Giving: It's Not Just For the Holidays

Volatility, complexity, disruption: these ideas appear regularly in the course of the work we do. They’re also indicative of the kinds of interconnected, hectic lives we now lead. Every day I hear commentators and studies talk about how technology is making us less social and more alone. So how do we create and bind communities? Are we too overwhelmed by complexity to pause and care for others?

The answer is no.  

It’s been an eventful few weeks for charitable giving. Giving Tuesday had another successful year, raising more than $45 million this year. Mark Zuckerberg announced he is going to give away 99% of his wealth over the course of his life.  And we are now in December--the most generous month for Americans.

The National Philanthropic Trust reports that Americans give about a billion dollars a day on average. The largest source of giving came from individual contributions. About 65 million adults volunteer 7.9 billion hours of service, worth an estimated value of $175 billion.

Here at PwC, giving is a big part of what we do, and along the way we inspire each other to think of those who need what we offer. For instance, we have committed to delivering 1 million youth education hours and reach 2.5 million students and educators through our Earn Your Future program. We will give away $50 million in grants through the PwC Charitable Foundation Inc. We focus on education, humanitarian assistance, and supporting our own people—by both helping them in times of unexpected hardship and by supporting the charities and causes they champion. Like our colleague Megan in Houston, who after being diagnosed with common variable immune deficiency in 2001, became passionate about raising awareness of immune deficiencies and earned a $1,250 Dollars for Doers grant from the Foundation for the Immune Deficiency Foundation.

Seeing this kind of difference drives us to do more. Of my favorite traditions at PwC is our Thanksgiving dinner. Hosting this dinner gives me a chance to welcome new colleagues to the firm and also spend time with those whose families are far away. What had started as a small gathering this year drew about 2,300 PwCers and their friends and families. But what I value the most is hearing the personal stories. For example, Advisory Associate, TaeHeon Jeong, told us that, although his entire family is in Korea, he was grateful to have Thanksgiving dinner with new friends in his new home in the United States. 

Family was also far away for Keerthi Malidreddy, an experienced associate with our Assurance Practice. She brought friends to the dinner, noting that the “fact that the firm organized such a huge-scale event really shows that PwC cares about its people. I’ve never been to this kind of event before, and it’s so wonderful.” 

For those of us with family close by, like Maria Vasquez, a senior assurance associate, the dinner was an opportunity to celebrate with colleagues and family.

There is a strong case to be made for evidence-based and data-driven altruism, and an equally strong one for being generous in our daily lives. While we may not think the small actions we take in our day to day lives matter, they do build community, and foster a ripple effect of empathy and goodwill. And I am proud to be part of an organization where community, giving, and inspiration are central to its culture. So this holiday season, take some time to think about and give thanks for what is important to you. I’ll be doing so. #pwctakesabreak

Hear more from Tim. Follow him at @Timothy_F_Ryan