Own Your Impact: 3 Ways to Give Back Today
When was the last time you contributed your time or talents to a cause you cared about? Working at Intel, many of us find it challenging to devote quality time to family, hobbies and other personal causes but they are absolutely critical to our individual well-being. When an Intel volunteer opportunity presented itself, I jumped at the chance to create an impact. The disaster response taskforce was established to find ways to use technology to assist communities after a natural disaster. I get to use my IT experience and interest in technology to help people, and it feels great making a difference. Unfortunately, such opportunities don’t always magically appear in front of us, we have to actively think about what causes matter to us as people and then actively seek out ways to make a contribution. That’s why I want to tell you about Giving Tuesday. It is a day dedicated to “encourage people to do good” [1]. In recognition of this day, here are three ways you can give back today.
1. Make the most of your monetary donation.
Donating cash to your favorite non-profit or cause is an obvious way to give back. However, donating money doesn’t always feel as good as giving your time and seeing the impact for yourself. That said, donations are still important. They allow organizations to support less glamorous operational needs like utility bills. Donations enable organizations to get exactly what they need when they need it. To make the most of your donation, look for matching opportunities. Many workplaces including Intel have matching gifts programs that instantly double your donations to an organization [2]. If your workplace doesn’t match donations, check out #GivingTuesday and your favorite non-profit’s social media channels; many have partner donors on Giving Tuesday that pledge to match donations made today (and ask your workplace why they don’t match gifts).
2. Help through technology—from wherever you are.
Help someone with the power of technology already in your hand. Be My Eyes is an app that allows blind or visual impaired people to use video calls with sighted volunteers to help with anything from reading a product label to distinguishing colors. If you are able to see, it is an easy way to help someone in as little as one minute. Another app that allows you to easily give back without adding much to your schedule is Charity Miles. You log the miles you run, walk, or bike and earn funds for the non-profit you select (donated by a pool of donors).
3. Share your professional skills.
Throughout my career, I have used my professional IT skills and experience both inside and outside of Intel, providing IT consulting knowledge as well as technical systems set up and troubleshooting for schools, churches, youth athletic clubs and friends. Our post disaster response effort was a great example of how Intel and Intel employees combined forces to identify a potential area of community need and apply the best expertise for that need. If your organization doesn’t have skill-based volunteering opportunities, try a volunteer matching site like Catchafire or Volunteer Match. You can search by your skills as well as causes to find the perfect match.
Now the next time you’re asked, “When was the last time you lent your time or talents to a cause you care about?” You’ll instantly have an answer. #GivingTuesday
[1] Giving Tuesday. “A Global Generosity Movement.” Web Accessed November 15, 2019. https://www.givingtuesday.org
[2] Eligible employee donations are matched through the Intel Foundation’s matching gifts program.
Reference on this site to any specific commercial or non-commercial product, process, or service by tradename, trademark, manufacturer or otherwise does not constitute or imply an endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by Intel.
