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‘Businesses can be a force for good’: Legalite’s workplace giving initiative
Finding charities that staff and clients can take an interest in will help drive workplace giving, according to Legalite.
Lauren Croft
Following the success of their workplace giving initiative, The Giving Project, Legalite spoke to Lawyers Weekly about what sets it apart. Legalite developed The Giving Project as a way to give back to the community and engage both their staff and clients in not-for-profit workplace giving, something which is becoming increasingly popular amongst law firms post-pandemic.
“We believe there is a significant relationship between corporate charity and community efforts and positive workplace culture,” she said.
“Our staff love that they get to nominate a charity each quarter that is important to them. It gives them added purpose and fulfillment. For example, we have chosen Diabetes Victoria as it impacts one of our employees’ children, and therefore, it provides a special meaning and extra motivation for them.”
In 2021 so far, The Giving Project has donated over $10,500 to seven different charities, including RizeUp, Support Act Diabetes Victoria, One in Five, Share the Dignity, and The Smith Family, who provided the below testimonial:
“Legalite’s generous donation of $1,182 is enough to support the education of an Australian child in need for 22 months. This support ensures a child living in disadvantage has access to the learning essentials they would otherwise miss out on.
“These essentials include new school books, stationery, new uniforms, access to out-of-school learning support and more. This donation is life-changing and means this child can feel included on the playground and engaged in the classroom, helping them to succeed at school so that they can create a better future for themselves. Thank you!” they said.
Ms Kutt added that the firms’ clients had shown extreme support for the project – particularly when they are able to participate themselves.
“Delivering on corporate social responsibility is a great way to build a relationship with our local community and clients. It brings us closer together with our clients who are empowered to be a part of our initiative,” she said.
“They get to choose [which] charity 1 per cent of their invoice goes towards, out of our nominated charities for the quarter. This gives them the warm and fuzzies from giving back as much as us.
“One of our clients loves the idea so much that they are introducing their own 1 per cent pledge as a result. This shows the far reach that this initiative can have to influence other companies.”
In addition, Legalite is a Champion of Change Workplace for Share the Dignity, a charity that is working to end period poverty amongst disadvantaged women in Australia, for which the firm has committed to raising $10,000.
“We also participate in volunteering activities a few times a year together. This year, we spent a morning volunteering in the FareShare garden, helping to prepare meals for struggling Victorians. We invited clients along too, and it was such a fun day,” Ms Kutt added.
“Businesses can be a force for good – they have the power to give back more than people can on an individual level. By giving back to the community, it provides for a more rewarding, engaging and meaningful work environment.”
Ms Kutt added that this sort of work has become more important than ever post-pandemic.
“The pandemic has seen a rise in people requiring the services of charities. More now than ever, people recognise the role that charities play in our lives when a crisis hits,” she said.
“Firms can create a culture of giving by finding causes and charities that are important to their employees and finding ways to support them. There is a good chance many employees have causes they are passionate about. Some may want time to volunteer or do pro bono work. It’s about finding what they are interested in.”
Lauren Croft
Lauren is a journalist at Lawyers Weekly and graduated with a Bachelor of Journalism from Macleay College. Prior to joining Lawyers Weekly, she worked as a trade journalist for media and travel industry publications and Travel Weekly. Originally born in England, Lauren enjoys trying new bars and restaurants, attending music festivals and travelling. She is also a keen snowboarder and pre-pandemic, spent a season living in a French ski resort.
