With Giving Tuesday around the corner, it’s a great time to think about making a real impact for the planet. One simple way? Use your company’s workplace giving programs to support climate action and sustainability causes.
Many companies offer donation matching, payroll giving, or volunteer opportunities that can boost your contributions to causes focused on environmental protection, sustainability, and community impact. For example, a $50 donation could instantly become $100 (or more) if your company matches it. It’s an easy way to double or triple your impact while showing a collective commitment to addressing climate challenges.
The catch? Many employees don’t realize these programs exist. Spending a few minutes to explore your options could make a big difference for causes that matter to you.
What are workplace giving programs and how do they relate to climate action?
A workplace giving program is an employer-sponsored initiative designed to encourage employees to contribute to charitable causes. These programs are incredibly important for supporting charities and nonprofits working on sustainability and climate action, giving employees a simple, structured way to make a difference.
Why does this matter? Benevity’s 2025 State of Corporate Purpose annual report has found that acceleration is decreasing in critical granting areas such as BIPOC-led nonprofits, climate justice, and humanitarian aid and goes on to say “these shifts raise concerns about long-term support for systemic social and environmental challenges that are likely to worsen with rollbacks on regulations in some countries.”
The Clean Economy Fund released an update to their State of Climate Philanthropy in Canada report, noting that Canadian climate philanthropy sits at 1.5% in total philanthropic giving which places climate giving well behind causes such as animal welfare and social services, and miles behind major giving areas like education, health, and religious organizations.
It’s a very small piece of the pie, considering that 72% of Canadians have indicated that they are worried about climate change.
Types of workplace giving programs:
These programs come in different forms, all designed to make it easier for you to support causes you care about. Here are some of the most common ones:
Donation matching:
Your $100 donation to a climate charity could turn into $200 (or more) when your company matches it. This means your contribution goes twice as far in supporting vital initiatives.
Volunteer time:
Use your company’s volunteer hours to roll up your sleeves and make a tangible difference with your hands. Many companies encourage employee engagement through volunteer programs that allow you to contribute to sustainability projects.
Employee giving grants:
Find out if you’re leaving money on the table. Some employers offer grants to support employee-chosen causes, allowing you to amplify your impact by requesting additional funding for your favourite climate charity or project.
Payroll deductions:
Talk to HR to see if you can set up automatic deductions from your paycheque to support climate action projects. This convenient option lets you give consistently over time without any hassle, making it easier to contribute to causes that matter to you.
How to get started:
Check your company’s giving programs
Not sure if your company has a workplace giving program? Reach out to your HR or CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) department to learn more. Large companies and government organizations often have well-established giving programs. Examples include platforms like Benevity, which help employees donate to vetted organizations and match contributions (hint, hint: the Academy for Sustainable Innovation is listed on Benevity).
Explore causes aligned with climate action
If you want your contributions to support climate action, start by researching climate charities, or environmental groups that resonate with you. Many organizations are working on diverse aspects of the climate crisis, from decarbonization to social justice to climate leadership.
Spread the word
Encourage your colleagues to participate! The more people who use workplace giving programs to support climate action, the greater the collective impact.
The Academy for Sustainable Innovation needs your support
If your company has a workplace giving program, or if you’re considering making a personal donation, we’d love your support! Donate by Dec. 2, 2025, to be entered to win a print by Canadian artist The Creative Traveller and help support climate leadership programs for youth and nonprofit organizations.
