By now, most of us are all too aware that the shift to remote work, economic and political uncertainty, and evolving employee expectations have made it more challenging to deepen employee engagement. At the same time, team volunteering is a proven strategy to boost employee well-being, employee morale and retention, brand value, and community impact. But executing a successful team volunteering program isn’t easy. It requires a thoughtful approach and preparation.

Check out these 5 top tips from Mary Dohrmann, Program Manager, Employee Impact at Twilio.org – a leading Builder member of the Pledge 1% movement.

Twilio.org’s 5 top tips for building an effective team volunteering program

1. Encourage executives to demonstrate the behavior you want to see in other employees.

When employees see executives taking time to volunteer, it shows them that it’s ok for them to do that, too. Encourage your executives to champion a team volunteer event at their gatherings, reminding them the importance of leading by example and the impact that it can have on your company’s social impact goals. This will set your leaders up to be natural ambassadors of social impact across the organization.

2. Create proactive, nonprofit partnerships and start early.

Nonprofit partnerships are key to success in team volunteering. Create and foster nonprofit partnerships with turnkey volunteering opportunities in the cities where your employees gather.  Remember that on and offsite meetings get planned months in advance, and volunteer events can often be the first thing to be left off of a tight agenda. Start planning with teams as early as you can to ensure you have time carved out of the agenda and have enough time to create a meaningful social impact opportunity in partnership with your nonprofit partners.

3. Have plug and play volunteer opportunities available.

Build a toolkit with meaningful, skills-based and other volunteering opportunities for teams looking to host a volunteer event during their gatherings. Partner with your people team to help promote that toolkit and, if relevant, to get it incorporated into other guides and resources. Include in your toolkit suggestions for making your volunteer opportunities more engaging. Can you offer 2x matching to the nonprofits that teams volunteer with? Can you create competition and offer giving credits? Incentives such as these can help drive energy and excitement around plug and play volunteering.

4. Build your internal brand and tell your story.

Continuously build cross-functional connections so that you’re aware of what team gatherings are happening and when. Awareness is key to finding the right moments to integrate social impact opportunities. And, once teams start to recognize your team as the ones that can help them create a social impact opportunity, they’ll start coming to you and referring others to you. Be sure you’re asking teams for photos and stories from their volunteer events so that you can share those with others to help generate excitement and new leads.

5. Be prepared to be hands on.

The most successful team volunteer events are the ones in which the organizer feels informed, supported, and prepared. If you don’t have the perfect plug and play opportunity ready for a team, help the lead with the search. If possible, offer to help create the event on your employee impact platform and help bulk upload volunteer hours. To stay organized as the volume of requests increases, have teams fill out an intake form and lean on those proactive partnerships you have in place.

Original article here

Author: LOUIS TÊTU

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

Back in 2021, my company, Coveo, joined Pledge 1%, a global movement to inspire, educate, and empower all companies to leverage their assets for good. The movement challenges organizations to pledge 1% of equity, 1% of employees’ time, 1% of profits, and 1% of technology capabilities. While our pledge date may not appear noteworthy on the surface, that changes when I reveal that we took the pledge during the run-up to our IPO.  

1. Get Your Board Aligned And Onside  

My company’s board was unwaveringly supportive of joining Pledge 1%, even given the timing. We were also fortunate to have a board member who had already participated in Pledge 1%. That individual’s support was invaluable throughout the process.

Your equity source can be corporate, founder, or a hybrid. We committed to a corporate upfront model with a sale schedule over multiple years. “Upfront” means investor dilution happens all at once and the full amount is on the cap table. This approach could allow you to benefit from stock upsides and speak confidently about your commitments, knowing your philanthropic vision is protected from management changes or M&A activity.

3. Surround Yourself With Experienced Advisors 

Tax considerations weren’t a primary concern for us, but yours may require proactive measures to receive charitable receipts. Surrounding yourself with tax, legal, and accounting experts with Pledge 1% experience is a sound strategy, as it helps you avoid unnecessary expenses and time.

We also decided to partner with donor-advised funds, or DAFs, in the U.S. and Canada rather than setting up a private corporate foundation. This allows us to more easily give back to local communities where most of our employees and customers are based.

5. Identify An Owner  

Being part of Pledge 1% centralizes ESG efforts, easing reporting and coordination. Identifying a passionate in-house owner helps to drive long-term success. Even smaller companies that can’t invest in a dedicated senior impact executive can do this. For example, we’re fortunate to have our CMO leading our ESG efforts and rallying 50+ employees to join the committees.

We put knowledge and education at the center of our 1% Pledge because we passionately believe that education is the ultimate social equalizer. Our initiatives prioritize programs for young people aged 6-18 years old in vulnerable social groups who are challenged with accessing knowledge and education. We’re already making great strides.

Since taking the pledge in 2021, we’ve donated more than a million dollars, plus thousands of employee volunteer hours, to worthy causes. Achieving this milestone wouldn’t have been possible without the willingness of our leaders and board to explore joining Pledge 1% while on the road to IPO.

I hope the insights I shared in this article ignite meaningful discussions about how to build a long-term liquidity vehicle for supporting organizations aligned with your company’s mission. The more late-stage companies that join Pledge 1%, the faster we can make meaningful corporate philanthropy the new normal.

Original post here.

Author: Reddit

We proudly announce that today Reddit has joined Pledge 1% to help support and grow communities that are driving social good online and in real life. Pledge 1% is a nonprofit and global movement of over 18,000 companies in 100 countries that inspires, educates, and empowers every entrepreneur, company, and employee to be a force for good.

We believe that Reddit is one of the most human places on the internet. Our communities play an impactful role in driving change and building a better future. Since Reddit’s founding, we have seen how communities create a positive impact and take action for the causes they believe in. From organizing local trash cleanups, raising donations for food banks and conservation funds, hosting an art gallery exhibition promoting local artists, printing redditor usernames on a Talladega racecar for a “ride-along” experience, and sending care packages to healthcare workers, communities are continuing to change the world every day.

“Communities play a special role in enabling human virtues and bringing more good in the world,” said Steve Huffman, Reddit CEO. “I’m constantly inspired by the creativity of Reddit users and communities. I’m excited to see people continue to do incredible things with support from our Pledge 1% commitment.”

Joining Pledge 1% means making a long-term commitment to reserve 1% of our common stock over 10 years to fund community-related programs. This commitment allows us to continue supporting the positive impact of our communities and investing in new opportunities that align with our mission to bring community, belonging, and empowerment to everyone in the world. We will also be able to build upon our one-of-a-kind Community Funds program that gives real people funding to bring community ideas and passions to life.

“Reddit is a community of communities, and we have seen firsthand the positive real-world impact that people have when empowered with the right resources,” said Roxy Young, Chief Marketing and Consumer Experience Officer at Reddit. “By joining Pledge 1%, we will further activate our communities in meaningful ways to help advance their interests and reach their impact potential.”

“As a business focused on empowering communities, Reddit is successfully integrating social impact into their business in a way that’s aligned with their values,” said Amy Lesnick, CEO of Pledge 1%. “This makes Reddit an incredibly important role model for other companies as we strive to transform the default DNA of every company to have social impact ingrained.”

We are thrilled to join a global network of companies that support the social good of communities today and tomorrow. We look forward to sharing more about how we are funding community-related initiatives that align with Reddit’s Community Values and empower people to do even more.

About Pledge 1%

Pledge 1% is a nonprofit and global movement that inspires, educates, and empowers every entrepreneur, company, and employee to be a force for good. Over 18,000 companies in over 100 countries around the world have taken the pledge and used Pledge 1%’s flexible framework to build their social impact programs. To learn more about Pledge 1%, and how your company can get involved, visit pledge1percent.org.

 Sauma: protecting life and hope in the heart of the Kalahari

Author: V5 Digital
Article originally posted here.

In an era where conservation challenges loom large, V5 Digital has taken a significant step in empowering environmental stewardship. Long-time members of the Pledge 1% initiative, our team used their expertise to create an impactful online presence for the Stampriet Aquifer Uranium Mining Association (Sauma), a beacon of water protection advocacy in Namibia.

Protecting the Stampriet Aquifer
The Stampriet Transboundary Aquifer, Namibia’s sole year-round freshwater source in its arid south-east, is under threat. The prospect of in situ uranium mining, with its potential for radioactive and toxic heavy metal contamination, poses a dire risk to the drinking water, wildlife, and the health of the people who call this area home.

 More than just humans rely on the pristine drinking water from our aquifers

If disaster strikes, the repercussions will be widespread. Yes, our drinking water would be jeopardised but many more areas would also feel the impact:

1. Tourism and hospitality: In situ, uranium mining-related pollution can degrade natural landscapes and wildlife habitats, which are key attractions for tourists. This can lead to a decline in tourism, adversely affecting guest farms, lodges, villages and whole towns.


2. Agriculture and livestock: Pollution can contaminate soil and water sources, affecting crop quality and yield. It can also impact livestock health and productivity, leading to economic losses in the agricultural sector.


3. Real estate and property development: Environmental degradation can lead to a decline in property values in affected areas, impacting real estate development and sales.


4. Healthcare services: Increased pollution can lead to health issues in local populations, potentially increasing the burden on healthcare services.


5. Export sector: If the pollution affects products like fruits, vegetables, or meat, it can impact the export sector, particularly if importing countries impose stricter regulations or bans due to health concerns.


6. Manufacturing: Sectors reliant on clean water and uncontaminated raw materials may face production challenges, leading to increased costs or reduced output. Additionally, essential community services such as fueling stations, banks, shops, and supermarkets will also be impacted.


7. Recreational and outdoor activities: Outdoor recreational activities, including hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing, can be adversely affected by environmental degradation, impacting businesses that cater to these activities.

This urgency catalysed the formation of Sauma, a community united in safeguarding this precious aquifer. This isn’t just about conservation; it’s about preserving a way of life for the settlements, farms, game lodges, and unique ecosystems that depend on this vital water source.

A website and social media strategy with a purpose
Recognising the gravity of Sauma’s mission, V5 Digital embarked on a journey to amplify their voice. Our task? To develop a new website and a comprehensive social media strategy that resonates with the urgency of Sauma’s cause. Through this platform, we aimed to elevate public awareness, foster community engagement, and drive essential donations to support Sauma’s initiatives.

Local voices, global echoes
Central to our strategy was the integration of invaluable insights from devoted community volunteers, passionately dedicating their time to raise public awareness about this vital cause. We collaborated closely with vigilant farmers, caring parents, dedicated teachers, and individuals from various backgrounds, all united in their commitment to safeguard the quality of their drinking water for future generations.

When we inquired about their experience collaborating with us, Sauma generously shared: “Sauma extends its sincere gratitude to V5 Digital for their unwavering support of our vision and mission. The V5 Digital team has supported us with professional and generous backing, by applying their outstanding communication and social media skills, IT and marketing expertise. Our social media platforms and website are proof of this professional team’s outstanding abilities. Sauma’s new media presence reflects our commitment to protecting our scarce water resource for all Namibians.”

Let V5 Digital elevate your online presence with social media that connects and engages

A call to action
Our collaboration with Sauma is more than a project; it’s a partnership for the planet. We invite you to join us in this critical mission. Visit the beautiful new website we created for Sauma to learn more and make a difference. Your support empowers community advocacy, legal efforts, and the ongoing protection of the Stampriet Transboundary Aquifer.

Learn more about Sauma and make a difference here.

Like, follow, and share their Facebook content here.

 V5 Digital: Your source for sleek, functional websites that make an impact.

Armin Wieland, V5 Digital’s Founder shared the following: “V5 Digital, through our Pledge 1% initiative, support the Stampriet Aquifer Uranium Mining Association (Sauma), a beacon of water protection advocacy in Namibia. The aim of Sauma is to prevent any kind of in situ leach or leaching (ISL) or in situ recovery (ISR) mining in the Stampriet Aquifer.

“The Stampriet Transboundary Aquifer System (STAS) covers a large arid region stretching from Central Namibia into Western Botswana and South Africa’s Northern Cape Province.

“As a Salesforce Partner and Pledge 1% member, V5 Digital is intentful to support initiatives that protect the environment and are strongly supporting efforts that are decelerating climate change. We have committed ourselves to be a Net Zero Company by 2025 – and are encouraging our customers to do the same across our value chain.”

 At V5 Digital, we are intentful to support initiatives that protect the environment and are strongly supporting efforts that are decelerating climate change.

V5 Digital’s comprehensive services
Inspired by our work with Sauma? V5 Digital is here to bring your vision to life, whether it’s crafting a new website, developing a holistic social media strategy, or more. Let us help you make an impact in your field. Contact us here.

This story was submitted by Passage Technology.

As winter approaches, positive stories about people making a difference can help brighten our days—and inspire us.

At Passage Technology, we’re proud to support Pledge 1% this Giving Tuesday, and all year long, through product donations to nonprofit organizations. Pledge 1% makes it easy for companies to donate 1% of their staff time, product, profit, and/or equity to a charity that they choose.

One of the nonprofits we’ve impacted is the Healthier Kids Foundation. Their mission is to remove barriers impacting the health, learning, and life success of Silicon Valley youth.

“We’re a nonprofit organization that’s dedicated to providing health care screenings, as well as dental, hearing and wellness screenings to children primarily ages two through 18,” explains the organization’s Chief of Staff, VP Information Systems and Quality, Bob Hansen.

They also provide education for mothers and children, and during the pandemic Healthier Kids provided emergency distribution of supplies to families. The organization has grown from 28 people when Bob first started to 50 employees, and last year they provided screenings for 83,000 children. You can read the full story here.

Since 2012, Passage Technology has offered product discounts to nearly 166 nonprofit customers. During previous holiday seasons, the staff has also volunteered in their local communities and made cards for hospitalized kids.

This story was submitted by Chime.

Chime pledges 1% of equity to fund higher education opportunities for everyday Americans.

A message from Chris Britt, Chime CEO and co-founder

We started Chime to improve financial services for everyday people. Our idea was simple. If we could reduce stress around money, our members would have a better chance to thrive and live better lives.

Today, we’re taking another step to help unlock financial progress with the launch of the Chime Scholars Foundation (CSF). CSF will fund college and other post-secondary programs for those with a passion to pursue a brighter future through higher education. Our scholarships are designed to lend a hand to ambitious, everyday people so they can pursue careers without the heavy debt burden facing so many graduates.

Accessing Education – My Story
I grew up in Mount Vernon, NY, a working-class city that bordered the Bronx. With divorced parents struggling to provide for me and my siblings, it was our neighbor in the apartment below us, a WWII veteran named Joe, who stepped in to help. While my mom worked a variety of jobs, it was often Joe who made sure I got to practice, ate dinner, and did my homework, while still finding time for us to watch the Yankees highlights at the end of the day.

As a Little League player, I remember winning my team’s “Heart and Hustle” award. While I initially saw it as a consolation prize, Joe was thrilled and insisted it was the highest honor to earn on a team. I didn’t get it at the time – but I do now. Joe was everything to me – my surrogate grandfather and my best friend.

Life was tough in my neighborhood sometimes. Our schools weren’t great and when they got worse, my mother, a former elementary school teacher, decided to apply to a private school. Even with a scholarship, my family couldn’t afford to send me. Fortunately, Joe realized this and generously offered to pay the difference. Later, when I received a partial scholarship for college, once again Joe stepped up and paid the balance of my tuition. Thanks to this incredible man, I was able to get a great college education and kick off my professional career without the stress of student debt.

To say Joe was a blessing is an understatement. He taught me the importance of loving your family unconditionally, staying positive, working hard, and giving back when you can. It was his generosity and support that helped inspire the approach to CSF.

Chime Scholars Foundation
Higher education is one of the most powerful engines for economic mobility. With CSF, we aim to expand access so that others have the same opportunity I did. After all, we live in a country with a shrinking middle class and with more than half of American households living paycheck to paycheck. We also know that people with higher education or training earn nearly 2x over their lifetime than high school only graduates and are half as likely to be unemployed.

Too often, our post-secondary education system fails us. College tuition costs have far outpaced wage growth and inflation over the past few decades, making it out of reach for many. For those who do pursue a degree, more than half end up with crippling debt for years to come. For others, a four-year program may not be the best path for success, but they too are left with few options.

This is why we created the Chime Scholars Foundation. Operating as a non-profit, CSF awards annual, renewable scholarships for students pursuing education after high school. There are two attributes that make CSF unique.

First, CSF is designed for any type of post-secondary education, including four-year university, community college, or even vocational training like nursing programs and other apprenticeships.

Second, we didn’t design CSF grants just for the star students with 4.0 GPAs and a long list of extracurricular activities. These kids often have opportunities for grants and scholarships from the schools they attend. CSF is specifically for everyday kids like me who have responsibilities at home, work hard, hustle, and yearn for something more in life. Many of these students just need a little financial support to jump-start opportunities.

While we are formally announcing the Chime Scholars Foundation today, I’m proud to report that CSF has already awarded more than 350 scholarships in our pilot program. Going into 2024, we plan on expanding the program by welcoming over 100 new scholars.

Our ambitions for CSF are high, and my co-founder Ryan and I are enormously proud and grateful to our board of directors, investors, and leadership team for pledging 1% of Chime Financial equity to fund CSF going forward. With this funding and our unique approach, I’m confident that the Chime Scholars Foundation will be a positive force in our communities for generations to come. To learn more or to apply please visit the Chime Scholars Foundation website.

If only Joe could see us now!

Chris

Pledge 1% Gives

This story was submitted by Wilco Source, a CitiusTech Company

Throughout 2023 and into 2024, Wilco Source, now a part of CitiusTech, continues its commitment to the Salesforce 1% Pledge. We applaud Salesforce and all other organizations participating in this philanthropic endeavor.

At Wilco Source, a leader in providing tailored Salesforce solutions for Healthcare and Life Sciences organizations, we are dedicated to positively impacting the world around us. Our acquisition by CitiusTech, a significant milestone in our journey, has enabled us to expand our resources and amplify our corporate philanthropy and environmental sustainability efforts.

A Pledge for a Better Tomorrow

In alignment with our commitment to Pledge 1%, this acquisition represents more than a business milestone; it’s a gateway to greater societal contributions. We believe in leveraging a portion of our resources to support those in need and initiate meaningful change. Empowered by our new partnership, we’re poised to make a more substantial impact.

In 2023, the employees of CitiusTech and its subsidiaries, including Wilco Source, volunteered countless hours in various community service projects. These efforts reflect our commitment to social responsibility and embody the culture of our family of organizations, where giving back is integral to our identity.

Other initiatives include:

Environmental Stewardship: Our union with CitiusTech brings a shared vision for environmental care.

• Energy-Efficient Infrastructure: Enhancing eco-friendliness in our workplaces.


• Sustainable Practices: Emphasizing our commitment to the environment through authorized e-waste recycling and employee-driven initiatives.

Enhancing Social Impact: The acquisition has also expanded our ability to contribute to CitiusTech/Wilco Source social initiatives. Efforts include:

• Salesforce Career Nurturing Program (SCNP): Annually, we aim to fill 20-30% of our positions through our SCNP. This program onboards individuals seeking Salesforce opportunities, offering them a 3-6 month mentorship. Historically, over 90% of SCNP enrollees have joined Wilco Source.


• Combating Hunger and Poverty: Supporting hundreds of children in Mumbai through various initiatives. Additionally, we would like to give a special mention to Sundeep Neravetla, who volunteered 60 hours for the Second Harvest Food Bank.

A Journey Towards Positive Change

As part of CitiusTech, Wilco Source stands at the forefront of corporate responsibility, embracing the synergy of business success and social impact. We are excited to continue this journey, leveraging our expanded resources to make a lasting difference in the world. 

Join us in our pledge to contribute more, care more, and create a better future for all.

This story was submitted by Digitools Consulting, LLC. 

Today is an exciting time for us at Digitools Consulting! As a proud member of Pledge 1% we donate 1% of our time, revenue, and product discounts to non-profits. I’m very happy to show the start of our journey to do good in the communities we serve. We donated $150.00 to Elevate Branson.

Pictured left to right. Bryan Stallings, CEO of Elevate Branson – Nathan Bunting, CEO of Digitools Consulting – and Katie Sandage, Director of Elevate Rides.

This story was submitted by KnowledgeOwl. 

As part of KnowledgeOwl’s commitment to being a business for good, we started a “2% for People and Planet program” in June 2020. Through this program, we donate 1% of profits to people and 1% of sales to the planet.

KnowledgeOwl has been a Pledge 1% member since August 2021. Each month a different team member chooses a charity, non-profit, or organization with the goal of helping people and the planet. To date, KnowledgeOwl has donated over $20,000 USD.

More info about our “2% for People and Planet program” here.