How to build a culture of giving in Colorado

If you're reading this, you're probably pretty fortunate. How often do you take a moment to think about how you can share your good fortune?

Whether by volunteering or donating gifts, coats, cash, time or other contributions, generosity is the word now more than ever before. Charitable donations reached a record $373.25 billion in 2015, up more than 4 percent from the previous year. This outpouring came from individuals, corporations, foundations and estates. Surprisingly, individuals make up the largest share of charitable giving, coming in at 71 percent of the total in 2015. 

As individuals, the causes we support have multifaceted benefits. Businesses can get value from giving back and providing opportunities for their employees to be charitable. It’s good business.

In organizations that support philanthropic efforts on behalf of their employees, studies show that collective morale tends to be higher. Employees grow more productive, creative and learn new skills – from teamwork and social skills to project management and organization. Moreover, by increasing awareness around causes and how to contribute, employees also tend to give more on an individual basis. Most importantly, consumers take note. With 55 percent of consumers interested in supporting charitable organization, such companies have a more positive public image and higher sales.

Many organizations fall short in their efforts to give back, not because they fail to do so entirely, but because they don’t make it a core priority in their company’s culture. Having a committee of employees who manage a corporate contribution plan and budget is great, but they only provide part of the benefit that a holistic culture of giving can.

Collective Goods brings this powerful strategy to businesses, making employee-based giving accessible, visible and easy, and not just during the holidays, but throughout the year. Local fundraising partners across the country set up pop-up displays and events in schools, hospitals and businesses, with a portion of each of those event sales going toward causes or physical products. These events save employees time and money while also giving back to local organizations. With countless events weekly, monthly, these concentrated experiences provide powerful cultural benefits that change businesses.

Collective Goods has given more than half a billion dollars to charitable organizations throughout the U.S. since its beginning. 

Employees have the opportunity to host their own fundraisers for the causes they support with the company providing the product and equipment. By sponsoring events like Relay for Life, collecting clothing and toys for A Precious Child, donating proceeds and products from employee sales or hosting a blood drive in the parking lot, it’s easy for employees to participate and support any number of causes all year long.

Making giving back “business as usual” enables every organization not to help others and to improve their productivity, performance and character.