This November, as polls open in the United States and all around the world, companies and nonprofits have an important role to play in encouraging civic participation. 

How civics can unite the workplace

Why is it so hard to talk about elections in the workplace? We all know that it’s best to avoid debating politics in the daily stand-up call. But there are ways to channel that passion into nonpartisan, civic engagement that unites our communities.  

As we approach election season in the United States and around the globe, Deed's employee engagement toolkit can help you raise awareness of civics, human rights, and democracy. Our toolkit places particular emphasis on inclusivity, with recommendations for nonprofits working to empower the global majority, youth, women, and LGBTQIA+ communities in the U.S., Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America.

Although most U.S. citizens enjoy the right to vote, around the world, one’s freedom to express one’s views and stand up for one’s rights is not guaranteed. We encourage you to rally your employees to get engaged, learn about civics, and support nonprofit organizations dedicated to upholding democratic ideals all over the world. 

Here's how social impact leaders can use workplace giving, workplace volunteering, and civic engagement to make a difference during election season.

What is Deed’s “Cause of the Month” initiative?

Deed launched our “Cause of the Month” initiative in response to the important moments we see happening in the world around us. With our toolkits, we aim to inspire our client-partners and rally employees to become volunteers, donors, and leaders by supporting causes they really care about. 

With “Cause of the Month,” we aim to bring greater context to periods of observance—from Pride Month to AAPI Heritage Month—such that anyone who reads our toolkit will have a clear plan of action for how to maintain their support today, tomorrow, for the rest of the month, and throughout the year. 

What will I get in every “Cause of the Month” toolkit? 

While every “Cause of the Month” toolkit has unique insights and engagement opportunities relevant to each particular cause, you can always expect us to cover certain areas.

For a better idea of what you’ll be getting, here’s what’s included in our toolkit: 

• Volunteering and giving opportunities in the U.S. and around the world.
• A calendar of awareness days.
• Employee and employee resource group (ERG) engagement ideas, as well as a walkthrough of how to craft a social impact campaign.
• Recommendations of worthwhile books, podcasts, and films.
  

Moving the needle during an election year 

There is no "right way" to handle politics in the workplace. But maybe by focusing on civics—things like voting, voter registration, polling information, and more—we can find more ways to bring our communities together rather than stepping back when they need us most. So how can social impact leaders use their familiar strategies, like workplace giving and workplace volunteering, to move the needle? 

Deed makes it fun and easy for millions of employees to share their time, money, and talent with causes they care about. We started as a viral volunteering app, and today our platform gives the world’s most inspiring brands—from Airbnb to lululemon—one exceptionally-designed home for all of their purpose-driven activities.

Corporate grantmaking, employee donations/matching, diversity & inclusion, and employee resource groups (ERGs) are only the beginning. Because over the past three to five years, everyone’s expectations for Fortune 500 corporate social responsibility have radically changed. But with our trusted integration partners like Workday and PayPal, hand-in-hand customer service, and a collaborative product team, Deed’s platform moves at the speed of work. 

To work with a true partner in social impact this month, reach out now to talk through this toolkit with one of our experienced team members.