The fall season is the perfect time to ramp up your corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts. Employees are feeling generous, and there are so many opportunities to make a difference while having some fun. Here’s a lineup of five low-lift, high-impact campaigns to inspire your team:
Here are 5 low-lit giving campaigns you can run with your team this fall…🍂
1. Toy Drive
Nothing brings holiday cheer like a toy drive! Rally your team around a list of nonprofits such as Toys for Tots, Operation Christmas Child, or The Salvation Army. If you have remote employees, no worries—get creative with a fun theme, like a “Virtual Santa’s Workshop.” Teams can compete to see who donates the most toys or even host a virtual “gift wrapping” party. If your company offers donation matching, this is the perfect time to promote it!
2. Giving Madness on Giving Tuesday
Make Giving Tuesday exciting with a Giving Madness Bracket! Think of it as March Madness but with a social impact twist. Start with 16 nonprofits—employees vote on their favorites, and the winners advance through the rounds. It’s a fun, competitive way to engage your team and raise awareness for different causes. Giving Tuesday is the biggest giving day of the year, so why not turn it into a CSR event everyone will talk about?
3. Food Drive
Hosting a food drive is a classic way to give back, but it doesn’t have to be traditional. Compile a list of nonprofits like Feeding America, Meals on Wheels, or No Kid Hungry. For remote teams, consider a virtual food drive where employees donate money instead of canned goods. Encourage contributions by showing how much each dollar can provide. Partnering with local food pantries? Research best practices to ensure your efforts are genuinely helpful—like asking what items are most needed or when to avoid overwhelming them with donations.
4. Career Development Month Series
November is National Career Development Month, making it a perfect time for a CSR campaign focused on mentorship and professional growth. Host a series of webinars and offer mentorship opportunities to employees. Partner with nonprofits that support mentoring, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, Year Up, or Girls Who Code. Not only will this boost employee engagement, but it also aligns your company with the broader social impact of career development and education.
Check out our social impact calendar (and subscribe!) for a complete list of social impact holiday ideas for your next campaign.
5. Veteran’s Day Greeting Card Event
Show support for our veterans with a greeting card writing event. Gather best practices for what to include in the cards—keep it heartfelt but respectful. Nonprofits like Support Our Troops, Operation Gratitude, and A Million Thanks are great sources for guidance and where to send the cards. Whether your team is in the office or remote, this is a simple yet meaningful way to give back. Make it extra special by sharing stories or playing music while everyone writes their cards together.
These five CSR campaigns are not only easy to execute, but they also make a real social impact. As the holiday season approaches, there’s no better time to get your team involved in giving back!
