Case Study / Workplace
Gesmer strategically implemented Givinga’s technology to increase employee engagement in their workplace giving program and build purpose into their company culture
The Summary
Gesmer Updegrove LLP, an influential Law Firm headquartered in Boston, MA, wanted to enhance their corporate giving program and inspire a culture of giving in their workplace. They were looking for a solution just as impactful as a corporate foundation but more accessible, affordable, and easier to manage; something that would enhance their philanthropic strategy and uplift their current efforts.
Givinga’s Philantech® platform removed the administrative burden of their existing program and optimized their efficiency and engagement, allowing Gesmer to have a greater impact on the causes that they and their employees care about.
“Givinga’s Philantech® platform has provided the firm’s employees and staff with a user-friendly interface that makes searching and donating to charities simple.
…the firm’s focus on charitable giving has increased in a way that reflects the diverse values and interests of the members of the GU family.”
Todd Gerety
Firm Partner & Chair of the Charitable Giving Committee
The Business Challenge
Gesmer Updegrove has long understood the importance of giving back. They implemented a corporate giving and matching program prior to engaging with Givinga, but their HR department managed the program manually, resulting in an administrative headache for an already busy team. Furthermore, employee engagement was low without easy access to the program or matching funds. They needed a solution to increase the impact and reach of their giving program without having to take on the time and costs of establishing a corporate foundation.
The Partnership
Givinga’s Philantech® platform removed the time-consuming administrative work associated with philanthropic giving, allowing Gesmer to greatly improve their existing program. All charity vetting, donation processing, tax documentation, and insights and reporting are automated through the platform, allowing Gesmer’s admins to focus on the impact of their program and the engagement of their employees.
To further improve their matching program, Gesmer implemented Givinga’s modern matching capabilities and created pre-funded employee accounts for their entire organization—from full-time partners to part-time staff. By putting $300 in each employee’s giving account on an annual basis, they provide everyone with an equal opportunity to give back to the charities that matter to them. This has increased the diversity of causes and communities they support as a company, already having contributed to 70 distinct charities since implementing Philantech®. And with employees now deciding which charities to give to and how much to donate, participation rates increased.
According to Todd Gerety, chair of the firm’s Charitable Giving Committee, “Givinga’s Philantech® platform has provided the firm’s employees and staff with a user-friendly interface that makes searching and donating to charities simple.” In addition to its easy-to-use platform, Todd says that “Givinga’s customer support team has been terrific in quickly addressing customer issues and vetting charities for the firm’s monthly giving campaigns.” Thus, through its partnership with Givinga, Todd also says that “the firm’s focus on charitable giving has increased in a way that reflects the diverse values and interests of the members of the GU family.”
The Takeaway
Givinga was able to enhance Gesmer’s existing corporate giving program, providing best-in-class technology and taking on the heavy lifting so they could have a corporate giving fund that acts like a branded foundation. In addition to Givinga’s tech, their philanthropic expertise and resources helped engage their employees and unlock the firm’s generosity. They are currently working to better understand their employees’ cause areas of interest to build relationships with charities within their community, further expanding the program and its impact.
