At Syndeo, we are proud to have been long-time supporters of Family Promise of Greater Wichita. This year, we were deeply honored to receive their Community Star Award, a recognition that signifies our commitment to making a difference.

The mission of Family Promise of Greater Wichita is to empower families with children to overcome homelessness and housing insecurity through a holistic approach, community involvement, and sustainable solutions.

This charity has attracted many Syndeo volunteers, from top-level executives to middle management to our service team. Through serving on boards and committees, volunteering at the FPGW Day House, and participating at in-person events and fundraisers, our people support Family Promise’s mission to work towards alleviating homelessness within our community. 

There’s a good reason that Family Promise is so near to our hearts. We share a similar mission: taking care of people so they can take care of their families.

In this blog, we aim to give you some guidance on how your company can use its corporate vision to further local philanthropic efforts.

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Foster charity mindsets on an individual level. 

To develop a corporate philanthropic mindset, we must start with our individual selves, especially leaders within an organization. After all, getting a group of charitably-minded people together is the surest way to birth an impactful corporate giving culture. That means every person must recognize the needs of others around them and see how they can be the answer to meeting those needs. We must model how to focus our attention on someone other than ourselves.

 Something magical happens when we look around us and notice the situations of others. That magic is called growth. Maybe we are able to see a solution for a co-worker that they are unable to see because they are too close to the situation. Maybe we have an extra thing-a-ma-jig that our neighbor could really use. Maybe we can see someone struggling and offer them an encouraging word that lifts their spirits. 

None of those things happen if we are continually focused on our own lives and little worlds. To expand your world, look up and out and around you. There is so much to see; sometimes we simply need a reminder that life is bigger than us. Besides being able to be a solution for someone else, when we look around, we can more easily see all the ways in our lives that we have blessings that we didn’t recognize before.

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Model charitable attitudes within your leadership.

Charitable leadership doesn’t always have to start at the top, but it can have a bigger, more dramatic effect if it does. The old adage “Charity starts at home” rings true in its importance of taking care of your own people. By exemplifying a culture of giving and community involvement within your leadership team, you not only inspire your employees but also foster a work environment where compassion and altruism become integral to your company's DNA. This approach can ignite a ripple effect of positive change, both within your organization and beyond.

For example, volunteers are the driving force behind Family Promise's ability to significantly change the lives of families in crisis. By having our top executives volunteer, our people see that it takes a united community to make change happen. Syndeo is proud to be a part of that change, both as a corporation and as individuals.

Align corporate giving with your business vision.

Our connection with Family Promise of Greater Wichita isn't just about accolades and volunteerism; it's about a similar vision to empower families. Our commitment extends far beyond the surface, rooted in the belief that every family should have the opportunity to thrive.

To multiply the impact of your charitable contributions, create a giving strategy that aligns your efforts with your business goals. Forming this strategy significantly increases the return on investment. You want your efforts to foster long-term relationships in your community, while also ensuring that you remain within your resource capabilities. In addition to the benefits your recipients receive, you can capitalize on those efforts to promote your business goals and create positive visibility for your brand.

Here’s how this looks at Syndeo. Through a new initiative called “Syndeo Cares,” we are channeling our resources, time, and expertise to demonstrate our commitment to empowering our employees and making lasting change. Look at our Charitable Contributions and Sponsorships Policy as an example. This policy ensures all donations, sponsorships, and volunteer activities are coordinated and aligned with our vision, mission, and values, namely to create opportunities for our people to provide means for their families. By providing in-kind service to nonprofits like Family Promise, we are working towards our commitment to strengthening even more families for success. It’s a win-win for both sides. 

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Be a giver, not a taker.

Another strong reason for beefing up your giving muscles is to enhance the quality of life for everyone. Empowering and serving others makes challenges easier to bear, tight situations easier to endure, and gives us a little hope that life will get better. Because it will if we just take a deep breath and remember that we are supporting each other in the world. 

Through giving and assisting others, individuals experience a profound sense of satisfaction and empowerment. This sense is facilitated by releasing a euphoric blend of endorphins and dopamine in our brains that makes us feel good for making an impact. In turn, we achieve tranquility, serenity, and inner peace. While we feel satisfied about our work for others, we feel good about ourselves, too.  

Delegate decision-making authority to your employees. 

Getting your people involved in charitable contributions can be a game-changer. By delegating the authority to decide where and how your company gets involved, you empower your employees by putting your faith in their efforts. It also secures their buy-in to your service project and their give-back mentality. This is exactly why we created the Syndeo Cares committee. This team of Syndeo employees reviews applicants for sponsorships and approves them based on how they align with our goals. 

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A journey worth its destination: Reaping the fruit of generosity.

The journey of developing a corporate culture of giving leads to the realization that we are not mere takers in this world, but also givers. Such clarity enhances the quality of life for all of us. Each act of generosity, no matter how small, contributes to a brighter future, and we feel a sense of satisfaction, empowerment, and inner peace. All while making a positive impact on the world around us.

As we continue to develop our corporate giving strategies, may we remember that our actions have the power to transform not only the lives of those we support but also our own, fostering a sense of fulfillment that goes beyond measure. Together, we can make a significant difference in the world and inspire others to do the same.

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In what ways has your organization aligned its corporate giving strategies with the company’s vision? Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to our newsletter for more thought-provoking HR content from Syndeo. If you want to learn more about how outsourced HR services can get you back to business, contact Syndeo today!

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References: 

https://hbr.org/2002/12/the-competitive-advantage-of-corporate-philanthropy

https://odysseyteams.com/corporate-philanthropy-examples/

https://www.givinga.com/insights/blog/5-corporate-philanthropy-examples-inspire-csr-strategy/

https://hive.rochesterregional.org/2019/11/giving-tuesday#:~:text=Giving%20%E2%80%9Cdoles%20out%20several%20different,were%20to%20buy%20for%20yourself.