In early June, Braze held its fourth annual Volunteer Week, a global week of service where employees are encouraged to take time out of their busy work schedules to give back to the local communities where they live and work. Volunteer Week has evolved into a cornerstone of Braze culture, and we’re incredibly proud of our growing, collective impact year over year. This year, 662 Braze employees volunteered over 1,800 hours to support 38 charitable organizations across 11 countries.

The Braze Social Impact mission is to amplify employee passions, invest in our communities, and accelerate science-based climate solutions. As such, we partnered with organizations that embody this mission, particularly in connection with hunger and homelessness relief, environmental sustainability, youth development and career readiness, and community health and wellbeing.

Read on to learn more about the organizations that Braze employees supported throughout the week and how we worked to assist them:

Hunger and Homelessness Relief

Hunger and homelessness are critical issues worldwide, Braze partnered with 15 organizations dedicated to providing housing and food access to the underserved across France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Braze volunteers rolled up their sleeves to work with food banks and community kitchens, preparing and serving meals to vulnerable populations in their cities. This effort not only provided nutritious meals, but also fostered a strong sense of community. Our partners included Be Enriched (London), Bowery Mission (New York City), EVLoves (New York City), Caritas of Austin (Austin), Common Pantry (Chicago), GLIDE (San Francisco), HOPE Atlanta (Atlanta), Nourish Up (Charlotte), The Aliveness Project (Minnesota), and Oregon Food Bank (Portland).

In Berlin and Paris, volunteers collaborated with Berliner Tafel and Secours Populaire to collect and sort surplus food for distribution, an initiative that addresses both food waste and hunger, ensuring that vital resources reached those in need.

Leveraging technology, remote employee volunteers worked with Lemontree to increase food access by supporting their text message helpline that connects individuals in need to essential food resources.

Employees in San Francisco partnered with two local organizations, Larkin Street Youth Services and St. Anthony’s, to support their unhoused neighbors. With Larkin Street Youth Services, volunteers packed harm reduction kits, while at St. Anthony’s volunteers acted as personal shoppers for guests, helping families and individuals get access to essential services and healthcare.

Environmental Sustainability

Braze employees also dedicated their time to support organizations focused on waste reduction and conservation efforts across the globe.

To prevent materials from ending up in landfills and promote reuse, we partnered with Austin Creative Reuse (Austin) and Habitat for Humanity Restore (Toronto), where volunteers sorted through donations and learned about how thrift markets give items a second life.

Volunteers with a green thumb collaborated with Fort Greene Park Conservancy (New York City), TreePeople (Los Angeles), Denver Urban Gardens (Denver), Friends of Urban Agriculture (Virginia), Harlem Grown (New York City), Hackney City Farms (London), Earth Matter (New York City), and London Play Design (London). They work to help these groups maintain urban green spaces and learned how to optimize these areas for accessibility and sustainability.

In Chicago and Tokyo, volunteers removed waste from the Arakawa River and North Avenue Beach with HandsOn Tokyo and The Alliance for the Great Lakes, two organizations that work to safeguard the health of these waters.

Youth Development

Volunteers passionate about mentorship and youth development volunteered their skills in a variety of ways.

In Bucharest and Jakarta, employees partnered with Ana si Copiii and Muda Berdaya Bersama Foundation, respectively, to mentor children, offering guidance and career inspiration.

Virtually, remote volunteers worked with Seeds of Fortune and SuitUp to coach students in business pitch competitions, fostering their entrepreneurial skills.

In Brazil, volunteers engaged in sports and creative activities with children from the Jardim Panorama community through Project The Way, promoting physical activity and positive social interactions.

Community Health and Wellbeing

Volunteers engaged with organizations supporting seniors, individuals with disabilities, and children undergoing medical treatment. Partnerships with Beehive Industries (Sydney), Be My Eyes (Remote Global), Flamingo Chicks (London), Housing Works (New York City), Ronald McDonald House (New York City), and TOUCH Community Services (Singapore) addressed specific health and well-being needs, making a direct impact in these communities.

Final Thoughts

Volunteer Week 2024 was a success, showcasing the dedication and compassion of our Braze employees. As we look back on this incredible week, we are filled with pride and inspiration, eager to continue our journey of making a positive impact in our communities.

Lastly, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the dedicated staff of each organization mentioned above. Their commitment to supporting their communities and fostering partnerships with corporate groups is truly commendable and deeply appreciated. We look forward to sharing future updates with you all as we continue to cultivate a year-round culture of volunteerism and social impact.

To learn more about Braze and our Braze Cares Partner Program, check out our 2024 ESG Report coming soon in July.