Giving back to local communities is always the kind of thing a self-respecting, smartly-run company wants to make sure to set aside time and efforts for. But needless to say, the COVID-19 has upped the urgency for organizations to extend a helping hand to the communities around them. Those communities are the lifeblood of the businesses that belong to them, and these dozen companies have programs in place that are designed to recognize and offer relief to the issues most affecting those communities – especially in times of strife. Here are 12 companies that don’t take the idea of community support lightly, and some stirring examples of how they’re helping.
What programs does LogMeIn have to support the local community?
LogMeIn’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) program, Mission Possible, unlocks the potential of our employees, products, and culture to create long-term, sustainable social and environmental impact that positively affects change in the world and improves peoples’ lives. We focus our social impact on two main areas: education & youth programs and critical human needs. In 2020, we also have rolled out sustainability programs at both the corporate and individual level, allowing us to make an operational impact on the environment.
What impact are you hoping these programs will have or have had?
We are hoping that our programs will impact our communities both today and in the future. With our critical human needs efforts, we are able to have an impact today on big issues like hunger relief and food security, conquering homelessness and upward mobility, and disaster response from natural disasters to the current COVID-19 pandemic. With our education and youth programs efforts, we hope to impact the next generation of talent, helping to provide access to engaging STEM programs and to close the diversity and achievement gap in tech.
In what ways do you enable your employees to give back individually?
We allow all employees 2, 100% company-paid volunteer days per year to give back to local communities. We also have an annual Match Week that allows employees to donate to their favorite organizations and receive a 1:1 corporate match, or a 2:1 match when donating to select non-profits focusing on diversity, inclusion & belonging. Lastly, we organize programs throughout the year that any employee can participate in, such as virtual mentoring & career development, holiday wish drives, and other virtual STEM programs.
Check Out LogMeIn’s Careers Page Here!
What programs does Guidewire Software have to support the local community?
Our community impact program is titled Guidewire Gives Back, and encourages local employee engagement with the community with 3 VTO days per year and a matching gift program of up to USD$1000 per year.
What impact are you hoping these programs will have or have had?
Guidewire Gives Back (GGB) is a program that focuses on making a direct impact in the communities where our employees live and work – and with Causes that matter most to them.
In what ways do you enable your employees to give back individually?
The broad reach of the Guidewire Gives Back program is that any charitable organization globally is eligible for employees to double their financial gifts to the charity of their choice.
Check Out Guidewire Software’s Careers Page Here!
What programs does Instacart have to support the local community?
What impact are you hoping these programs will have or have had?
In what ways do you enable your employees to give back individually?
Every year, Instacart serves up opportunities for employees to donate groceries and funds to support their local communities. For the upcoming holiday season, we’re launching a Virtual Food Drive program for employees to support local food banks and communities in need. Through the program, employees are encouraged to place an Instacart order of pantry staples to be delivered directly to their local food banks. Instacart is proud to match every order by donating 100 meals to Feeding America and Food Banks Canada, up to half a million meals.
Check Out Instacart’s Careers Page Here!
What programs does CSAA Insurance have to support the local community?
At CSAA Insurance Group we provide grants to nonprofits across the country and support employees with their own involvement through volunteerism and giving programs. Over the years we have built a pro bono volunteerism program that connects HR, Marketing, and Legal expertise to nonprofit partners. In response to COVID-19, we connected our café staff to provide meals to local nonprofits. We continuously seek to leverage all our assets to do good in our communities.
What impact are you hoping these programs will have or have had?
Our focus is to create equitable, resilient, and vibrant communities where our employees and customers live and work. We believe that strong nonprofits create strong communities which ultimately lead to a strong business.
In what ways do you enable your employees to give back individually?
Employees are central to our community impact strategy. Our volunteerism program provides and incentivizes engagement across a wide-spectrum – independent volunteer activity, group hands-on projects, skills-based, pro bono, and board service. Our giving programs empower individual philanthropy, including our matching gifts program which matches employee donations, dollar-for-dollar, up to $1,000 a year. We also activate special 2:1 matching opportunities during times of disaster and crisis.
Check Out CSAA Insurance’s Careers Page Here!
What programs does Smartsheet have to support the local community?
In June, our employees nominated Black Lives Matter as the recipient organization for a US$150,000 corporate donation from Smartsheet. Additionally, when we launched Smartsheet Cares, our corporate giving platform, later in the summer, we did so with a 2:1 matching campaign (up to US$150,000) for additional employee-nominated organizations in support of Black Americans. We also offer discounted pricing to nonprofits interested in using Smartsheet for their organizations.
What impact are you hoping these programs will have or have had?
Our discount for nonprofits creates an opportunity for these organizations to use our software to further the work they’re doing. Nonprofits have used Smartsheet to do anything from streamlining the scheduling process for annual professional development sessions for more than 70,000 teachers, to enabling reporting, resource management, and collaboration across a health equity organization in order to advance innovation. Our software allows these organizations to free up their own time and resources so that they can be put to use in service of the communities they support.
In what ways do you enable your employees to give back individually?
Smartsheet Cares, our corporate giving platform, is a single portal for charitable programs that employees can use to search for and add giving and volunteer opportunities, track volunteer hours (and earn donation currency for each hour!), and donate to organizations of their choice. Upon hire, all employees’ Smartsheet Cares accounts are seeded with US$25 to donate to the organization of their choice. We also offer all employees 8 hours of paid time off each year specifically for volunteering.
Check Out Smartsheet’s Careers Page Here!
What programs does The Hollister Group have to support the local community?
Community is the heart of Hollister. It’s our compass and it is what fueled Kip’s, our CEO’s, passion for founding the business 32 years ago. This past year, we focused on co-creating the programs that are part of RecoveryWorks – a non-profit program at Massachusetts General Hospital, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, dedicated to connecting individuals who have substance use disorders with employment opportunities and matching their level of experience and skill sets. When COVID-19 hit Boston in March, we developed a series of virtual programs – free of charge – designed to support our community, bring leaders together, and enhance and deepen human connection. We developed over 16 program offerings offered in excess of 65 free sessions via Zoom with over 750 registrations, including weekly guided meditations led by Kip. Kip also started a podcast during this time, Well Being Walks, that is accessible through multiple channels.
What impact are you hoping these programs will have or have had?
At the core of every offering has been an intention of service, mindfulness, connection, and engagement. We are a people-first organization and care immensely about those within our organization and those in our surrounding community. We have dedicated an immense amount of effort towards supporting as wide of an audience as possible through these free offerings. The feedback has been so immensely positive that one client, after attending one of Kip’s sessions: Leading through Crisis with a Focused and Present Mindset, asked Kip to lead a global company-wide webinar which Kip conducted for an audience of over 350 employees. What we’ve found is that people were craving this space we created: a space to just be – to be vulnerable, to be with others, and to be supported. And it’s only the beginning.
In what ways do you enable your employees to give back individually
Hollister’s Philanthropy Committee plans and executes the company’s organized charity and volunteer work. We focus on three main points when looking for opportunities for the company to give back to the community and those are: Workforce Development, Client-focus, and Team Building. We host 4 main volunteer opportunities a year (one per quarter).In addition to the many philanthropic events that we host and support as an organization, we also seek to support each employee as a leader in their own personal commitments to giving back. As an employee of Hollister Staffing, you are given one day of service per year to volunteer at/for the organization of your choice.
Check Out The Hollister Group’s Careers Page Here!
What programs does Amperity have to support the local community?
The Amperity Cares committee supports our annual Big Climb Team and coordinates monthly community volunteer opportunities and our Adopt-A-Family Holiday drive. In 2020, we fully created the branding & marketing and provided the software engineering support to launch The Plate Fund, in collaboration with the Schultz Family Foundation, which provides financial relief to restaurant workers affected by the pandemic.
What impact are you hoping these programs will have or have had?
We hope to have impacted some of those most affected by the global pandemic this year – restaurant workers and families in need.
In what ways do you enable your employees to give back individually
Amperity provides a Volunteer Time Off benefit – up to 4 days per year (separate from PTO) to volunteer with organizations or groups of their choice. During the pandemic, we source and share volunteer opportunities in Seattle and New York monthly.
Check Out Amperity’s Careers Page Here!
What programs does The Mom Project have to support the local community?
The Mom Project has a variety of programs to support and empower our community of 300k+ diverse professionals.
1. RISE – our latest initiative from our 501(c)3 MomProject.org, RISE is a scholarship program committed to accelerating equity for moms of color, providing access to upskill certifications while harnessing the power of community, support, and job placement—all in as little as three months and at no cost to participants!
2. RALLY – a community-driven program created for moms (and mom advocates) to connect with other community gurus one-on-one to meet, teach, learn, and grow.
3. Resume Rev – our tool designed to help talent own their story in real life and on paper. Talent is guided with tips and questions to ensure their resume reflects them as a professional and a person.
4. Unity – a program built to support individual job seekers impacted by COVID-19 hardships by pairing them with incredible professional coaches and recruiting/talent professionals. This program features Unity Hours, which are weekly virtual sessions that discuss a new topic hosted by an expert on that topic.
5. Lounges – a forum and discussion board for talent to connect by asking questions or providing answers and insights to others.
6. The Study – our resource center featuring articles with expert tips and tools for career guidance.
What impact are you hoping these programs will have or have had?
RISE will connect 3,000 women of color with upskilling certifications.
RALLY has matched 400 pairs of women, moms, parents, and advocates.
Unity Program has connected 1,000 women, moms, parents, and advocates.
In what ways do you enable your employees to give back individually?
At The Mom Project, the work each employee does every day to advance equality and gender diversity in the workforce stems from our mission of progress and advocacy. We also encourage our employees to participate in RALLY and Unity programs.
Check Out The Mom Project’s Careers Page Here!
What programs does Banfield Pet Hospital have to support the local community?
As the nation’s largest general veterinary practice, we have a responsibility to put our principles into action by giving back to the communities in which we live, work, and play. Our Corporate Social Responsibility programs are divided into three strategic pillars to maximize impact: wellness of our people/profession, wellness of pets, and wellness of communities. Among the many programs we offer, a few of our associate’s favorites include opportunities to volunteer on company time, deliver free veterinary care for shelter pets, and educate youth about careers in the veterinary profession. To view our annual report or learn more, please visit https://www.banfield.com/about-us/community.
What impact are you hoping these programs will have or have had?
In 2019, we impacted nearly 175,000 pets and people through our volunteer efforts, educated nearly 12,000 youth about veterinary careers and responsible pet ownership, and this year, we’ve partnered with Make-A-Wish on more than 80 pet-related wishes! Despite challenges brought on by COVID, Banfield associates continue to find ways to give back through CSR programs and our new Caring Count Challenge, through which we asked associates to help us reach 10,000 acts of kindness!
In what ways do you enable your employees to give back individually
As the world has changed, our desire to give back to our communities has never wavered. We continue to adapt our programs, creating resources like a virtual volunteer guide, so associates could give back safely. On World Kindness Day, November 13th, we celebrated the conclusion of our inaugural Caring Counts Challenge and nearly tripling our original goal of 28,674 individual acts of kindness! As Brian Garish, president of Banfield Pet Hospital, commented “Every act of kindness – no matter how big or small – counts and makes a brighter future for our people, pets and society.“
Check Out Banfield Pet Hospital’s Careers Page Here!
What programs does Meltwater have to support the local community?
Meltwater offers complimentary access to our platform and consultancy services to non-profit organizations that are championing the causes of social justice and equality. Meltwater also allows employees to run MEST, an Africa-wide technology entrepreneur training program, internal seed fund, and network of hubs offering incubation for tech startups in Africa.
What impact are you hoping these programs will have or have had?
We hope that access to our platform will enable those organizations championing social justice causes to continue their vital work. MEST, giving opportunity to the next generation of tech entrepreneurs, will raise the caliber of excellence in the tech space globally.
In what ways do you enable your employees to give back individually?
Meltwater’s employee resource group mPowered facilitates and enables employees to learn about and engage with underrepresented communities and become better allies. Meltwater also has a charitable giving matching policy for causes dear to individuals at Meltwater.
Check Out Meltwater’s Careers Page Here!
What programs does Elsevier have to support the local community?
My company makes available an international gift matching program for employees’ donations to the charities of their choice. There is also support for a large number of employee-led activities around causes such as raceðnicity, lgbtq+ representation, disabilities, gender equality, and more. Additionally, the Elsevier Foundation runs global partnerships with nonprofits looking to support inclusive health and research in and for underserved communities.
What impact are you hoping these programs will have or have had?
Well before, but especially during, 2020 these programs have helped employees feel like the company is interested in supporting the causes that are close to their heart. It’s also a powerful way for employees to feel empowered to drive programs, organize events, and raise funds.
In what ways do you enable your employees to give back individually?
The Elsevier Foundation supports a global matching gift program that enables employees to donate to charities of their choice and to see those donations matched by the company. Additionally, each employee has 2 days available per year to spend time volunteering – whether with a charity or with an employee resource group (mentioned in question 1).
Check Out Elsevier’s Careers Page Here!
What programs does Tophatter have to support the local community?
In a pre-COVID world, Tophatter supported families in local Bay Area hospitals with the non-profit There With Care. We put together bags of non-perishable foods, toiletries, and handwritten notes of support that we donated to families dealing with medical crises. This was a fantastic way for the team to bond over doing something great.
What impact are you hoping these programs will have or have had?
When COVID first hit the US and PPE materials were in short supply,
In what ways do you enable your employees to give back individually?
Tophatter supports employees taking time off to participate in programs they are passionate about.
Check Out Tophatter’s Careers Page Here!
What programs does Squarespace have to support the local community?
In the US, we made a pledge to help drive social justice reform, including setting aside $500k, to be donated over three years, to organizations working towards enabling social justice, criminal justice reform, and alleviating racial inequality in the country. We also partnered with many inspiring organizations this past year including Grace Hopper, LeadDev, the Creative Collection NYC, and ColorStack, to name a few.
In Ireland, we launched Get Ireland Online, providing tailored onboarding help and advanced website consultations to Irish businesses, allowing them to get the most out of their Squarespace sites. We were also a sponsor of this year’s Women in Technology World Series Online Festival, celebrating the power of resilience amongst female tech professionals across the globe.
What impact are you hoping these programs will have or have had?
Our vision is to help anyone with creative ideas to stand out and succeed – that includes those who may not have the same advantages or opportunities as others. We strive to support and advocate for underrepresented communities so that more opportunities are made possible for them — we know these communities often have incredibly inspiring and creative stories to tell.
In what ways do you enable your employees to give back individually?
To help our employees support the causes they most care about, we make it possible for them to double their donations to qualified organizations through our company matching program (up to a maximum of $/€600 per employee per year). And to ensure the designated non-profit receives 100% of the match amount, Squarespace covers all administrative costs. We also arrange programming for team members to volunteer at specialized customer workshops and community activities.
What programs does IPC Systems have to support the local community?
A core pillar of IPC’s Diversity and Inclusiveness program is “invest.”
What impact are you hoping these programs will have or have had?
Some of the organizations that IPC partners with are focused on the continuation of higher-level education for diverse and/or low-income youth. Our goal in partnering with these non-profit organizations is to help inspire young people to pursue STEM careers (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Some of the avenues in which we have helped to spread that message are through employee-led mentorship programs and hosting college readiness workshops where IPC employees share their personal journeys with local youth.
In what ways do you enable your employees to give back individually?
IPC recognizes the importance of supporting local communities where we do business. One way IPC supports our communities is through its commitment to donating to local charities both fiscally as well as through direct volunteer opportunities.