At Algolia, our commitment to making a positive impact extends far beyond the digital landscape. We believe in the power of collective action, the strength of community, and the capacity for change when individuals come together for a common cause.

This philosophy led to our signing the 1% Pledge and the inception of our Global Giving Days – an initiative designed to unite Algolians in philanthropy and social responsibility and deliver on our commitment to dedicating 1% of Algolians time to volunteerism. 

While charitable matching and donations have been a core action of our value of care since our founding, our inaugural Giving Day in June marked the beginning of our formalized social purpose program and collaboration as a global team to give back.

Participation Highlights

Our first Global Giving Day was held in June 2023. The dedication and compassion of our team members was fun to witness as individuals around the world join in-person and virtual volunteer events. 

• Total Events: We hosted 19 events, each with a unique purpose and focus, to support our June Giving Day. We organized in-person and virtual events to provide each Algolian the opportunity to participate however they chose.  
• Participation Rate: An astounding 46% of Algolians, totaling 322 individuals, volunteered on June 23rd and June 27. 
• Planned Activities: Of these participants, 286 (41%) actively engaged in our planned activities. Among them, 44% joined in-person events and 56% embraced virtual participation.
• Volunteerism: Beyond our organized events, 36 Algolians expressed their intention to volunteer independently with organizations with whom they have existing relationships. 
• Global Reach: Algolia’s Global Giving Day transcended borders, with in-person events in seven cities worldwide and spanning four different time zones. It truly was a global movement.
• Supporting Non-Profits: A remarkable 18 non-profit organizations benefited from the generosity and efforts of Algolians.
• Kit Submissions: We created a variety of kits to be delivered to support the needs of our non-profit partners’ beneficiaries. Overall, a staggering 722 kits were submitted to nonprofits and their beneficiaries across five countries.

In-Person Events

Algolians around the world rolled up their sleeves, coming together in-person to make a tangible difference. In cities from Atlanta to Sydney, our teams assembled kits for children with learning differences, crafted book bundles for underserved communities, designed STEM kits to inspire young women, and more. The cities that hosted these impactful gatherings included Atlanta, Boston, NYC, SF, London, Paris, and Sydney.

[caption id="attachment_19429" align="aligncenter" width="533"] Algolians in our Atlanta hub created STEAM invention kits for Johnson STEM Activity Center[/caption]

Virtual Events

Our virtual events were equally impactful, with participants joining from EMEA, US East Coast, US West Coast, and APAC regions. Team members enjoyed recorded audio stories to educate children about science, curated a job board of LGBTQ+ friendly employers, and created educational audiobooks, among other endeavors.

[caption id="attachment_19430" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Algolias in APAC learned Auslan and recorded a birthday wish for a person with hearing loss for Deaf Children Australia[/caption]

Testimonies of Impact

One of the most heartwarming aspects of our Global Giving Day was the impact it had on beneficiaries and participants alike. An Algolian shared:

“I’ve seen that I can help people from my home…it added sense to my day. I appreciate that Algolia put this opportunity in front of me and prepared everything so all I had to do was say yes to a calendar invite.” - Algolia employee

“The idea of being able to help those in need is very powerful and motivating. I am happy to work for a company that shares these values.” - Algolia employee 

Cradles to Crayons, a beneficiary that our colleagues in Boston supported by creating bundles of books for underserved communities, expressed their gratitude for Algolia:

Your dedication and enthusiasm in creating these bundles for children from marginalized families have made a lasting impact on their lives. Your commitment to our cause is truly inspiring, and we cannot express enough how appreciative we are for your generosity. These book bundles will not only provide educational opportunities but also spark joy and imagination in the hearts of the little ones we serve. Thank you for being a beacon of hope and for making a difference in the lives of these children.”

Feedback and Key Takeaways

Algolia’s commitment to continuous improvement is reflected in the feedback we gathered from our Global Giving Day participants. Here are some key insights:

• Enjoyment: Overall, Algolians enjoyed the Giving Day and appreciated the initiative. They are excited to continue the program and seek new opportunities to give back! 
• In-Person Connection: The opportunity to connect in person was a highlight for many.
• Areas for Improvement: Some areas that emerged for improvement included addressing inconsistencies among location experiences, enhancing the perceived impact of activities, and providing clarity in communications.

Future Giving Days

Algolia is committed to building on the success of our inaugural Global Giving Day. We’ve taken your feedback to heart, and here’s how we plan to apply it:

• Community Engagement: Seek opportunities for activities either in the community or directly with beneficiaries, fostering a deeper sense of impact.
• Regional Support: Leverage Community Leaders to support locations and regions for virtual events, ensuring smoother execution.
• Collaborative Virtual Activities: Make virtual activities more team-oriented to enhance the sense of collaboration and connection.

We are immensely proud of the impact we achieved during our inaugural Global Giving Day. Together, we demonstrated the power of community, compassion, and commitment to making the world a better place. Our journey continues, and we invite you to join us in creating a brighter future through the spirit of giving. Thank you for being a part of Giving Days!