Young Professionals: The Giving Season

• November 16^th, 2023
• Events, Community, Networking
• Non-Profit, Fundraising, Volunteer, Donate, Chamber, Young Professional, Giving

Written by: Maddie Campbell, Chair of the Chamber Young Professionals Committee + Executive Director of Canadian Student Leadership Association

November kicks off the holiday season here at the Greater KW Chamber of Commerce, and throughout our community. We start preparing for many holiday parties and socials (including the Chamber Young Professionals Holiday Social at Lala Social House). We prepare for family meals and gatherings, check off our holiday shopping lists, and begin to set intentions on the year ahead. But amidst the black friday shopping, pantry stock ups and calendar coordinating of this busy season, one of my favourite holiday kick-offs can often be forgotten; Giving Tuesday. The Tuesday following Black Friday & Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday (November 28th) kick starts the holiday giving season. In our community, charitable and not-for-profit organizations are seeing record demand when it comes to food insecurity, epidemics in gender-based violence, and increased calls and need for affordable and supportive housing models.

The Greater KW Chamber of Commerce is home to almost 90 charitable and not-for-profit organizations that serve our community and beyond. The Giving Season is an important time of the year for each of these organizations, and one that can make a significant impact in their mission to better our community. 

This holiday season, the GKWCC Chamber Young Professionals Committee encourages you to start your holiday season by giving. Giving looks different to all. You can give your time, funds, or donations of highly needed items and more. This Giving Season, here are 5 no-cost or low-cost ways to GIVE back to our community:

1. Share community giving drives and campaigns with your staff and peer circles to raise awareness and encourage others to give 
2. Research the most needed tangible items of an organization you would like to support and add one item to your weekly shopping list during the month of November to donate
3. Start a giving challenge with friends and family – make a monetary donation of your choice to an organization of choice, and share your giving with 3 friends, encouraging them to do the same
4. Learn more about how to volunteer with a local organization you are interested in and contact them to join for the new year
5. Instead of a $5 coffee gift card, add a small donation to each of your holiday gifts or stocking stuffers – this is a great way to top up your holiday gift exchange at the office

This Giving Season, we encourage you to be leaders in our community by giving back in whatever way you can,  and making it a priority throughout this busy season full of socializing, camaraderie and connections. 

To learn more about the Greater KW Chamber of Commerce’s Charitable and Not For Profit members, click here: Greater KW Chamber of Commerce Charitable and NFP Members