I’ve always had a personal passion for giving back. From donating time and money to my favorite charities to volunteering on various boards, I know firsthand that performing acts of selflessness is incredibly rewarding for both you and the people you serve. But it wasn’t until 2017 when the agency I co-owned decided to host a $50k Charity Giveaway to commemorate its 10th anniversary. That’s when I experienced this gratification on a much larger scale.
To kickstart the competition, I chatted with people who were already in my network from previous charity endeavors. We pushed the word out on social media as well, encouraging all local 501(c)(3)s who had been in operation for more than three years to apply.
Once we received over 30 applications, we posted an album with a photo of each nonprofit’s logo and told our contenders to encourage their followers to interact with the post. The charities with the most post engagement moved on as finalists. An independent panel of upstanding community leaders would then decide who needed the money most and why.
After much deliberation, the judges selected Ability 360 as the giveaway winner. Ability 360 is a 501(c)(3) with a mission to empower people with disabilities through their state-of-the-art sports complex and various other programs and services. With more than 130 staff members, 2,500 personal assistants and hundreds of volunteers, the organization has helped those with disabilities achieve self-sufficiency and independence for over 40 years.
The awarded $50k went into completely re-strategizing their marketing approach. This included implementing video storytelling and other digital methods to bring awareness to their lesser-known programs since many only knew the nonprofit for its impressive sporting facility.
When all was said and done, our entire team felt a deep, personal connection to Ability 360. We forever transformed how this organization prioritized its marketing efforts, and they didn’t have to pay a dime. Through this giveaway, I learned many valuable lessons. Giving back can be an uplifting experience not only for myself, but for my employees, my business and the community.
Here were my biggest takeaways:
Giving Back Inspires Teamwork
The first thing I noticed at the launch of the giveaway was how quickly our team members came together as one to reach a common goal. I was blown away by how every department, from branding and design to development and strategy, collaborated seamlessly to benefit the greater good.
Watching these employees get excited about helping others made me feel that every hire I made was the right decision. It was a gratifying reminder that I chose to surround myself with a group of professionals who valued integrity, compassion and empathy every day.
As they pulled the campaign together – from the initial Facebook posts promoting applications to providing marketing guidance to Ability 360 — I had never been more impressed with the agency I helped lead. Giving back, I learned, sparks collective passion and teamwork in extraordinary ways.
Giving Back Is a Win-Win
Not only was I wowed by my team’s dedication to the giveaway, but I also had a chance to think introspectively about my own experience with charity work. When it comes to helping others, you truly can’t go wrong. Not only can you positively change someone’s life, but you also grow into a better version of yourself. The personal value of giving back is immeasurable — it makes you appreciate what you have, humbles you and provides a sense of fulfillment that’s hard to find elsewhere.
Charity work has allowed me to forge genuine relationships with those in the community who may otherwise be overlooked. Hearing their unique stories has made me reflect on my own and appreciate all the blessings I’ve received. Giving back makes the people I’m serving feel great, but over the years, I learned that it’s equally rewarding for me.
Giving Back Has Business Benefits
Through the giveaway experience, I expanded my network to other companies and clients who shared a passion for helping others. When you publicly give back to your community, it’s easy to align yourself with like-minded organizations that see the value of selflessness and compassion.
Although this may inadvertently grow your business by generating positive publicity, the intention is not self-serving. If you’re gaining recognition for your generosity, this reflects well on your entire company while connecting you to fellow people and organizations who also strive to do good.
I learned that giving back demonstrates to your community that you care and that you are willing to invest in deep-rooted relationships. This, in turn, results in strong partnerships with companies that value integrity and increased customer loyalty from those who believe in your mission.
Giving Back Builds Communities
For me, one of the best parts about charity work is watching the fruits of my labor come to life. There’s no better feeling than looking back at all you accomplished after a day of volunteering or seeing how your donation to a nonprofit directly impacted someone’s life. In Ability 360’s case, our agency gave them the gift of a sound marketing plan, along with the confidence to implement it.
But you don’t have to launch a $50k giveaway to make a difference — even the smallest gestures can have a lasting effect on the community. I believe if everyone performed just a few acts of kindness for others each year, the world would be a noticeably better place.
I hold Highnoon, the marketing agency I currently co-own, to the same standard. In 2021, we’re working together to develop our very own CSR program that will take our altruistic efforts to the next level. This huge project will com to fruition before the year ends, so stay tuned for exciting announcements about our charitable work-in-progress in the near future.
Giving back builds character, promotes teamwork and leaves a lasting impact on your community. If you’d like to learn more about nonprofit involvement, contact me!