build resilient food systems with locally-led solutions.
All Hands And Hearts
All Hands and Hearts is an organization committed to effectively and efficiently addressing the immediate and long-term needs of global communities impacted by disasters. All Hands and Hearts arrives early for the first response and stays late to rebuild schools and homes in a disaster-resilient way.
Doctors Without Borders
Doctors Without Borders provide medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare. Their teams are made up of tens of thousands of health professionals, and logistic and administrative staff - most of them hired locally. Their actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of impartiality, independence, and neutrality.
International Rescue Committee
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises and helps people affected by these crises—including the climate crisis—to survive, recover and rebuild their lives.
International Medical Corps
International Medical Corps is a global, nonprofit, humanitarian aid organization dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering by providing emergency medical services, as well as healthcare training and development programs, to those affected by disaster, disease or conflict.
Mercy Corps
Mercy Corps acts as a connector, a collaborator, a catalyst, and an advocate for change. For 40 years and in more than 40 countries, Mercy Corps has helped communities forge new paths to prosperity in the face of disaster, poverty, and the impacts of climate change.
Direct Relief
Direct Relief is a nonprofit humanitarian organization that provides emergency medical assistance and disaster relief response in the United States and internationally. Direct Relief works to expand access to medicine and healthcare by equipping doctors and nurses with lifesaving medical resources.
International Committee of the Red Cross
Established in 1863, the ICRC operates worldwide, helping people affected by conflict and armed violence and promoting laws that protect victims of war. An independent and neutral organization, its mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We are based in Geneva, Switzerland, and employ over 20,000 people in more than 100 countries. The ICRC is funded mainly by voluntary donations from governments and from National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Americares
Americares saves lives and improves health for people affected by poverty or disaster so they can reach their full potential. Americares meets urgent health needs of survivors in shelters and those cut off from care, often in remote areas.
CARE
CARE works around the globe to save lives, defeat poverty and achieve social justice. Whether it is a sudden emergency or an ongoing crisis, CARE works to aid people in need around the world.
Donate to any of these organizations using the Groundswell app.
Earth Day: Celebrate with These Nonprofit Organizations
As the world celebrates Earth Day on April 22, we are shining a spotlight on one of the greatest threats to this planet: climate change. It is an issue that the United Nations calls a defining crisis of our time. And many Americans agree, with over 60% believing that governments are not doing enough to address climate change. In five of the last six years, costs from climate and weather-related disasters have exceeded $100 billion annually, intensifying the need to support nonprofits focused on tackling the challenges head on.
Consider supporting one of these high-impact climate change charities fighting to save our planet.
The Clean Air Task Force (CATF)
The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) is a nonprofit environmental organization that focuses on reducing air pollution and promoting clean energy solutions. The organization was founded in 1996 and is based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
What does Clean Air Task Force do?
CATF works to advance policies and technologies that can reduce harmful air pollutants, including greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. They collaborate with government agencies, industry leaders, and other organizations to promote clean energy solutions such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and the electrification of transportation.
In addition to policy advocacy, CATF also conducts scientific research and analysis to identify the most effective solutions for reducing air pollution and improving public health. They work to educate the public and raise awareness about the importance of clean air and a healthy environment.
What has Clean Air Task Force accomplished?
Some of CATF's notable achievements include contributing to the development of the Acid Rain Program in the United States, which successfully reduced sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from power plants. They have also been involved in the development of clean energy policies in several states, including Massachusetts and New York.
The Clean Air Task Force is a respected and influential organization that is making a significant impact on reducing air pollution and promoting clean energy solutions.
Action for the Climate Emergency
Action for the Climate Emergency (ACE) is a UK-based grassroots organization focused on climate change activism and advocating for government action on the climate crisis. The organization was founded in 2019 and has since grown to become a national network of local groups.
What is Action for Climate Emergency’s mission?
ACE's mission is to build a mass movement of people demanding urgent action on the climate emergency. They work to mobilize communities and individuals to take action through protests, lobbying, and other forms of direct action. The organization also promotes education and awareness-raising around climate issues, with a focus on empowering individuals and communities to take positive action.
What does Action for Climate Emergency do?
ACE's campaigns and initiatives focus on a range of issues related to the climate crisis, including renewable energy, divestment from fossil fuels, and ending government subsidies for the fossil fuel industry. They also advocate for policies that would support a just transition to a low-carbon economy, such as a Green New Deal.
In addition to their direct action campaigns, ACE also provides resources and support for local climate groups across the UK. They offer training, toolkits, and other resources to help groups organize effective campaigns and actions.
Overall, Action for the Climate Emergency is an important voice in the climate movement, working to build a powerful, grassroots movement for urgent action on the climate crisis.
Carbon 180
Carbon 180 is a US-based nonprofit organization focused on developing and promoting carbon removal solutions to address climate change. The organization was founded in 2015 and is based in Oakland, California.
What does Carbon 180 do?
Carbon 180's mission is to accelerate the transition to a net-zero carbon economy by promoting the development and deployment of carbon removal solutions. They work with policymakers, businesses, and other organizations to raise awareness about the importance of carbon removal and to advocate for policies that support its development.
The organization conducts research and analysis to identify the most promising carbon removal technologies and strategies and works to promote their deployment at scale. Carbon 180 also works to support the growth of the carbon removal industry by providing funding, technical assistance, and other forms of support to startups and other organizations working on carbon removal solutions.
What does Carbon 180 focus on?
Carbon 180's work is focused on three main areas: policy, innovation, and market development. They advocate for policies that support carbon removal, work to accelerate innovation in the field, and promote the development of markets for carbon removal solutions.
Overall, Carbon 180 is an important organization in the effort to address climate change by promoting the development and deployment of carbon removal solutions. Their work is helping to accelerate the transition to a net-zero carbon economy and reduce the impact of greenhouse gas emissions on the environment.
Sunrise Movement Education Fund
The Sunrise Movement Education Fund is a US-based nonprofit organization that focuses on climate advocacy and education. The organization was founded in 2017 and is based in New York City.
What does Sunrise Movement Education Fund do?
The Sunrise Movement Education Fund's mission is to build a movement of young people and their allies to advocate for bold action on climate change. They work to engage young people in the political process and to promote policies that address the climate crisis.
Where does Sunrise Movement Education focus its efforts?
The organization's work is focused on several key areas. They advocate for policies that support a just transition to a clean energy economy, including a Green New Deal. They also work to engage young people in the political process by organizing events, rallies, and other forms of activism.
The Sunrise Movement Education Fund also provides education and training for young people on climate issues and advocacy. They offer workshops, training, and other resources to help young people learn about the climate crisis and how to advocate for change.
The organization is affiliated with the larger Sunrise Movement, which is a grassroots organization that works to mobilize young people to take action on climate change. The Sunrise Movement Education Fund provides support for the Sunrise Movement's advocacy and organizing work.
The Sunrise Movement Education Fund is an important organization in the climate movement, working to engage young people in the political process and to advocate for bold action on climate change.
Conservation International
Conservation International (CI) is a US-based nonprofit environmental organization that is focused on protecting the natural world and promoting sustainable development. The organization was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.
What is Conservation International’s mission?
CI's mission is to protect nature for the benefit of humanity. They work to conserve biodiversity, protect ecosystems, and promote sustainable development around the world. The organization's work is focused on four key areas: oceans, freshwater, climate, and biodiversity.
What does Conservation International do?
CI collaborates with governments, businesses, and communities to promote conservation and sustainable development. They work to promote policies that support conservation and sustainable development and provide technical assistance and other forms of support to help implement those policies.
The organization also conducts scientific research to understand the impacts of human activity on the natural world, and to identify strategies for conserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable development. They work to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote public engagement in conservation efforts.
CI's work is focused on several key initiatives, including the protection of tropical forests, the conservation of marine ecosystems, and the promotion of sustainable agriculture and fisheries. The organization has also been involved in the development of several international agreements related to conservation and sustainable development, including the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Paris Agreement on climate change.
Conservation International is an important organization in the global environmental movement, working to protect the natural world and promote sustainable development for the benefit of both people and the planet.
Climate Solutions Accelerator
The Climate Solutions Accelerator is a US-based nonprofit organization that focuses on accelerating the transition to a clean energy economy and addressing the climate crisis. The organization was founded in 2018 and is based in Charlottesville, Virginia.
What is Climate Solution Accelerator’s mission?
The Climate Solutions Accelerator's mission is to mobilize communities and promote policies that will lead to a rapid and just transition to a sustainable, clean energy economy. They work to promote the development and deployment of clean energy technologies and to support the growth of clean energy jobs and businesses.
What does Climate Solution Accelerator focus on?
The organization's work is focused on several key areas, including transportation, buildings, renewable energy, and climate policy. They advocate for policies that support the adoption of clean energy technologies and provide technical assistance and other forms of support to help communities and businesses transition to a clean energy economy.
The Climate Solutions Accelerator also works to raise awareness about the urgency of the climate crisis and the need for action. They organize events, workshops, and other educational programs to engage the public and promote climate action.
In addition to their advocacy work, the Climate Solutions Accelerator provides funding and support for clean energy startups and other organizations working on climate solutions. They also collaborate with other organizations and networks working on climate issues to promote collective action and impact.
The Climate Solutions Accelerator is an important organization in the effort to address the climate crisis and accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy. Their work is helping to promote policies and solutions that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote a more sustainable, equitable future for all.
Climate Resolve
Climate Resolve is a US-based nonprofit organization that focuses on addressing the impacts of climate change and promoting resilience in the face of climate-related risks. The organization was founded in 2010 and is based in Los Angeles, California.
What is Climate Resolve’s mission?
Climate Resolve's mission is to promote climate resilience and equity in communities, ecosystems, and economies. They work to advance policies and solutions that can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, prepare for and adapt to the impacts of climate change, and promote social and economic equity in the face of climate risks.
Where does Climate Resolve focus its efforts?
The organization's work is focused on several key areas, including water, energy, transportation, and land use. They work to promote policies and practices that can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote resilience in these areas, while also addressing the needs of vulnerable communities and ecosystems.
Climate Resolve also conducts research and analysis to better understand the impacts of climate change and the effectiveness of different policy solutions. They work to promote public awareness and engagement on climate issues and to build networks and collaborations that can help advance climate action.
In addition to their advocacy work, Climate Resolve provides technical assistance and other forms of support to help communities and businesses prepare for and adapt to the impacts of climate change. They work with local governments, businesses, and community organizations to identify climate risks and develop strategies to address them.
Climate Resolve is an important organization in the effort to address the impacts of climate change and promote resilience in the face of climate risks. Their work is helping to promote policies and solutions that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect vulnerable communities and ecosystems, and build a more sustainable, equitable future.
The Praxis Project
The Praxis Project is a US-based nonprofit organization that works to build healthy, just, and equitable communities. The organization was founded in 2002 and is based in Oakland, California.
What is the Praxis Project’s mission?
The Praxis Project's mission is to advance community-driven solutions for social, economic, and environmental justice. They work to promote policies and practices that can help reduce health disparities and address the underlying social and economic determinants of health.
What does Praxis Project do?
The organization's work is focused on several key areas, including food and agriculture, health care, environmental justice, and social justice. They work with grassroots organizations and community leaders to develop and implement strategies that can improve community health and well-being.
The Praxis Project also provides training, technical assistance, and other forms of support to help build the capacity of community-based organizations to address health and social justice issues. They work to promote community engagement and leadership in decision-making processes and to build networks and collaborations that can help advance social and environmental justice.
In addition to their domestic work, The Praxis Project also engages in international advocacy and capacity-building efforts. They work to promote global health equity and to support community-led solutions to health and social justice issues around the world.
Overall, The Praxis Project is an important organization in the effort to promote healthy, just, and equitable communities. Their work is helping to address the underlying social and economic determinants of health and to build a more just and sustainable future for all.
The National Resources Defense Council
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is a US-based nonprofit environmental organization that works to protect the environment and promote sustainable solutions to environmental challenges. The organization was founded in 1970 and is based in New York City, with offices across the United States and around the world.
What is National Resources Defense Council’s mission?
The NRDC's mission is to safeguard the earth—its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. They work to promote policies and practices that can help protect the environment, promote clean energy and sustainable solutions, and protect the health and well-being of communities around the world.
What does the NRDC do?
The organization's work is focused on several key areas, including climate and clean energy, water and oceans, wildlife and habitat, and health and communities. They engage in research, advocacy, and litigation to promote environmental protection and sustainable solutions to environmental challenges.
The NRDC also works to promote public awareness and engagement on environmental issues and to build partnerships and collaborations with other organizations and stakeholders. They provide resources and support to individuals, businesses, and communities to help them reduce their environmental impact and promote sustainable practices.
In addition to their domestic work, the NRDC engages in international advocacy and capacity-building efforts. They work to promote global environmental protection and support community-led solutions to environmental challenges around the world.
Overall, the NRDC is an important organization in the effort to protect the environment and promote sustainable solutions to environmental challenges. Their work is helping to promote policies and practices that can protect the health and well-being of communities around the world, and to build a more sustainable future for all.
Project Drawdown
Project Drawdown is a research and communications organization that focuses on identifying and promoting the most effective solutions to reverse global warming. The organization was founded in 2014 and is based in San Francisco, California.
What is Project Drawdown’s mission?
The mission of Project Drawdown is to help the world reach "drawdown," the point at which greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere begin to decline. They work to identify and promote a wide range of solutions that can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and draw carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.
Project Drawdown conducts research and analysis to identify and rank the most effective solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reversing global warming. They publish this research in their annual "Drawdown Review," which ranks the top 100 solutions for addressing climate change.
What does Project Drawdown focus on most?
The organization's work is focused on several key areas, including energy, transportation, buildings, food and agriculture, land use, and materials. They work with businesses, governments, and other organizations to promote the adoption of these solutions and to help accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.
In addition to their research and advocacy work, Project Drawdown also provides resources and support to individuals, communities, and organizations to help them take action on climate change. They provide educational materials, tools, and resources to help people reduce their carbon footprint and promote sustainable solutions in their daily lives.
Overall, Project Drawdown is an important organization in the effort to reverse global warming and address the impacts of climate change. Their work is helping to identify and promote the most effective solutions for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building a more sustainable future for all.
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Hunger Awareness: Supporting Nonprofits
Hunger awareness campaigns are initiatives aimed at raising awareness about the issue of hunger and food insecurity, both locally and globally. These campaigns aim to educate people about the extent of the problem, its causes and consequences, and to inspire individuals and communities to take action to address it.
Hunger awareness campaigns can take various forms, including social media campaigns, public service announcements, fundraising events, food drives, and community outreach programs. They often involve collaboration between government agencies, non-profit organizations, and the private sector.
The primary goal of these campaigns is to draw attention to the problem of hunger, which affects millions of people worldwide. According to the United Nations, an estimated 690 million people suffered from hunger in 2019. Hunger is a complex issue that is often caused by poverty, conflict, climate change, and other factors, and its impact is felt by individuals and communities around the world.
Hunger awareness campaigns aim to highlight the fact that hunger is a solvable problem, and that individuals and communities can play a role in addressing it.
By supporting organizations that provide food aid, advocating for policies that promote food security, and reducing food waste, we can work towards a future where no one goes hungry.
Here’s a list of nonprofits at the front lines of tackling world hunger:
Second Harvest Heartland
Second Harvest Heartland is a non-profit organization based in Minnesota, United States, that aims to end hunger through community partnerships and innovative programs. Founded in 2001, Second Harvest Heartland is a member of Feeding America, a national network of food banks working to end hunger across the country.
Second Harvest Heartland's mission is to "end hunger through community partnerships." To achieve this, the organization collects surplus food and other resources from various sources, including grocery stores, restaurants, and food manufacturers. These donations are then distributed to a network of more than 1,000 food shelves, meal programs, and other hunger-relief organizations across Minnesota and western Wisconsin.
In addition to its food distribution efforts, Second Harvest Heartland also offers a variety of programs to address the root causes of hunger, such as job training, nutrition education, and advocacy initiatives. These programs aim to empower individuals and communities to take action against hunger and poverty.
Second Harvest Heartland is one of the largest food banks in the United States, distributing more than 103 million meals in 2020 to individuals and families facing hunger. The organization is committed to working towards a future where every person has access to the nutritious food they need to thrive.
Houston Food Bank
Houston Food Bank is a non-profit organization based in Houston, Texas, that works to alleviate hunger and food insecurity in the local community. Founded in 1982, Houston Food Bank is a member of Feeding America, a national network of food banks working to end hunger across the country.
Houston Food Bank's mission is to "lead the fight against hunger" by providing access to nutritious food and other resources to individuals and families in need. The organization operates a 308,000 square-foot warehouse and distribution center, where it collects and distributes donated food and grocery items to a network of more than 1,500 hunger-relief organizations across southeast Texas.
In addition to its food distribution efforts, Houston Food Bank offers a variety of programs and services to address the root causes of hunger, such as job training, nutrition education, and advocacy initiatives. These programs aim to empower individuals and communities to take action against hunger and poverty.
Houston Food Bank is one of the largest food banks in the United States, distributing more than 159 million meals in 2020 to individuals and families facing hunger. The organization is committed to working towards a future where every person has access to the nutritious food they need to thrive.
Dare to Care
Dare to Care is a non-profit organization based in Louisville, Kentucky, that works to end hunger and food insecurity in the local community. Founded in 1971, Dare to Care partners with more than 200 local agencies, including food pantries, shelters, and community centers, to distribute food and other resources to individuals and families in need.
Dare to Care's mission is to "lead our community to feed the hungry and conquer the cycle of need." To achieve this, the organization operates a 190,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution center, where it collects and distributes donated food and grocery items to its partner agencies across the region.
In addition to its food distribution efforts, Dare to Care offers a variety of programs and services to address the root causes of hunger, such as job training, nutrition education, and advocacy initiatives. These programs aim to empower individuals and communities to take action against hunger and poverty.
Dare to Care is one of the largest food banks in Kentucky, distributing more than 20 million meals in 2020 to individuals and families facing hunger. The organization is committed to working towards a future where every person has access to the nutritious food they need to thrive.
Neighborhood House
Neighborhood House is a non-profit organization based in St. Paul, Minnesota, that works to empower individuals and families in the local community through education, advocacy, and support services. Founded in 1897, Neighborhood House offers a range of programs and services that aim to address the root causes of poverty and promote social and economic justice.
Neighborhood House's mission is to "help people gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence to thrive in diverse communities." The organization provides a variety of services to support individuals and families, including adult education and job training programs, youth development programs, health and wellness services, and immigrant and refugee support services.
Neighborhood House also operates a food shelf and distribution program that provides emergency food assistance to individuals and families facing hunger. The organization partners with local food banks and grocery stores to collect and distribute food to those in need.
Neighborhood House serves more than 14,000 individuals and families each year, with a focus on supporting underserved communities and addressing systemic barriers to social and economic opportunity. The organization is committed to promoting equity and social justice in the St. Paul community and beyond.
Second Harvest Food Bank
Second Harvest Food Bank is a non-profit organization based in Silicon Valley, California, that works to alleviate hunger and food insecurity in the local community. Founded in 1974, Second Harvest Food Bank is a member of Feeding America, a national network of food banks working to end hunger across the United States.
Second Harvest Food Bank's mission is to "lead the community to ensure that anyone who needs a healthy meal can get one." To achieve this, the organization operates a 75,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution center, where it collects and distributes donated food and grocery items to a network of more than 300 partner agencies, including food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters, across Santa Clara and San Mateo counties.
In addition to its food distribution efforts, Second Harvest Food Bank offers a variety of programs and services to address the root causes of hunger, such as job training, nutrition education, and advocacy initiatives. These programs aim to empower individuals and communities to take action against hunger and poverty.
Second Harvest Food Bank is one of the largest food banks in the San Francisco Bay Area, distributing more than 94 million pounds of food in 2020 to individuals and families facing hunger. The organization is committed to working towards a future where every person has access to the nutritious food they need to thrive.
Northwest Harvest
Northwest Harvest is a non-profit organization based in Seattle, Washington, that works to end hunger in the local community. Founded in 1967, Northwest Harvest is a member of Feeding America, a national network of food banks working to end hunger across the United States.
Northwest Harvest's mission is to "lead the fight for hungry people statewide to have access to nutritious food while respecting their dignity and promoting good health." To achieve this, the organization operates a statewide network of food banks, meal programs, and other partner agencies to distribute donated food and grocery items to individuals and families in need.
In addition to its food distribution efforts, Northwest Harvest offers a variety of programs and services to address the root causes of hunger, such as job training, nutrition education, and advocacy initiatives. These programs aim to empower individuals and communities to take action against hunger and poverty.
Northwest Harvest is one of the largest food banks in Washington State, distributing more than 32 million meals in 2020 to individuals and families facing hunger. The organization is committed to working towards a future where every person has access to the nutritious food they need to thrive.
Feeding America
Feeding America is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States, with a network of 200 food banks and 60,000 partner agencies that work together to fight hunger and food insecurity in local communities. Founded in 1979, Feeding America operates as a nationwide network of charitable organizations that distribute donated food and grocery items to individuals and families in need.
Feeding America's mission is to "feed America's hungry through a nationwide network of member food banks and engage our country in the fight to end hunger." The organization works to address hunger and poverty through a variety of programs and initiatives, including food distribution, disaster relief, child hunger programs, nutrition education, and advocacy efforts.
Feeding America's network of food banks and partner agencies serve every county in the United States, providing access to nutritious food for millions of Americans each year. In 2020, the organization distributed more than 6 billion meals to individuals and families facing hunger.
In addition to its food distribution efforts, Feeding America is committed to addressing the root causes of hunger and advocating for policies and programs that promote food security and economic opportunity for all. The organization works with lawmakers, corporations, and community partners to promote solutions that can help end hunger and poverty in the United States.
Food Forward
Food Forward is a non-profit organization based in Los Angeles, California, that works to reduce food waste and increase food access in the local community. Founded in 2009, Food Forward collects surplus fresh produce from local farmers' markets, wholesalers, and backyard fruit trees, and distributes it to local food banks, pantries, and other hunger relief organizations.
Food Forward's mission is to "fight hunger and prevent food waste by rescuing fresh surplus produce, connecting this abundance with people in need and inspiring others to do the same." The organization's produce recovery and distribution program, known as the "Harvest Program," is run entirely by volunteers who collect and transport donated produce to hunger relief organizations across Southern California.
In addition to its produce recovery efforts, Food Forward also offers a variety of programs and initiatives aimed at promoting food justice and sustainability. These include education and outreach programs, community-building events, and advocacy initiatives that aim to address systemic issues of food insecurity and food waste.
Since its founding, Food Forward has rescued more than 100 million pounds of fresh produce and donated it to hunger relief organizations in Southern California. The organization is committed to creating a more equitable and sustainable food system, where everyone has access to healthy, nutritious food.
Hollywood Food Coalition
The Hollywood Food Coalition is a non-profit organization based in Los Angeles, California, that works to provide meals and other essential services to people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity in the local community. Founded in 1987, the organization operates a nightly meal service, seven days a week, serving hot, nutritious meals to individuals and families in need.
The Hollywood Food Coalition's mission is to "provide a reliable source of nutritious meals and support services to the homeless and food insecure people in Hollywood, and to foster a sense of community among our volunteers and patrons." In addition to its meal service, the organization offers a variety of support services, including medical and dental care, mental health counseling, and legal aid, among others.
The Hollywood Food Coalition operates with the help of hundreds of dedicated volunteers, who prepare and serve meals, provide services, and help with fundraising and other tasks. The organization is committed to providing a welcoming, respectful, and safe environment for all individuals who come to its meal service, and to promoting social justice and community-building initiatives that address the root causes of hunger and homelessness.
Since its founding, the Hollywood Food Coalition has served millions of meals to people experiencing food insecurity and homelessness in Los Angeles. The organization is committed to continuing its efforts to provide essential services and support to the most vulnerable members of the local community.
Meals on Wheels America
Meals on Wheels America is a non-profit organization based in Arlington, Virginia, that works to address senior hunger and isolation by providing nutritious meals and other support services to seniors in need. The organization was founded in 1954 and has since grown to become a national network of local programs that serve seniors in communities across the United States.
Meals on Wheels America's mission is to "empower local community programs to improve the health and quality of life of the seniors they serve so that no one is left hungry or isolated." The organization supports local programs by providing funding, training, and other resources to help them operate effectively and efficiently.
In addition to its support for local programs, Meals on Wheels America also advocates for policies and programs that address senior hunger and isolation at the national level. The organization works with lawmakers, corporations, and other stakeholders to promote solutions that can help ensure that every senior has access to nutritious food and a supportive community.
Meals on Wheels America's network of local programs serves millions of meals each year to seniors in need, delivering hot meals to their homes or providing meals at community centers and other gathering places. The organization's programs also offer a variety of support services, such as home visits, transportation assistance, and socialization activities, that help seniors stay connected and engaged with their communities.
Overall, Meals on Wheels America is committed to helping seniors maintain their independence, dignity, and quality of life by providing them with the essential support services they need to thrive.
Move for Hunger
Move for Hunger is a non-profit organization that works to reduce food waste and fight hunger by mobilizing the relocation industry to donate non-perishable food items to food banks and other hunger relief organizations. The organization was founded in 2009 and is based in Asbury Park, New Jersey.
Move for Hunger's mission is to "mobilize the moving, relocation, and multi-family industries to reduce food waste and fight hunger." The organization works with moving companies, apartment communities, and other businesses to collect unopened, non-perishable food items that are typically discarded during moves or apartment clean-outs, and donates them to local food banks and pantries.
Move for Hunger has partnered with more than 1,000 moving companies across the United States and Canada, as well as with hundreds of apartment communities, to collect and donate food to those in need. The organization also provides resources and training to its partners to help them promote food donation and reduce food waste in their operations.
In addition to its food donation efforts, Move for Hunger also works to raise awareness about hunger and food waste, and advocates for policy solutions that can help address these issues. The organization has been recognized for its innovative approach to fighting hunger and reducing food waste and has received numerous awards and accolades for its work.
Overall, Move for Hunger is committed to using the power of the relocation industry to fight hunger and reduce food waste, and to create a more equitable and sustainable food system for all.
Feed the Children
Feed the Children is a non-profit organization based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, that works to fight childhood hunger and poverty in the United States and around the world. The organization was founded in 1979 and has since grown to become one of the largest international charities in the world, with operations in more than 10 countries.
Feed the Children's mission is to "provide hope and resources for those without life's essentials." The organization provides food, educational resources, and other support services to children and families in need, both domestically and internationally.
In the United States, Feed the Children operates a variety of programs to support children and families in low-income communities, including food distribution, backpack programs that provide food to children for weekends and holidays when school meals are not available, and disaster relief efforts in areas affected by natural disasters. The organization also works to provide educational resources, such as school supplies and books, to children in need.
Internationally, Feed the Children operates a variety of programs to support children and families in developing countries, including food distribution, clean water initiatives, and child sponsorship programs that provide education, healthcare, and other support services to children in need.
Feed the Children's programs are made possible through the support of individual donors, corporate partners, and volunteers who work tirelessly to help the organization achieve its mission. The organization is committed to providing hope and resources to those who need them most, and to creating a world where every child has access to the essentials they need to thrive.
City Harvest
City Harvest is a non-profit organization based in New York City that works to fight hunger and food waste by rescuing excess food from restaurants, grocery stores, and other food businesses and redistributing it to those in need. The organization was founded in 1982 and has since grown to become the largest food rescue organization in New York City.
City Harvest's mission is to "end hunger in communities throughout New York City by rescuing and redistributing food, educating the public, and addressing the root causes of poverty." The organization works with more than 2,500 food donors and 400 community food programs to collect and distribute more than 66 million pounds of food each year.
In addition to its food rescue efforts, City Harvest also provides educational resources and training to its partner organizations and the broader community to help promote healthy eating habits, reduce food waste, and address the root causes of hunger and poverty.
City Harvest's programs are made possible through the support of individual donors, corporate partners, and volunteers who work tirelessly to help the organization achieve its mission. The organization is committed to creating a more equitable and sustainable food system for all, and to ensuring that no New Yorker goes hungry due to a lack of access to nutritious food.
Capital Area Food Bank
The Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB) is a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C. that works to fight hunger and improve nutrition in the Washington, D.C. metro area. The organization was founded in 1980 and has since grown to become one of the largest food banks in the region.
CAFB's mission is to "create access to good, healthy food in every community." The organization works with more than 450 partner agencies, including food pantries, soup kitchens, and other community organizations, to distribute more than 30 million pounds of food each year to individuals and families in need.
In addition to its food distribution efforts, CAFB also operates a variety of programs to promote healthy eating habits and improve nutrition in the communities it serves. These programs include nutrition education classes, cooking demonstrations, and community gardens that provide fresh, healthy produce to residents in low-income neighborhoods.
CAFB's programs are made possible through the support of individual donors, corporate partners, and volunteers who work tirelessly to help the organization achieve its mission. The organization is committed to creating a more equitable and just food system for all, and to ensuring that every member of the community has access to the nutritious food they need to thrive.
Alameda County Community Food Bank
The Alameda County Community Food Bank (ACCFB) is a non-profit organization based in Oakland, California that works to fight hunger and improve nutrition in Alameda County, which includes cities such as Oakland, Berkeley, and Hayward. The organization was founded in 1985 and has since grown to become one of the largest food banks in Northern California.
ACCFB's mission is to "end hunger in Alameda County by providing nutritious food and support to our neighbors in need." The organization works with a network of more than 300 partner agencies, including food pantries, soup kitchens, and other community organizations, to distribute more than 30 million pounds of food each year to individuals and families in need.
In addition to its food distribution efforts, ACCFB also operates a variety of programs to promote healthy eating habits and improve nutrition in the communities it serves. These programs include nutrition education classes, cooking demonstrations, and community gardens that provide fresh, healthy produce to residents in low-income neighborhoods.
ACCFB's programs are made possible through the support of individual donors, corporate partners, and volunteers who work tirelessly to help the organization achieve its mission. The organization is committed to creating a more equitable and just food system for all, and to ensuring that every member of the community has access to the nutritious food they need to thrive.
Food Recovery Network
Food Recovery Network (FRN) is a non-profit organization based in College Park, Maryland, that is dedicated to fighting food waste and hunger. The organization was founded in 2011 by a group of college students who wanted to find a solution to the problem of food waste on their campus.
FRN works with college and university campuses across the United States to recover surplus food from dining halls, sporting events, and other sources, and redistribute it to local organizations that feed people in need. The organization also works with restaurants, grocery stores, and other food businesses to rescue excess food and donate it to local hunger relief organizations.
Since its founding, FRN has recovered more than 3 million pounds of food and donated it to people in need. The organization's efforts not only help to fight hunger but also reduce food waste and promote sustainability.
In addition to its food recovery efforts, FRN also operates a variety of educational and advocacy programs to raise awareness about food waste and promote sustainable food practices. These programs include workshops, training sessions, and advocacy campaigns that engage students and community members in the fight against food waste and hunger.
FRN's programs are made possible through the support of individual donors, corporate partners, and volunteers who work tirelessly to help the organization achieve its mission. The organization is committed to creating a more sustainable and just food system for all, and to ensuring that no one goes hungry due to lack of access to nutritious food.
Unleash the Power of Your Employee Giving Program: A Complete Guide (original)
Your Best Practices Guide for Maximizing Your Employee Giving Participation
This guide provides you with tools and tips to maximize employee participation in your giving program, not just when the program launches but throughout the entire year.
Leveraging our expertise in the social impact and nonprofit sectors, Groundswell is here to support you and your employees on your impact journey.
5 Ways Employees Participate in Their Corporate Giving Program
Employee giving programs typically provide employees with various options to contribute, such as:
- Payroll Deductions: Employees can choose to have a certain amount deducted from their regular paychecks and donated to a charity of their choice. This allows for convenient and consistent giving.
- Matching Gifts: Some companies offer to match their employees' charitable contributions up to a certain limit. For example, if an employee donates $100 to a nonprofit organization, the company may match that amount with an additional $100, effectively doubling the impact of the employee's donation.
- Volunteer Programs: Employee giving programs can encourage and facilitate volunteerism. Companies may provide paid time off for employees to volunteer during work hours (also known as volunteer time off), organize group volunteer activities, or offer incentives for volunteer participation.
- In-kind Donations: Instead of monetary contributions, employees may have the option to donate goods, services, or other resources to charitable organizations. This could include donating clothing, office supplies, computers, or expertise in a particular field.
- Fundraising Events: Companies may organize fundraising events or campaigns in which employees can participate. This could involve activities like charity walks, runs, auctions, or bake sales to raise funds for a specific cause.
The specific structure and features of employee giving programs can vary from one company to another. These programs not only foster a culture of giving within the organization but also demonstrate the company's commitment to corporate social responsibility and community engagement.
Read related articles
- Is Your Donation Matching Program Inclusive and Equitable?
- The Workplace Giving Handbook: Everything You Need to Know
- 8 Workplace Giving Trends and How to Use Them
A Playbook for Increasing Engagement in Your Employee Giving Program
Employee giving programs can be a great way for companies to demonstrate their commitment to social responsibility, engage employees, and make a positive impact on the community. But too often, employees don’t take full advantage of the opportunities provided through their giving programs, leaving billions of funds unmatched every year.
For some, this is due to either a lack of awareness about their company's giving program or, for others, an unwieldy donation portal and match process that leaves employees frustrated. Groundswell's technology brings corporate giving into the 21st century and unleashes the modern philanthropist in all of your employees.
Whether your goal is to grow the percentage of employees participating in your giving program, increase the number of funds going to nonprofits, or to better understand the causes that matter most to your employees, these best practices can help you achieve those goals.
By reducing the administrative burden required to launch and implement a Giving Program, Groundswell frees you up to focus on what matters most: inspiring your employees and having a positive impact on the world through your company’s support for charitable causes.
6 Tips for Maximizing Participation in Your Employee Giving Program
1. Communicate Early and with Intention
Communication is a critical component of any successful giving program. We want you to have the tools to effectively share program details and encourage participation - whether launching a new employee giving program or transitioning from an existing one.
The key is to help employees understand why and how Groundswell fits into your company’s broader vision around corporate citizenship and employee engagement - and build enthusiasm around the potential to collectively have a positive impact on the world through donations to charities.
Program Launch Communications:
Here are some ways to think about the program launch. Depending on whether this is a new program or transitioning from an existing one, your adoption plan may change. You don’t want to inundate employees with too much information, while also providing them with the resources they need to successfully enroll in the program and easily engage on the platform.
- Keep it short, and emphasize that the intent is to center employees in corporate philanthropy and make it as easy as possible for employees to give.
- If the Giving Program is new: Why now? How does it align with your company’s values? Why is Groundswell a good fit for the company?
- If the program is replacing an existing program: Why now? What’s different (and better) from the previous program? New matching or gifting features? It may also be helpful to highlight the tax effectiveness of the donor-advised fund model.
Monthly Program Communications
In order to encourage ongoing participation in your program, and for employees to take advantage of the gifts and matches offered by your company, we encourage monthly nudges to remind employees about the program.
Monthly Cause Spotlights
- Start off the month by highlighting some timely causes - make sure to link to Groundswell-curated “Featured Cause” Portfolios that Groundswell uploads to the dashboard every month for a hand-off approach to spotlighting.
- Share “Cause of the Month” information with employees, leveraging the toolkits found in Groundswell’s Resource Center.
Engagement & Impact Reporting
- Utilize the data that you can find on your company Dashboard or download via CSV to highlight some of your company’s collective impact - including a percentage of employees enrolled, the total dollar amount that has been donated, as well as top nonprofit donation recipients and/or cause areas.
- This helps employees see how their individual donations are having a larger impact as part of your company’s collective giving program.
2. Drive Early Adoption through Gifts
Gifts can be a terrific way to get employees to sign up and start using the Groundswell platform immediately. Here are a few tips on how to drive early adoption using the Gifting feature:
- Launch with a one-time gift into employees’ Giving Accounts that will show up as soon as employees enroll. This can be a great way to create buzz about the program and empower employees to donate and make an impact immediately - even before they contribute their own funds to their Groundswell account.
- Throughout the year, provide unexpected, ad hoc gifts into employees’ accounts - for work anniversaries, milestones, great performance, etc.
- A way to make it fun is to do a lottery at All Hands meetings by randomly selecting an employee to receive $25 in their Groundswell account. Follow this link or reach out to the Groundswell Customer Success team to learn more.
3. Inspire Engagement through Matching
- Set up a matching program that immediately doubles the impact when an employee puts funds into their Groundswell Giving Account. This creates a feeling of “we’re in this together” - and drives home the message about an equitable approach to corporate philanthropy.
- A match program can run for an entire year, or be tailored to specific months.
- With the Groundswell match happening at the point of contributing funds to the Groundswell account, employees can tangibly see and feel what it means to double the impact for the charities and causes that matter most to them.
4. Leverage Cause Campaigns & Respond to the Emergent Events
Planned Campaigns:
- Utilize a Social Impact Cause Calendar to plan monthly or bi-monthly communications to employees highlighting specific causes - with resources to educate employees about the cause, and a curated list of nonprofits most relevant to the cause. You can refer to Groundswell’s monthly cause portfolios that are updated to reflect timely causes and issues.
- Tip: Plan your annual budget to launch match campaigns focused on specific charities or cause areas throughout the year.
Unforeseen Events:
- Utilize Groundswell’s curated list of best-in-class nonprofits responding to disasters in the United States or globally. Being able to quickly and confidently point your employees to vetted nonprofits to donate to shows that you are responsive as a company and empowering employees to take action in moments of crisis.
- Tip: Keep a portion of your annual budget in reserve so that you can match employee donations and/or provide gifts to employees to expand the impact in response to the unforeseen emergency.
5. Engage Employee Resource Groups
Another mechanism to center employees in corporate philanthropy and recognize their own lived experiences: provide Employee Resource Groups (ERG) a platform to speak to key cause areas (e.g. AAPI Awareness, Black History Month, etc).
- ERGs can take the opportunity to recommend nonprofits that they think are most effective and related to the cause, and share their commitment to specific causes with the tag-line “My cause is ____ “
- Tip: Solicit recommendations from the Employee Resource Group for books to read, films, and documentaries to watch, and podcasts to listen to. This can generate a deeper understanding of causes and lead to engagement via donations to support the causes.
6. Lean Into End-of-Year Giving Spirit
30% of annual giving happens in December, with about 10% of all annual donations coming in the last three days of the year. For nonprofits, this can be a critical time to raise funds and prepare programming budgets for the next year.
You can leverage Groundswell's Giving Tuesday resources to launch an end-of-year donation campaign, featuring specific cause areas and nonprofits.
Tip: Set a budget aside for a surprise end-of-year gift - leveraging the fact that a large percentage of people prefer to donate at the end of the year.
Groundswell is your ally in corporate philanthropy.
Corporate giving programs aim to empower employees and help companies facilitate and support philanthropic efforts. As global access grows and corporations become more diverse, employee representation becomes an increasingly important subject.
Groundswell enables companies to lay the foundation for their employees to adopt a generous giving attitude towards charities and world-shaping efforts.
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