Social Responsibility

5 ways you can give back in a virtual world

International Volunteer Day is celebrated on December 5th and it’s the perfect time to recognize the importance of volunteering and the impact it can have to help make our communities stronger. Together we can make an impact and help our community.

Written by Intuit Blog team
Published Dec 5, 2022 - [Updated May 22, 2023]
4 min read

International Volunteer Day is celebrated on December 5th and it’s the perfect time to recognize the importance of volunteering and the impact it can have to help make our communities stronger.

Together we can make an impact and help our community. That’s why we’re sharing five ways for you to volunteer, get involved, and give back — all from the comfort of your home.

Fulfill the wish list of someone in need

Brighten someone’s day! As organizations look to limit the number of people who handle items, many organizations are embracing wish lists to help those in need. This option allows you to shop online and have the perfect gift shipped directly to the organization. From the ability to adopt-a-family, buy gifts for local shelter dogs, or purchase books for local children in need, the options are endless. Be sure to reach out to your favorite charity to see if they have a wish list that you can help fulfill.

Donate to your favorite cause

Making a donation (and asking your company if they match donations) can be a great way to support the community during this tough year. Donate to your favorite non-profit so that you can help them continue to make a difference to those in need.

Don’t have a favorite non-profit yet? That’s okay! Reach out to your friends, family and colleagues to ask about their favorite organizations. Not only is it a good excuse to check in on someone you care about, but you may walk away from the conversation with a new organization that can use some extra support this holiday season.

Join your co-workers for fun ways to give back

Team building is more important than ever. In a year filled with video conferences and working from home, it can be challenging to carve out time to have fun and continue to build relationships with your colleagues. By volunteering together, not only can you connect with your coworkers but together, you can have an even bigger impact.

Raise your hand to plan a fun activity and host a video conference where you can volunteer together. From writing thank you cards to active duty military, creating toys for service dogs in training or even hosting a skills based volunteer opportunity like reviewing resumes, you can find a project that your entire team is sure to love.

Volunteer with your family

Leave work behind for a bit with activities that you can do on your own schedule and with those you love. Whether it’s a relaxing evening at home or during the weekend, take the opportunity to ask your loved ones what causes they care about most.

From kid friendly activities like writing thank you notes to first responders, making masks for children receiving cancer treatment, or even cleaning out your cabinets to donate non-perishable food, there are plenty of fun activities for people of all ages.

Do good in your neighborhood

Whether it’s picking up litter during a walk outside or checking in on a neighbor, you can make a difference to your local community. Volunteer and donate to local nonprofits and causes you are passionate about and don’t be afraid to find a new nonprofit that needs your help. Every act of kindness counts, even those that may seem small.

At Intuit, social responsibility has been core to our company since our early days, when we declared “We Care and Give Back” as one of our company’s core values. While we recently gave our company’s values a refresh, giving back to our community remains core to who we are. We believe in being stewards of the future, our goal is to strengthen the communities around us and not only do we strive to give everyone the opportunity to prosper but we want to inspire others to do the same.

This year, we announced the launch of “Give Where you Live,” a movement to encourage people to donate to small, local nonprofits that know their communities the best. We’re invested in small businesses and the people they serve. But local nonprofits don’t always get the support they need. To start, we’re focusing on non-profits in 6 dynamic cities with diverse populations that are driving local culture and innovation. Visit our website to learn how you can share the good in your neighborhood and drive donations for your local nonprofits.

No matter what you decide to do this International Volunteer Day, we hope you’ll join us to find meaningful ways to help give back to our communities!