Giving Back at Work
“It is in giving that we receive.”
—Francis of Assisi
The holiday season is a perfect time to focus on giving back, and museum teams are uniquely positioned to make a positive impact in their communities. Working in a museum means you’re already committed to preserving history, culture, or art, so why not extend that commitment by supporting those in need? Here are some ideas to help museum teams make the season a bit brighter by volunteering together, organizing charity collections, and strengthening community bonds.
1. Organize a Team Volunteering Day
Volunteering as a team is a powerful way to build camaraderie while making a positive impact. Consider scheduling a team volunteering day where staff can spend a few hours helping a local charity or participating in a community event. Activities like serving meals, wrapping gifts for children, or organizing supplies at a food bank are great options for museum teams who want to work together and support a meaningful cause.
Tip: Look for charities that align with your museum’s mission. For example, if your museum focuses on history, volunteer with a historical preservation society. For an art museum, consider partnering with an arts nonprofit that provides free art supplies to children.
2. Collect Donations for a Local Cause
Creating a donation drive is a simple and effective way to support your community. Invite museum visitors and staff to contribute by setting up a collection area at your museum’s entrance. Choose a cause that resonates with your team and community—whether it’s a toy drive, canned food collection, or winter clothing donation, people love knowing they can make a difference with small contributions.
Example: Collaborate with a local shelter or food bank and use your museum’s social media and newsletters to get the word out. Consider offering a small incentive, like a discount on museum store purchases, to encourage donations.
3. Start a “Secret Santa” for Local Charities
The “Secret Santa” tradition can be a heartwarming way to get museum staff involved in giving back. Instead of exchanging gifts among team members, consider adopting a family in need or supporting a local charity by buying gifts from their wish list. Your team can collectively purchase gifts, wrap them, and deliver them to the charity, turning a familiar holiday tradition into something that benefits the broader community.
Tip: Have fun with it by letting different departments take on different items or families to support. This keeps it manageable and helps foster friendly competition around how much each group can contribute.
4. Host a Workshop or Event to Benefit a Nonprofit
Museums are full of unique talents and resources that can be harnessed for a good cause. Use your space to host a holiday workshop, craft night, or family day where the proceeds go to charity. This could be a fun event for both museum visitors and team members, offering activities like ornament making, historical reenactments, or themed tours. It’s a wonderful way to share your museum’s mission while also giving back to the community.
Example: Invite local artists to host an art night at the museum, with ticket sales or donations going to a chosen nonprofit. It not only supports a cause but also highlights your museum’s commitment to the arts.
5. Give the Gift of Membership or Admission to Those in Need
Museums are places of inspiration, learning, and wonder, and not everyone in the community has access to them. Consider partnering with local organizations to donate museum memberships or free admission passes to families or individuals who may not otherwise be able to visit. This act of generosity aligns with your museum’s mission and makes a meaningful difference in the lives of community members who could benefit from an enriching experience at your museum.
Tip: Host a “giving back day” where a portion of every ticket sale goes toward providing memberships or passes to underserved groups. It’s a simple but effective way to fund this initiative while also engaging your audience in the giving spirit.
6. Run a Matching Gift Challenge
Many museum employees may already be donating to charities during the holiday season. Amplify those efforts with a matching gift challenge! Reach out to museum leadership or board members and ask if they would be willing to match staff donations to a chosen charity. Even a small matching donation can have a significant impact, and it shows your team that their contributions are valued.
Example: Announce the matching challenge in an all-staff email and include a list of recommended local charities. Keep everyone updated on the total contributions so far to build excitement and encourage more participation.
7. Share Your Story of Giving Back
Don’t be shy about sharing the ways your team is giving back! Highlighting your museum’s charitable initiatives can inspire others to join in or start similar efforts in their own communities. Take photos of your team volunteering, share social media updates on your donation drives, and include a recap of your giving-back efforts in your holiday newsletter. Not only does this spread awareness of important causes, but it also strengthens your museum’s community-oriented brand.
Tip: Consider making this an annual tradition, with each holiday season bringing a new set of ways to give back. Sharing these stories will inspire your audience and demonstrate your museum’s commitment to supporting the community year-round.
By coming together to give back, museum teams can turn the holiday season into a meaningful time of connection, generosity, and community impact. Whether through volunteer work, donation drives, or charity events, your museum can make a real difference—and inspire visitors to do the same.
I talked about this on a podcast episode with my friend, Tacey Atkinson from Customers First.
Click on the link below to listen or check it out on your favorite podcast platform:
