Workplaces have found all sorts of ways to give back.
Some companies do it directly, by building products for social good, while others offer paid time off so employees can volunteer with organizations of their choice. Others still donate to nonprofits.
But there is a less common way that employers can give back: letting employees choose what community needs are important to them and backing them up with company time and the skills to meet those needs.
Take Canva, for example. The design software company has a program called Canva Community Skills, which connects employee expertise with community needs and provides lifelong learning opportunities.
“Through this program, our sales and success teams teach nonprofits how to use Canva, a free product for nonprofits, helping them leverage design tools to amplify their causes,” Pooja LaLa, step 2 lead for the United States, said.
The company also gives the marketing department time to lead training sessions for nonprofit communication teams, showing them how to use new tools to maximize their impact on social media.
Meanwhile, Workrise, a source-to-pay company, provides time and space for employees to prepare backpacks filled with school supplies for the Salvation Army.
“This initiative demonstrates our ‘Learn and Grow’ value, and by participating in this hands-on effort, employees not only contribute to essential educational support but also gain an understanding of community challenges,” Chanel Alderman, workforce operations program specialist, said. “This experience cultivates empathy and broadens our awareness of social issues — emphasizing a more informed and compassionate workforce.”
Built In spoke with these two tech leaders in detail about how their companies give back and let employees lead the way.
Workrise is a source-to-pay solution built for energy companies and suppliers to work together.
Describe how your company gives back to its communities. What impact do these efforts have on both those in need and employees themselves?
At Workrise, we are committed to making an impact through our employee resource groups like Women of Workrise, Powered by Pride and Respect Inclusion Support Empowerment. As a chair member of R.I.S.E., I help lead volunteer initiatives focused on supporting local communities through hands-on service projects, donation drives and cultural awareness events. Whether providing coats and volunteering in-person with Coats for Kids, donating backpacks and supplies for underserved youth with the Salvation Army, writing letters to the elderly during the holidays, donating to food banks like the Central Texas Food Bank and the ATX Free Fridge Project, or our annual fundraiser and participating in the Texas MS150 — our employees engage in meaningful ways throughout the year.
By giving back, we strengthen employee engagement, reinforce teamwork outside of normal routines, develop leadership skills, expose employees to diverse perspectives and embrace creating a culture that prioritizes social responsibility. To those in need, we provide tangible support and show our dedication to a positive impact on those around us.
How do these community outreach efforts bolster your company’s culture?
Our community outreach efforts are integral to reinforcing Workrise’s culture with our core values. Through our ERGs, we create opportunities for employees to celebrate diversity and inclusion, support underrepresented groups and drive positive change. These efforts cultivate a workplace where employees feel valued and feel a sense of belonging.
A prime example of this can be found in Workrise’s commitment to providing backpacks and school supplies with the Salvation Army. This initiative demonstrates our Learn and Grow value, and by participating in this hands-on effort, employees not only contribute to essential educational support but also gain an understanding of community challenges. This experience cultivates empathy and broadens our awareness of social issues — emphasizing a more informed and compassionate workforce.
Furthermore, our value ‘Solutions Over Egos,’ guides all of our community outreach. We focus on working together and gaining awareness of different perspectives to achieve shared goals. Our approach ensures the team feels empowered while maximizing our positive impact to build effective, more collaborative relationships within Workrise and our communities.
What advice would you offer to leaders at other organizations interested in implementing more volunteer opportunities?
Start by listening to your employees. Identify causes they’re passionate about and provide flexible ways for them to engage — whether through company-sponsored volunteer days, nonprofit partnerships or employee-led initiatives like ERGs.
The most impactful efforts at Workrise have been those that align with employee and company values and provide hands-on involvement. We saw the biggest improvement when we made volunteering accessible — by removing barriers such as offering virtual opportunities, having proper communication and allowing your employees to have paid time off to participate will help you demonstrate your investment in giving back.
Involve your ERGs or other communities within the company to promote events and inclusivity. Recognizing company impact also drives engagement. Building long-term relationships with organizations takes time, but allows companies to make a greater impact and foster a stronger connection to the cause. Leaders should champion these efforts from the top down, fostering a culture where giving back is not just encouraged but celebrated.
Canva is the company behind the free, online design tool of the same name that allows users to create social media posts, presentations, posters, videos, logos and more.
Describe how your company gives back to its communities.
At Canva, we believe in empowering communities through education and opportunity. One way we give back is through Career Spark Days, a program we launched at our Austin campus to support high school students from low socioeconomic backgrounds. We invite them to tour our campus, hear inspiring stories from Canvanauts, participate in a hands-on Canva activity, and share lunch with our team.
The impact of Career Spark Days is twofold. For students, it provides real-world insight into the tech industry, broadens their career aspirations, and builds confidence in their potential. For Canvanauts it’s a chance to spark curiosity in the next generation of tech leaders, give back to the community, and contribute to a more inclusive future in the industry. Programs like this also create a meaningful connection between Canva and the communities we operate in, reinforcing our commitment to making quality education more accessible to all.
How do these community outreach efforts bolster your company’s mission?
Canva’s mission is to empower the world to design, and we believe this extends into empowering future generations through education. One of the Canva Foundation’s pillars is quality education for all, and our Career Spark Days directly align with this by exposing students from low-socioeconomic and underrepresented backgrounds to opportunities in tech. By inviting them to our Austin campus, connecting them with Canvanauts, and sparking curiosity about careers in technology, we help bridge the accessibility gap and inspire the next generation of innovators.
Being a Force for Good is woven into Canva’s culture, and we encourage every Canvanaut to use their three paid volunteer days each year to support causes they care about. Many of our employees are passionate about education and mentorship, making programs like Career Spark Days deeply meaningful.
What advice would you offer to leaders at other organizations interested in implementing more volunteer opportunities?
For leaders looking to expand volunteer opportunities, start by making it easy for employees to give back. At Canva, we’ve seen that when we provide structured, meaningful ways to volunteer, participation increases.
One of our most impactful initiatives is Canva Community Skills, which connects Canvanauts’ expertise with community needs, providing lifelong learning opportunities that empower individuals to thrive. Through this program, our sales and success teams teach nonprofits how to use Canva, a free product for nonprofits, helping them leverage design tools to amplify their causes.
Our marketing team also leads sessions like "Social for Good," equipping nonprofits with social media marketing and community management techniques to help them achieve their goals and maximize their impact. This skilled volunteering approach not only delivers practical, high-value support to nonprofits but also aligns with our team's passion for using their skills for good.
