This year, we have aimed to shed light on the positive social impacts happening as people everywhere go the extra mile to take care of each other. When we focus on the good, it’s easier to face challenges and find new pathways for success. In our experience, members of the larger Denver tech community are highly motivated to help each other and participate in community support initiatives.
Whether donating to organizations on the front lines of fighting coronavirus, or supporting internal teams, all types of community support are vital to a collaborative effort that keeps Coloradans working and safe. Also, we’d like to hear from you! Have you heard of any awesome example of community support initiatives in 2020? Has your company gone above and beyond? Add a comment at the end of this post and let us know.
Denver Entrepreneurs Are Here For Colorado
Built by Coloradans, for Coloradans, Energize Colorado functions as a resource mobilization station for entrepreneurs, non-profits, and individuals looking for help. From securing PPE, to financial support, to free professional services, you can also offer services or “Give Help” through various opportunities.
Energize Colorado has brought together “passionate volunteers from the private and public sector” to build an inclusive movement focusing on the revitalization of Colorado’s economy. As this resource is meant for businesses and individuals alike, take a look at how they’re creating partnerships and innovating solutions for Colorado.
Shortly after schools closed, Sumo Logic offered a free work-from-home solution for teachers and students globally. The goal was to enable teachers to keep teaching and support their students with virtual tools that complemented their school curriculum.
Sumo Logic’s team also decided that donating to Denver Delivered and the Denver Small Business Fund would help people get back on their feet. Denver Delivered brings meals to low-income families and the elderly. Sumo Logic also donated funds to healthcare organizations to help pay for resources and supplies.
BWBacon Connects With Our Community
Here at BWBacon, supporting the Denver community is near and dear to our hearts. We think there’s value in sharing acts of goodwill in the hopes that they inspire and motivate others to get involved. BWBGiving has always had a focus on propping up local non-profits, organizations, and businesses.
BWBGiving donated to Rose Medical Center to help them source more PPE for hospitals workers and patients. We made a concentrated effort to seek out Colorado-based, family owned restaurants, and support them. Our team also worked on several projects supporting Colorado artists and musicians by promoting their virtual performances and services, including hosting an awesome virtual art class with The Art Barn!
Our underlying goal was and still is to build a virtuous circle through buying locally. This includes examining the businesses we partner with and asking ourselves, could these services be sources locally? The Denver tech scene is saturated with talented developers, designers, and engineers creating incredible, inventive platforms that will move Colorado into the future.
Community Support Comes In Many Forms
When you step back and look at the bigger picture, community support encompasses more than donating to charity. If you’ve felt like it has been challenging for your organization to connect socially or maintain company culture through a screen, you’re not alone. Our team has personally felt the loss of less in-person time together. While we understand the importance of partaking in a safe workplace and continuing to limit our time together, nurturing the relationships on our team is a significant aspect of community support in our book.
Earlier this year, we explored how companies were supporting their teams and strengthening their connections during quarantine. The extent of creativity, resilience, and investment that the companies we spoke with put into maintaining their relationships was key to their transition into remote work. In fact, of one KPMG’s key findings in their American Worker Pulse Survey from earlier this year found that 82% of workers surveys felt as though their company was prepared for the transition to remote work. This response suggests that companies are still doing a good job of making their people feel valued and supported.
Make It An Ongoing Effort
As we continue to navigate this summer, it can be beneficial to periodically re-asses or re-vamp your efforts to support your internal teams and the greater Colorado community. If you’re an employer, would your team benefit from an extra day off to reset? Are there opportunities for new employee incentive programs or special perks?
If you just feel the pull to keep giving back and help in new ways, it's never too late. There are amazing initiatives around Denver that need help now, check out this list to get started. Some volunteer locations have restrictions for age and health, but others welcome the whole family to participate in safe ways.
And finally, as restaurants and businesses re-open, the type of support they need may have changed. Start by reading our piece on creative Denver restaurants and try somewhere new for your next night out! If you're looking to make a big impact, local food charity and work service organization Metro Caring, located in downtown Denver, has re-opened its grocery services, but still needs volunteers to help. If you are under sixty and healthy, you can sign up to help sanitize, and put together packages for delivery for at-risk senior communities. Or, donate to the incredible efforts this organization is making to support the Denver community.
Here at BWBacon Group, we know and live what you are experiencing as an employer or job seeker in Denver, Boulder, Dallas, San Francisco, New York City or any of the other cities we work in. We believe great recruiting starts and ends with understanding people.
If you have any questions about living, working or playing any of the areas we serve, please contact us. We are happy to help. Seize the day, every day, that’s what we say!
