The Joy and Necessity of Corporate and Individual Giving During the Holidays

With the holidays now upon us, we like to reflect on the season’s true meaning. As a team dedicated to the organizations and people that serve those in need across America, DollarDays is reminded of this every day — yet even more so at this time of year. For many, the holidays are a time of joy, family gatherings, gift-giving, and cherished traditions. However, it’s important to also reflect on and help those who may not experience the holidays in the same way.

The holidays are an opportunity to extend generosity to those in need and work toward closing the gaps between the “haves” and “have-nots” in our communities. Corporate giving and contributions from individuals and families are especially vital during this time of year.

The Power of Giving: Receivers and Givers Alike

Statistics show that acts of generosity, even small ones, have a profound impact on mental and emotional well-being. A study by National Institutes of Health found that when people give to charities, it activates regions of the brain associated with pleasure and reward. According to Mayo Clinic, having a sense of purpose — especially for a greater cause — delivers satisfaction and brings joy as people connect with and give to others. Beyond the emotional benefits, giving back builds community connections, fosters gratitude, and delivers positivity to others.

For underserved people and families that receive another person’s generosity, the benefits are immense, including access to life’s essentials, enhanced quality of life, stability and empowerment, and a feeling of being cared for.

Corporations Growing, Donations Falling

Yet, despite its power, giving is down in America. The past two years have registered some of the deepest declines in U.S. philanthropy history. After two challenging years of inflation, many nonprofits now grapple with diminished donations.

To complicate the issue, as corporations have grown and profits continue to climb, charitable business donations are lagging. According to the latest Giving USA report, corporate giving made up only 7% of all charitable contributions in 2023, or approximately $36.55 billion of a total $557.16 billion. Individual giving makes up the biggest portion of the pie at 67%, or around $374.4 billion.

The decline in donations underscores the economic pressures nonprofits face as they strive to maintain essential services for communities in need amidst rising costs. Today, their need is greater than ever before.

Consumers, especially younger ones, increasingly favor companies that are socially responsible. According to one study, 73% of Americans said that a company’s charitable giving tendencies affect their purchasing decisions, and 84% say it’s important that a company support charitable causes. Half of Americans would even switch to a company that supports a cause they believe in, and nearly two-thirds would stop buying from a brand that demonstrated a lack of social responsibility. This further underlines the importance of companies getting involved in important causes and supporting their communities.

For businesses, increasing philanthropic efforts can create a competitive advantage, build brand loyalty, and strengthen community connections. By realigning corporate giving strategies and programs, companies can adapt to changing business challenges while sustaining their commitment to the communities they serve.

Ways to Make a Difference This Holiday Season

For Companies:

• Launch a Cause-Oriented Program: Businesses can make select products philanthropic by donating a portion of their sales to local or national causes. Donation percentages can range widely, and Harvard Business Review notes the importance of authenticity in cause sales programs in order to build customer loyalty. Programs can last throughout December, a single day like Giving Tuesday — the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving (Dec. 3rd this year) — or all year long.
• Offer Paid Volunteer Days: Allowing employees to take paid time off to volunteer can have a meaningful impact. Whether delivering meals, helping at shelters, or organizing fun-filled holiday events for underserved children, employee volunteerism strengthens community ties for the company and associates alike.
• Make a Corporate Donation: Corporations can contribute financially to organizations that provide housing, food, and healthcare assistance, sustaining these critical programs well beyond the holidays. Or they can deliver an in-kind gift of much-needed items in volume to nonprofits, too. Also consider a post-holiday donation or monthly commitment — many nonprofits face a drop in donations after the holidays, though needs persist year-round.
• Sponsor a Program: Partner with a nonprofit or community organization to underwrite initiatives in the local community, such as toy drives, food bank donations, or adopt-a-family programs. Sponsorship is an effective way for businesses to give back and drive wide-spread awareness for its community-supportive brand at the same time.
• Set Up a Matching Gift Program: Encourage employees to give by matching their individual donations. This not only doubles the financial impact but also reinforces the company’s commitment to its local community or national cause.
• Offer Pro Bono Services to Nonprofits: Giving back does not have to be limited to monetary donations — your team’s expertise can be incredibly valuable. Consider offering pro bono services to local nonprofits in functional areas like marketing, accounting, IT support, legal advice, or business consulting. Helping a nonprofit streamline its operations or develop a new outreach campaign can create long-term benefits that extend far beyond the holiday season.
• Support Charity Partners that Align with Your Organization: Select charities that align with your company’s mission and values to strengthen the company culture and engage associates and customers. Tell your corporate giving narrative with compelling stories of the human impact to showcase the deep connection to your chosen cause.

At DollarDays, we work tirelessly to serve those who serve others, striving to ease the burdens of our partners so they can focus on what truly matters: making a difference. Beyond our day-to-day operations, this year, we empowered our team to extend this mission by contributing directly to our community through meaningful actions, including:

• Local Partnerships in Phoenix: Delivering essential products, such as basic hygiene items, to support those in need.
• Toy Drives: Providing pallets of toys to bring joy to children during the holiday season.
• Support for Mothers in Need: Supplying cases of diapers to an organization that provides resources and care for unwed mothers and their families.
• Holiday Care Boxes: Building and delivering over 200 boxes filled with essential items and gifts for children around the globe.
• Charitable Events: Actively participating in local events to support various important causes.

For Individuals and Families:

• Dedicate a Portion of Your Holiday Budget to Seasonal Giving: Food banks and shelters often operate at capacity during the holidays and deeply appreciate donations of non-perishable food, warm clothing, and blankets. Set aside a portion of your holiday budget, shop as a family, and make a personal delivery to connect with your community. Call your local food bank or shelter to learn what items are most needed. For ease, you can also shop for items in bulk. Nonprofits and humanitarian organizations often need large quantities of essential items. Donating a case of items can have a more significant impact than purchasing them individually, due to the lower cost per item associated with wholesale orders.
• Sponsor a Family in Need: Local Adopt-a-Family programs led by cities and other organizations help ensure families can experience the holidays, providing everything from a turkey dinner with all the fixings to essential clothing and toys for children. Sponsoring a family can create a holiday season filled with joy for those who need it most.
• Volunteer at a Food Bank or Homeless Shelter: The holidays are a time of giving, and there’s no better way to make an impact than by lending a hand to those in need. By volunteering at a local food bank or serving a holiday meal at a homeless shelter, you are not only providing essential food but also offering hospitality, camaraderie, and compassion to those in need in your community.
• Give the Gift of Warmth: Across much of the nation, the holidays mean wintery months, which can be especially hard for those without a secure place to call home or those experiencing financial hardship. Items like coats, blankets, socks, gloves, and knit hats can make a significant difference for someone braving the cold. Many shelters and nonprofits run “warmth drives” this time of year, and these items are often in high demand. Consider donating winter essentials to a local shelter or leading a warmth drive in your community or with your employer.
• Encourage Small Acts of Kindness: Giving doesn’t always need to be grand and costly. Simple gestures like buying a meal for someone in need, helping a neighbor who is a single mother with babysitting services, or delivering a homemade item to neighbors during the holidays can make a meaningful impact. Remind associates, family, and friends that acts of kindness are powerful, even if they seem small.

This season, as you celebrate with loved ones, we invite you to share holiday joy with those in need. The ways in which we can support those in need during the holidays are virtually limitless.

Together — as corporations, individuals, families, and communities — we can make the holidays brighter for everyone.