How Culture Amp gives back beyond Giving Tuesday
Now in its seventh year, #GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Many companies use Giving Tuesday to start the charitable season, and at Culture Amp, we did just that. In addition to our year-round Geeks Doing Good initiative which provides quarterly time off for volunteering, each office launched a new initiative in the spirit of giving back this year.
Here, we’ll share why giving back is important to us, and how we make sure Campers (Culture Amp employees) get the opportunity to support causes that are important to them.
Culture Amp’s Geeks Doing Good program
Our own research shows an increase in engagement in employees that feel they have the opportunity to make an impact on social issues. Group volunteering provides an opportunity for Campers who would otherwise not have worked together to do so, enhancing cross-team collaboration and empathy.
The purpose of the Geeks Doing Good program is to support Campers in organizing volunteer activities through Culture Amp's Volunteer Leave Program (VLP). The program supports activities that allow us to give back to and engage with our community. At Culture Amp, we believe the world should be a better place to work, and Geeks Doing Good will help us drive that vision in the communities we are a part of.
Geeks Doing Good supports group and individual volunteer opportunities. Since the creation of the program, we’ve volunteered at animal shelters, soup kitchens, helped victims of fire, and more. In addition, our Volunteer Leave Program provides full-time employees with one paid day off per quarter to volunteer, and part-time employees with half a day.
Culture Amp Head of Diversity and Inclusion Steven Huang shares how the program helped him engage with kids at a local school.
“I was asked to participate in Gateway Middle School's Career Day - and I was so grateful that we have Geeks Doing Good days. I had to compete for attention against firefighters and TV anchors, but was amazed at how many kids gravitated towards my Diversity and Inclusion booth. Connecting with the future generation gave me hope and was such a fulfilling experience!”
The benefits to the Geeks Doing Good program have been proven over time, and we’re thrilled to give it new life through Giving Tuesday this year.
Celebrating the spirit of Giving Tuesday
New York
In New York, Campers volunteered at the Food Bank for NYC, to assist the kitchen staff with the preparation and service of a hot breakfast for their senior clients. They also prepared and served home-cooked lunch for patients and families in treatment for pediatric cancer at the Ronald McDonald House. Lastly, they’re taking part in the New York Cares Coat Drive running through the end of the year.
Melbourne
Melbourne hosted three "Bake Days" in November, with the proceeds benefiting the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, safe steps, and One in Five.
London
In June 2017, a tragic fire at Grenfell Tower in West London brought devastation to the community. An initiative supported by The Kensington & Chelsea Foundation was founded to help those who were affected. The aim of the course is to equip survivors with the skills, education, and confidence they need to overcome the inherent cyclical unemployment. The London team built a jam-packed schedule for nine students that included a whistle-stop tour of what Culture Amp is and why we exist, providing them with an overview of as many roles as possible.
San Francisco
A food and supply drive benefiting Dorothy Day House and The Suitcase Clinic has kicked off in San Francisco, to be followed by an in-person volunteer event during the holidays.
