7 Tactics to Amplify Your Impact on Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday is a global movement that unleashes the power of generosity. It offers corporations and CSR leaders a unique opportunity to rally employees around giving back and to drive significant social impact for important causes. To make the most out of this incredible day, here are seven tactics that can amplify your efforts.

1. Special Incentives

One effective way to drive engagement is by offering limited-time incentives such as matching donations, especially for charities or causes you want to highlight. Employees are much more likely to donate knowing their contributions will have a multiple of the original impact. If you have a year-round matching program, consider a 1.5:1 or 2:1 matching program to celebrate and encourage generosity around Giving Tuesday.

Using CSR technology platforms like YourCause CSRconnect, your company could also offer employees cause cards, which are pre-purchased funds that can be given and redeemed like a gift card towards charitable causes. This kind of initiative can generate significant excitement and drive participation and familiarity in your company’s online giving process.

2. Employee-Nominated Grants

Empower your team by allowing them to champion the causes they care about by nominating nonprofits to receive a corporate grant for Giving Tuesday. When employees feel their voices are heard, and their passions are supported, they are more likely to engage deeply with other giving and volunteering initiatives at the workplace. This not only fosters a sense of ownership and personal connection for employees but also introduces your organizations to a diverse range of causes and charities that might not have been considered otherwise.

3. Skills-Based Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering is a fantastic way of spreading generosity on Giving Tuesday. With skills-based volunteering, you can encourage employees to use their skills to benefit nonprofit organizations. For example, a marketing team might assist a nonprofit with their social media strategy, or a group of software developers could help build a new website for an organization in need. These activities offer valuable support to the nonprofits’ missions and provide employees with fulfilling experiences that enhance professional development.

4. Peer-to-Peer Fundraisers

Engage people outside your company by letting employees create and manage individual fundraising pages to raise money for eligible nonprofits. These benefit from the power of personal networks to raise funds and awareness. Employees can become advocates for the causes they support, inviting their friends, family, and social networks to amplify the impact of your Giving Tuesday initiatives.

Peer-to-peer fundraising can take various forms, such as one-off events, broader campaigns, or even team competitions. By empowering employees to lead these efforts and tap into their vast networks, you can significantly extend the reach of charitable engagement.

5. Leverage Employee Resource Groups

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), or affinity groups, are groups built around shared identities or interests and can help mobilize their members to support relevant causes for Giving Tuesday. By involving ERGs, you tap into passionate advocates who can drive engagement and participation across the organization.

ERGs can organize events, volunteer opportunities, and fundraising activities that align with their group’s focus, creating a sense of community and shared purpose. For example, a women’s ERG might support charities focused on empowering women and girls, while a sustainability ERG might organize a cleanup event or support environmental nonprofits.

6. Friendly Competitions and Goal Setting

Another strategy is to introduce friendly competition between business units or regions. Alternatively, you could set collective goals or targets to hit as a company around Giving Tuesday. Providing regular reporting on progress can motivate teams to surpass their targets. The gamification of philanthropy can add a fun element for employees that increases involvement and contributions.

7. Storytelling and Reflection

Encourage employees to share their giving stories and experiences through internal communications channels, such as newsletters and intranets, or showcase the amazing impact on social media. Highlighting personal stories can inspire others and create a sense of solidarity and shared purpose. Recognizing and celebrating the efforts of employees who participate in Giving Tuesday activities can further boost morale and encourage ongoing involvement.

By incorporating these tactics into your Giving Tuesday plans, you can maximize your impact and create a meaningful experience for your employees and communities. Finally, remember to leverage this momentum in generosity from this occasion to cultivate an even more engaged and impactful workforce going into the holiday giving season and beyond.