Ever feel like your team building efforts could use a little more heart?
Charity-focused activities can be the perfect solution. They blend collaboration and camaraderie with a greater sense of purpose, letting your team bond while giving back to the community.
When your employees see the real-world impact of their hard work, it will boost their morale and improve their job satisfaction.
So, if you are looking for inspiration to get your team organised for charity activities, we’ve got you covered.
In this blog, we will cover 13 great charity-based team building activities that are easy to implement and will benefit your employees and the community.
What are charity team-building activities?
Charity team building activities combine two powerful goals: stronger teams and a way for you to contribute to the community. It encourages your employees to pull together on projects that make a positive difference for a charitable cause, whether it’s hosting a fundraiser, volunteering at a food bank or assisting in cleaning up a beach. You can also use a team building app or software to help you plan and execute such an event.
Team-building through charity-focused activities takes it to another level. While charity team-building activities are great at motivating collaboration, their true power lies in creating a sense of higher purpose among your team members.
Corporate event ideas involving charity create a positive feedback loop where your employees feel good because they’ve contributed towards something bigger than themselves.
Why are they beneficial?
Charity team-building activities are amazing for your employees. They give them a chance to break the routine and do something to improve the community. Your team members work together for a cause, building stronger relationships, trust, and camaraderie.
When your employees believe they’re making a difference for a greater purpose, they’re proud of their work and their employer.
Employers also greatly benefit from these activities. According to America’s Charities, 71% of employees consider having a giving and supportive workplace culture essential for their satisfaction. When your organisation cares about making a difference in the community, you make your employees happy, improving retention rates.
Team-building for charity is a powerful way to strengthen workplace connections while making a positive impact on the community.
Top 13 team-building activities for charity
Here are our top 13 charity-centred corporate event ideas for team building you can implement to strengthen your team and boost morale:
1. Customizable themed challenges
Create a tailored challenge with Teamupp to engage your employees while supporting a charity! Our team building software lets you design activities like step challenges, photo contests, or trivia quizzes.
You can set the challenge duration, select participants, and choose a charity to donate to. For example, host a “Pink October Challenge” where your employees track steps for a month, with proceeds going to a breast cancer organisation.
Action Plan:
- Download the Teamupp app and create an account.
- Choose the challenge type and set your parameters (e.g., duration, number of participants).
- Select a charity to receive the proceeds. Promote the challenge within your team and encourage participation.
- Track results and celebrate achievements.
2. Charity bake sale
Host a bake sale where employees contribute homemade treats. Sell these to raise funds for a chosen charity. This activity promotes teamwork in organising the event while adding a delicious twist.
Action Plan:
- Pick a date and location for the sale.
- Select a charity to support.
- Ask team members to sign up to bake or handle sales.
- Promote the bake sale through posters, emails, and social media.
- Collect and donate the proceeds to the charity.
3. Volunteer day at a local charity
A day when your team members volunteer together at a local charity, such as a food bank, shelter, or community garden, is a great idea. This hands-on activity will let your team see the impact they are creating in the community.
Action Plan:
- Identify local charities in need of volunteers.
- Coordinate with the charity to schedule a group visit.
- Inform your team about the date, time, and activities involved.
- Arrange transportation if necessary.
- Share the experience through photos and stories post-event.
4. Clothing drive
You can organise a clothing drive within the company to collect gently used items for people in need. This activity is simple to implement and fosters a spirit of giving.
Action Plan:
- Choose a charity that accepts clothing donations.
- Set a timeline for the drive.
- Place donation bins in common areas and provide clear instructions.
- Spread the word through internal communications.
- Deliver the collected items to the charity.
5. Charity walk or run
Organise physical team-building activities, such as company-wide walks or runs, where participants raise sponsorship money to complete the distance. This promotes fitness and philanthropy simultaneously.
Action Plan:
- You can choose a cause, register for an existing charity walk/run, or create your own.
- Don’t forget to set up a fundraising page for the event.
- Ask your employees to sign up and share the fundraiser with their networks.
- Plan the logistics, like routes and refreshments.
- Celebrate participants and announce the amount raised.
6. Office charity auction
Hold an auction where your team members can bid on donated items or services (such as a lunch with the CEO). You can then have the proceeds go directly to the selected charity.
Action plan:
- Collect items or services for auction from employees and local businesses.
- Choose a date and set up an auction space (physical or virtual).
- Share a catalogue of auction items beforehand.
- Host the auction and track bids.
- Donate the funds raised to the charity.
7. Plant-a-tree day
Consider partnering with an environmental organisation to host a tree-planting event. Employees work together to plant trees, contributing to sustainability efforts.
Action plan:
- Contact local environmental groups for partnerships.
- Choose a location and set a date.
- Share the event details and encourage team sign-ups.
- Provide necessary tools and materials.
- Take photos to share the positive impact.
8. Food drive challenge
You can hold company competitions where departments compete to collect the most non-perishable items for a charity of their choice. You can reward the winning team with bragging rights or a small gift like lunch coupons. The items they collect will go to a food bank.
Action plan:
- Identify a food bank to support.
- Set up donation boxes for each department.
- Create a tracking system for contributions.
- Announce the challenge and provide a deadline.
- Deliver the collected food and share the results.
9. Skill-sharing workshops for charity
Host workshops where employees share their skills (e.g., cooking, painting, or coding) with attendees who pay a donation fee. Proceeds go to a chosen cause.
Action plan:
- Poll employees to identify potential workshop topics.
- Arrange a schedule and promote the sessions.
- Set a donation fee and a method to collect funds.
- Host the workshops and ensure attendees enjoy the experience.
- Donate the proceeds to the charity.
10. Create care packages
Assemble care packages for people in need, such as hygiene kits for shelters or school supplies for underprivileged children. Employees work together to pack and personalise them.
Action Plan:
- Decide on the type of care packages and the recipients.
- Purchase or collect the necessary items.
- Schedule a team session to assemble the packages.
- Deliver the completed packages to the recipients or charity.
- Share the story with your team and celebrate the impact.
11. Charity car wash
Arrange a company-wide car wash where employees wash cars in exchange for donations. You can partner with a local business if you don’t have space outside your office. It’s a great way to help raise money for a good cause and to work together while having some light-hearted moments.
Action plan:
- Set up a car wash station at your office or partner with a local business.
- Promote the event and set a donation goal.
- Gather car washing supplies.
- Assign teams to wash, dry, and manage the donations.
- Donate the proceeds to a charity.
12. Adopt-a-family for holidays
Another great idea for a charity event is ‘adopting’ a family in need during the holiday season. You can ask your employees for gifts, groceries, or any other items they can gather for a family who may not be doing well. It’s a great way to bring your team together and spread some holiday cheer.
Action plan:
- Either choose a charity or organisation that facilitates family adoptions around the holidays.
- Talk with the charity to find out what the family needs.
- Lobbying your team to buy gifts, clothes, and groceries for the family.
- Find a place at the office to collect donations.
- Get the gifts and necessities to the family before the holidays.
13. DIY charity craft fair
Organise an Employee Craft Fair where your employees can team up to make and sell homemade products. Following the event, donate the proceeds to a charity of your choice. It allows your employees to flex their creative muscles while helping a good cause.
Action plan:
- Set up a date for the fair, and choose a charity to support.
- Ask employees to make things for the fair (jewellery, art, baked goods).
- A space to display and sell the crafts.
- Get the rest of the company and the local community to know about the event.
- Donate the profits to the chosen charity and sell the items.
5 Tips to organise a great charity team building activity
Charity team building is not about choosing a cause and running with it. You have to create a meaningful experience for your team.
Here are five practical tips to help you get from brainstorming to execution:
1. Define your objectives
Before jumping into planning an event, make sure you know exactly what you want to achieve.
Do you want to raise team morale? Strengthen communication skills? Perhaps draw attention to your company’s dedication to social causes? If your goals are clear, and your activity has a clear purpose, you can plan an activity that resonates best with your team.
Without clear objectives, your team may feel like they’re going through the motions rather than working towards something worthwhile. You should set that tone early and communicate your “why” to everyone involved.
2. Get your team involved in the decision-making process
If they have some say in what you are doing, chances are, your team is going to engage. Have your team members tell you which charities or causes mean the most to them. A quick survey or brainstorming session will help you decide the charity or cause that would be the best fit for your people.
Get 3 top options and have your team vote for one final cause. The collaborative approach keeps the team energised, and the activity stays aligned with the team’s values and interests.
3. Match the activity with your team’s strengths
Not all teams will be the best at doing a bake sale or a 5K charity run. The key is picking an activity that matches your team’s skill and energy levels.
If you’ve got a creative bunch, a mural painting for a local shelter could be a hit. For a team of enthusiastic go-getters, organising a food drive or assembling care packages might be more up their alley. The goal is to pick an activity that excites them.
When you tailor the activity to your team’s strengths, they are more likely to feel comfortable with their contribution. The more relaxed people are, the more fun they will have!
4. Plan the logistics early
The best ideas can go nowhere if they aren’t planned. Once you’ve picked the activity, break it down into bite-sized steps. Decide what roles your team members need to fulfil, set deadlines, and communicate with the team.
Pay attention to the timing of the events, too. Some activities may need a half-day commitment, while others may take a whole day. Don’t forget to check the budget, either. With a clear financial plan, you can keep surprises at bay.
5. Collaborate with the charity
How about reaching out to the charity you’re going to support and having them join in making plans? They will most likely have their own insights about what they want to do, and their input will help you make the most of your efforts.
For instance, if you’re organising a fundraiser, the charity could supply promotional materials or even send a rep to speak at the event. A strong relationship with the charity will make the experience more rewarding for your team.
Whether you organise something small like a fun run or more elaborate like adopting a family for the holidays, a charity event can help you create a fulfilling experience for your employees.
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