In the spirit of giving back to the community, many businesses organize charity team building events.
These events can take many different forms, but they all have one common goal: to help employees bond with each other and promote corporate social responsibility while also giving back to a worthy cause. A study by the Macquarie Graduate School of Management found that:
“93% of employees who volunteer through their company report being happy with their employer, and 54% of those who are proud of their company’s contributions to society are engaged at work.”
Not only are charity events a lot of fun, but they also help raise money and awareness for important causes. If you’re looking for some charitable team building activities and ideas for your workplace, look no further!
We’ve compiled a list of the best and most effective charity team bonding activities for your team members. From fundraisers to physical challenges, there is something for everyone here!
So, check out these 18 charity team building activities, games, and ideas for all types of groups!
But first… let’s answer some questions that might be on your mind.
What are team building activities for charity?
Team building activities for charity are events that allow employees to interact, engage, and bond with each other while also contributing to a worthwhile cause. While they can be in-person events, virtual activities conducted via Zoom, or asynchronous experiences, the common thread is that teams work together to support a good cause. When employees come together to work on a common goal, they are more likely to feel a stronger sense of connection with each other, their organization, and their community.
What are the benefits of participating in charity team building?
The benefits of participating in corporate charity team building events include:
- Helping raise money for a worthy cause
- Increasing employees’ sense of camaraderie and teamwork
- Boosting morale and employee wellness and satisfaction in the workplace
- Helping employees bond with each other
- Giving back to the community
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9 Charity Team Building Activities & Corporate Charity Events
1) Bike Buildathon
Charity Bike Buildathon is a charity activity in which participants work together to build bikes from scratch. This activity is a great way to get your team working together towards a common goal, and it’s a lot of fun!
Charity this supports: This activity supports Children in Need which provides vital support and care to disadvantaged children.
Why we love this charity team building activity: Build-a-bike is a great team building activity because it encourages teamwork and communication while also supporting a worthy cause. It’s a win-win!
Where to get started: Bike Buildathon
2) Random Acts of Kindness
This charity scavenger hunt is a fun way to challenge your team’s creativity and kindness. Teams will have challenges that test their ability, as well as an opportunity for exploring the city!
Charity this supports: These heartwarming challenges will benefit strangers in the community and get everyone in the office involved in a great cause.
Why we love this charity team building activity: This is a great way to get your team out into the community and spread some positivity! It’s also a great way to bond with your employees and colleagues. Whatever your group size is, this is an excellent charity team building activity.
Where to get started: Random Acts of Kindness
3) Donate via employee recognition
Courtesy Bonusly
If your organization uses an employee recognition platform, then you can easily incorporate charity into your daily recognition and reward system. Simply look up your platform and see which charities you can send recognition points to in the form of real0life donations.
For example, the team at Bonusly has developed an easy system where you can redeem recognition points you have received for donations to the charity or cause of your choice.
Charity this supports: With “custom rewards” your business can choose a charity that they especially want to support, maybe a local charity or an industry-related cause.
Why we love this charity team building activity: This is an excellent way to build team morale and show your employees that you care about giving back to the community. Plus, it’s an easy way to get everyone involved in something positive.
Where to get started: Bonusly Donations
4) School Supply Scramble
School Supply Scramble is a fun and interactive way to get your team working together while also giving back to the community. This activity challenges teams to assemble care packages of school supplies for children in need.
Charity this supports: This activity benefits local children in need by providing them with much-needed school supplies.
Why we love this charity team building activity: Caring for children is a rewarding experience that can help build your community. Helping out local children is a wonderful way to spend time with your colleagues, and it’s always fun!
Where to get started: School Supply Scramble
5) Military Support Mission
Military Support Mission is an awesome way to get your team working together for an honorable cause. Participants will prepare unique care packages for military members overseas. It’s a great way to show your support for the men and women serving the country overseas.
Charity this supports: This activity benefits military members who are deployed abroad and supports them by sending care packages and supplies.
Why we love this charity team building activity: This is a fantastic approach to showing your respect for the military while also connecting with your colleagues and coworkers.
Where to get started: Military Support Mission
6) Wheelchairs For Charity
Wheelchairs For Charity is an excellent method for your team to give back and demonstrate their support for important causes. As part of this initiative, teams will create wheelchairs for individuals in need.
Charity this supports: This project helps those in need of wheelchairs by providing them with the mobility equipment they require to live their lives.
Why we love this charity team building activity: It’s an opportunity to engage your team in something that has a long-term, positive effect. It promotes a sense of community, and it’s an excellent method to bond with your colleagues and coworkers.
Where to get started: Wheelchairs For Charity
7) Hardware Harmony
The Hardware Harmony project is a great charity activity to get your staff involved while also giving back to those in need of affordable housing. Participants will collaborate and communicate creatively through music-related activities they complete for the charity event before putting on an amazing musical performance during which all of the items collected will go towards providing supplies or tools needed by those without homes!
Charity this supports: This program is beneficial to local organizations that strive to offer low-cost housing for those who need it.
Why we love this charity team building activity: It’s a creative way for employees to engage with each other while helping out a great cause! Plus, the result is an amazing musical performance that everyone can enjoy.
Where to get started: Hardware Harmony
8) Scavenger Hunt Charity Fundraiser
Scavenger Hunt Charity Fundraiser challenges teams to complete tasks and collect items from around town that will be donated to a local charity. This fundraiser promotes exploration while also supporting a worthy cause in a way that is entertaining for individuals to get involved and help raise money.
Charity this supports: This activity benefits a local charity of your choice.
Why we love this charity team building activity: It’s a great outdoor team building activity and approach to get your staff out and about in the community, and it gets everyone active!
Where to get started: Scavenger Hunt Charity Fundraiser
9) Elder Care
Elder Care is a wonderful way to support the elderly while also getting your team involved in some fun activities. This event provides humor and laughter through skits, jokes, and other entertaining activities.
Charity this supports: This activity benefits the elderly by providing them with joy and companionship.
Why we love this charity team building activity: By getting your employees involved in charitable causes, not only are you encouraging your staff to give back, but you’re also building morale and team spirit!
Where to get started: Elder Care
9 Charity Team Building Event Ideas
10) Volunteer at a local food bank
Working with a local food bank is an excellent method to give back to your neighborhood and boost team spirit. You can collaborate to sort and package donations, or even help with fundraising efforts. You’ll be making a difference in your area by giving back to the community all while getting to know your coworkers better.
11) Send Gift Boxes To Support Feeding America
This is a great way to support a national charity while also getting your team involved. You can create care packages with food items and other necessities. This is a fun project that will help those in need and allow your team to bond over a shared cause.
With every Caroo care package purchased, your team will make an impact and donate a meal to Feeding America.
12) Interview Assistance
If your company employs a lot of entry-level or internship candidates, you can partner with a local charity that provides job training. By offering interview assistance, you can help those in need while also getting your team involved in the hiring process. This is a great way to give back and build team morale.
13) Interview Clothes Drive
This is a great way to support a local charity while also engaging your team. You can collect interview clothes (suits, dresses, etc.) from employees and donate them to a local charity that provides job training.
14) Can Food Drive
A can food drive is a great way to have employees participate in charity work. You can set up a donation bin in your office, or have employees bring in canned goods to donate to a food bank or homeless shelter at the end of the month.
15) Sustainable Living Challenge
This is a great way to get your team involved in sustainability. You can have employees track their sustainable living practices for a month and see who can reduce their carbon footprint the most. You can set up a recycling bin, start a compost pile, or encourage employees to carpool or take public transportation to work. This can be a fun challenge for your team members to work on together.
16) Partner with a local school to volunteer
Mentoring students is a great way to support your local community and get your team involved in charity work. You can partner with a local school to volunteer in the classroom, do a presentation, or mentor students. This is a fantastic way to make a difference in your community.
17) Corporate Retreat field trip
You can have employees visit a local charity to learn about their work and how they help the community. During your retreat, volunteer in the community as a team. You can do a service project, like painting a school or cleaning up a local park.
The Caroo leadership team incorporated a visit to the Helping Hand Home for Children during their latest offsite!
18) Provide team incentives for people who sign up for VolunteerMatch
VolunteerMatch is a great way to find local volunteer opportunities. You can provide team incentives for employees who sign up for VolunteerMatch and complete a certain number of hours. For every hour they volunteer, they can earn points that can be used to redeem prizes. This is a great way to encourage employees to be part of charity activities.
People Also Ask These Questions About Charity Team Building Events
Q: What are some free charity team building activities?
- A: Some free charity team building activities include volunteering at a local soup kitchen or food bank, serving meals to the homeless or elderly, collecting donations for a local charity, organizing a charity auction or bake sale, and planning and participating in a charity walk or run.
Q: How do I choose the right charity team building exercise for my group?
- A: There are a few things to consider when choosing the right charity team building exercise for your group. First, you’ll want to decide what kind of activity your group would enjoy. Next, you’ll want to choose a charity that aligns with your group’s values. This will ensure that everyone is enthusiastic about participating in the event. There are many great charities out there, so take some time to research which one would be the best fit for your team. Finally, you’ll need to consider logistics like budget and timing.
Q: How can my team support a local cause for team building?
- A: Your team can support a local cause for team building by volunteering, fundraising, or donating items to those in need. This is a great way to get your team involved in the community and bond with each other while helping out a worthy cause. Plus, it can be fun and rewarding!
