You might be used to buying presents for loved ones during the holiday season, but what about holiday giving at work? What about a different kind of holiday giving, one that benefits your team and the world at large?

Workplace philanthropy can range from a team walking to represent a cause to a large organization offering money or time to another organization. Something like Apple’s Giving program can do both – programs range from corporate donations to sewing face masks for first responders, the latter of which began with a team’s efforts, then blossomed into a bigger program. Especially during the holiday season, when COVID is still ravaging much of the world, giving of yourself is more important than ever to benefit those who are suffering. That’s why a workplace philanthropy program is important for every team that seeks to add a little altruism to their holiday season.

Giving for the win

The benefits of engaging in holiday giving at work are both direct and indirect. Employees volunteer their time, money, and efforts to make sure that individuals in their communities are afforded the same opportunities, and believe it or not, they’re rewarded with a better, stronger team in the end. A study from CyberGrants showed that 90% of companies polled note that employee engagement is one of the top three reasons that team volunteering programs are beneficial for staff.

You might be considering starting a workplace philanthropy program, but you’re not quite sure where to start, or if it would be worth the investment. But not only is this a great opportunity to do something to better the world, but you also have the chance to better your team at the same time in fun and inventive ways.

1. Happiness all around

Holiday giving doesn’t just help the beneficiary, it also helps those giving their time and energy to a good cause. A study from the University of Wisconsin-Madison notes that “office altruists,” those looking to do good, are more likely to be loyal to their jobs and less likely to quit. These people are happier, and end up valuing life more as well. On a larger scale, those invested in corporate social responsibility report that their moods are better, their stress levels are lower, and their health improves when investing in these acts of kindness, as their sense of purpose is ignited with a fervent passion that others may not have.

Additionally, it’s not just about making your company a more ethical place, it’s also about being a more ethical person. Another report from the University of California Riverside notes that charity can make you all-around happier, depending on the variety, frequency, and motivation behind your good deeds. As long as you accomplish different kind-hearted or philanthropic tasks on a semi-regular basis, not just for the health and happiness of others, but your own as well. Now imagine if you combine your passion for corporate social responsibility with your own urge to do good in the world – you could be happier than you ever dreamed.

2. Learning about your teammates

Now that you know how holiday giving at work impacts yourself and your company, you should know that it has just as strong of an impact on your team. While you might be familiar with your coworkers in one capacity as you work with them each day on various projects, you might be missing out on some of their more authentic eccentricities or their personal stories. That’s where team volunteering or charity comes in.

First, you’ll all have to agree on a place to donate to, a task to do, or a service to provide. It’s possible that some of your teammates may already have a connection based upon their experiences, whether they’re already doing some holiday giving to fight an illness that their relative suffers from, or they’re giving back to a program that once helped them. If no one has a particular connection with a philanthropic organization, it’s also possible to match you with places in your area that can best use some of your (or your teammates’) hidden abilities, such as upper body strength, spatial relations, or even handiness.

3. Elevating your communication

It might feel like your team couldn’t get any better at working together, but there’s always room to grow. A poll from United Health shows that 64% of employees said volunteering with their coworkers made their work relationships stronger, and an additional 97% of managers in this Segue study felt that volunteering in a corporate setting helps improve a team’s ability to work together well. All it takes is a new challenge to see where the communication gaps are and how to improve them, and volunteering can be one of those challenges.

When it comes to teamwork, there’s nothing that requires cooperation quite like the physical labor of packing lunches, stacking boxes, or organizing school supplies. You may be quite used to asking them to take on tasks through a computer screen, but delegating or assuming the responsibilities of physical labor is an entirely different thing, and it may require a different dynamic. It might put your team’s synergy to the test to take on a new and difficult trial, but you’ll certainly come out of it with an increased sense of unity.

4. Taking on a challenge

Workplace philanthropy doesn’t just test your team’s connectivity and workflow, it also tests your creativity and entrepreneurship abilities. While some teams might be content to keep their charity efforts small, if your team is full of go-getters, you’ll probably be interested in using your skills to create something even bigger. In fact, 90% of HR executives polled in this Deloitte report note that these kinds of programs that tap into a team’s innate skills help develop leadership abilities.

If your team is the kind of group that always wants to kick things up a notch, take your holiday giving to the next level by planning an event that involves your whole department or office. Turn your holiday giving into something more with a fundraising event complete with prizes, a small office fundraising party with a Christmas cookie baking competition, or a black-tie poker night where all the winnings go to a particular charity. This can be a time to use the talents you know that your teammates have to make something innovative yet noble.