This story was submitted by Appfire
By Fabian Lopez, Global Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Appfire
At Appfire, we believe in the power of doing good. We’re committed to giving back and we do so in a variety of meaningful and tangible ways to support initiatives and philanthropic organizations both big and small. It’s why we were drawn to the Pledge 1% community and why we established our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, Appfire Town.
Now in its second year, Appfire Town continues to deliver on what it originally set out to do — to ignite a social impact movement. We do this by supporting any individual who wants to propose an idea and see it through. We like to say, “If it’s big in your heart, it’s big to us.”
Since launching Appfire Town, we have seen our own team members fully embrace the concept and rally around one another to support causes important to each other. Over the past year, this has led to a 77% engagement rate by Appfire team members, and we are very proud of that.
But engagement with Appfire Town doesn’t stop with our own team. The program also invites our partners, customers, community members, family, and friends — a group we call “our neighbors” — to let us know what’s important to them. We look for ways to support them in giving back, and provide access to resources and encouragement from Appfire Town.
In fact, Appfire Town impacted over 940 organizations, volunteered 4,369 hours, and donated $450,000 to support a vast range of causes worldwide in the last year.
Here are just some of the important initiatives we supported in 2023 thanks to our team members and neighbors who came forward to highlight the causes that are important to them:
- Hosting the second “Resilience and Empathy” music festival in Argentina to support International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
- Participating in Adrenaline Therapy Sessions with California-based Warfighter Made, a program that supports veterans and their families.
- Packing "welcome home" kits for Transition House clients impacted by domestic violence in Cambridge, MA.
- Planting trees and building amenities in Ecuador with CHOICE Humanitarian.
- Teaming up with Ocean Rescue Alliance International to protect marine life by working on an artificial reef in South Florida.
- Partnering with ENGin, a nonprofit organization that pairs youth and young adult Ukrainians affected by the war with English speakers for free online conversation practice and cross-cultural connection so they can practice English and prepare for future global work opportunities.
- Refurbishing a school and a home for the elderly in Hyderabad, India.
- Conducting a kayak excursion to clean up Dushantsi Lake in Bulgaria.
- Providing assistance following natural disasters by purchasing and organizing emergency kit supplies through Global Empowerment Mission, collecting monetary donations for relief funds, and assisting local families with housing.
- Mentoring high school students in Boston, Palm Beach, and New York City during a business competition designed to help nurture their interests and goals, in partnership with SuitUp.
- Supporting the Jean Maggi Foundation through adapted bike-building events globally.
- Making stuffed animals with patients at children’s hospitals throughout the US.
- Continuing ongoing efforts in Moshi, Tanzania, by purchasing land, building a daycare, and providing other community support.
- Purchasing necessities for The Women's Rights Center and Shelters for the Homeless in Warsaw, Poland.
None of this would be possible if it weren’t for the individuals who raised their hand and shared their ideas, their interests, and their willingness to give their time for these causes.
We refer to Appfire Town as “The Global Town with Heart and Soul,” since it encourages everyone to come together to generate a strong social impact in our local and global communities, and we're always looking for ways to expand our reach in doing good. With a strong engagement rate from Appfire and such thoughtful ideas and actions from our neighbors and broader community, we're excited to see where Appfire Town will help next.
Learn more about Appfire Town.
1 Comment
