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Giving Tuesday is a global day of charitable giving that takes place on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving in the United States. It was created as a response to the consumer-oriented days of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, encouraging people to shift their focus from shopping for deals to supporting charitable causes.

On this Giving Tuesday, we look back on some of the philanthropic events our offices have taken part in over the past year. Participating in charitable activities not only benefits the communities and causes we support, but also fosters a sense of social responsibility and community engagement among our team members. Reflecting on these philanthropic initiatives on Giving Tuesday is a way for us to highlight the positive contributions MGAC has made and to inspire others to get involved in similar activities.

WASHINGTON, DC

Since the early 2000s, MGAC has shown invaluable dedication to Calvary Women’s Services by giving financial support, in-kind donations, hundreds of volunteer hours, professional expertise, and more. This year, we have continued this longstanding support by making our largest donation to date and proudly serving as the Presenting Sponsor at The Hope Awards Dinner. In addition to our work with Calvary, our Washington, DC office is actively engaged in the Toys for Tots initiative. The fundamental mission of the Marine Toys for Tots Program is to gather new, unwrapped toys, and distribute them to less fortunate children during Christmas.

LOS ANGELES

The primary philanthropic initiative undertaken by our Los Angeles office this year was a Habitat for Humanity Build Day, focusing on the El Segundo development by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (Habitat LA). The development involves constructing eight new homes in the Willowbrook neighborhood of Los Angeles, featuring one-story, detached homes with private yards, attached two-car garages, drought-tolerant landscaping, energy-efficient appliances, and solar systems. A donation was also made to a BuildOn volunteer to construct a primary school in one of the world’s economically poorest countries.

SEATTLE

Back in March, the Seattle office actively participated in volunteering at Food Lifeline, engaging in the packaging of food for distribution to local food banks. Food Lifeline is dedicated to ending hunger in Western Washington, operating under the belief that access to food is a fundamental human right, and nobody should endure hunger. The organization achieves this mission by providing nutritious food to 1,370,000 people facing hunger, sourcing from various food industry partners. Through a network of 350 food banks, shelters, and meal programs, Food Lifeline distributes the equivalent of more than 282,000 meals daily. Simultaneously, the organization addresses the root causes of hunger, including poverty, racial inequity, and social injustice. This involves advocacy efforts to shape policy at the local, state, and federal levels, collaboration with organizations addressing poverty-related issues, and bundling food assistance with other community-based programs and services, all aimed at creating a lasting impact on hunger in the region.

TORONTO

Our Toronto office has extended support to three organizations, including Wheels of Hope, an initiative managed by the Canadian Cancer Society. This program offers subsidized transportation services for cancer patients, ensuring convenient pickup and drop-off services. Additionally, our involvement extended to the Christie Ossington Neighborhood Center, where we conducted a tour of their facilities and were impressed by the impactful work they undertake. Lastly, we have contributed to the Working Women Community Centre, a women-focused settlement agency dedicated to supporting newcomers in Toronto. Since 1974, this organization has been making a significant difference in the lives of immigrant women and their families.

LONDON

In our London office, donations have been distributed to four impactful charities. The first beneficiary is Women’s Refuge, the largest domestic abuse organization in the UK, dedicated to empowering women to live free from violence. Article 25, the second charity, focuses on improving healthcare, education, and shelter in the Global South by deploying professionals like architects and project managers to build hospitals, schools, and homes. Little Village, the third recipient, supports families with young children living in poverty across London, ensuring they have essential items for hygiene and safety. Lastly, the donation to Brookfield House, a part of Lime Academy Hornbeam, contributed to specialist learning equipment for pupils aged 2 to 19 with complex learning needs. The recipients expressed gratitude for the support, with Brookfield House sending a significant number of handmade thank-you cards to our London-based team.

BIRMINGHAM

In our Birmingham office, financial contributions were divided between the Brierley Hill Project and Brierley Hill Babybank. These two initiatives share a close connection as they address challenges related to affordable housing, food accessibility, support for young mothers and their children, and community education. As part of our ongoing relationship with Sandwell College, MGAC is also actively participating in its social value initiative by volunteering for a local community allotment improvement project in West Bromwich. Teaming up with O’Brien Contractors, our joint effort aims to perform essential maintenance on the allotment, encompassing tasks such as installing new paving, mowing, weeding, tree trimming, and general repairs. While O’Brien Contractors handle the structural aspects, we will contribute by assisting with painting, planting, clearing, and enhancing the overall appearance of the space. Our team is enthusiastic about this opportunity!

BRIGHTON

In our Brighton office, we are proud to have contributed donations to several impactful charities, each dedicated to addressing various social issues. Ned’s Fund is a notable recipient, a fund that focuses on assisting troubled children by providing them with opportunities to discuss mental health and engage in extracurricular activities. Additionally, we have supported Knight Support, a local food bank in Brighton, and Safe in Sussex, an organization dedicated to helping those affected by domestic abuse in West Sussex. Our commitment extends to Emmaus, a charity devoted to supporting homeless individuals, and Sussex Nightstop, a homeless charity serving the Brighton & Hove area since 2009. Furthermore, we’ve extended our support to My University Hospitals Sussex, an NHS Charity specifically aiding the baby unit in Brighton. Lastly, our contributions have also reached Pelican Parcels, a charity supporting children and parents in Sussex facing hardship, where we also spent an afternoon volunteering. These donations exemplify our dedication to making a positive impact in our local community and beyond.

In addition to donations, our Brighton team volunteered their time at Turning Tides headquarters in Littlehampton. The non-profit organization, Turning Tides, had a neglected community garden that was in need of rejuvenation. Our team took the initiative to transform the space by constructing raised vegetable patches, landscaping the overgrown areas, and generously donating a much-needed garden shed. Turning Tides expressed deep gratitude for the hard work invested in the project, emphasizing the positive impact it has had on their operations. The vegetable garden is now being actively utilized, contributing to the organization’s goals. Turning Tides conveyed their appreciation in a heartfelt thank-you message, acknowledging the significant positive changes made to the Littlehampton hub’s garden. The collaborative effort not only revitalized the outdoor space, but also provided a welcoming environment for staff, volunteers, and clients to enjoy.

GLASGOW

This year, our Glasgow office has generously donated to three impactful charities. The first, Scottish Beekeepers, focuses on supporting Scotland’s bee population through pest surveillance, regulation, and educational initiatives aimed at government, farmers, and the public. The organization also promotes beekeeping and conservation work through various public activities and events. The second beneficiary, Glasgow Southeast Foodbank, operates as part of the Trussell Trust, addressing issues of affordable housing and food availability by providing emergency food supplies and support to local individuals in crisis. The third charity, Social Bite, is dedicated to ending homelessness by offering homes, jobs, food, and support to those in need. Through their unique ‘Pay it Forward’ scheme, they provide free meals and build housing across Scotland to break the cycle of homelessness. Social Bite’s inclusive initiatives extend to offering shelter and festive food on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day and organizing fundraising events to support their cause.

MGAC’s philanthropic initiatives focus on enabling our people to make a positive difference. We concentrate on four key areas: environmental protection, education in marginalized communities, women’s empowerment initiatives, and affordable housing and food availability. By the year 2030, we have pledged more than $2M to our regional offices, allowing them the independence to contribute these funds to selected charities and communities.