Living the “do good” value

07.23.25

Tammy Goodman
Producer, IVC Cares team member

Living the “do good” value: An employee perspective on IVC Cares

Giving back starts with purpose. At Invision, being a great place to work means more than strong benefits or a flexible schedule—it means being part of something bigger. As an employee-owned company, we believe in the power of shared purpose and personal impact. That’s why IVC Cares isn’t just a program, it’s a core value rooted in who we are.

In this new series spotlighting what makes Invision a best workplace, a title recently bestowed on us by Inc. Magazine, we’re excited to kick things off with the heart of our culture: our commitment to community and giving back. We empower our employees to own every moment that matters to them and to the world around them, whether that’s volunteering locally, responding to global challenges, or championing personal causes. When we give, we don’t just help others—we grow together.

How IVC Cares came to life
Supporting the community has been a core value at Invision since day one, championed by co-founders Rod Mickels and Drew Hagen. We’re committed to make the world a better place, not only by supporting our employees, but by championing the causes they care about. To amplify awareness and strengthen our commitment, we launched the IVC Cares program, a company-wide initiative that brings our core values to life. Today, our guiding mantra, “be great, do good, have fun” is more than just words—it’s a mindset we aim to embody across everything we do, which is why it’s woven into the fabric of our culture.

Turning values into action
It’s easy for companies to talk about giving back; it’s another thing to follow through. We take pride in turning every intention into action. Whether through executive involvement in non-profit causes or by dedicating agency resources to pro bono work, we commit our time, talents and energy to organizations making real change. These efforts span everything from campaign development and content strategy to full-scale event production.

Teens of Color Abroad (TOCA)

Real-world impact
One example is our work with Teens of Color Abroad (TOCA) where we helped shape their communications strategy, strengthened their social media presence, and supported their fundraising efforts. We also host in-office events, like decorating stuffed animals for underprivileged kids or making birthday bags for local families in need, so employees can be involved and make an impact during the workday. For those who prefer to give in other ways, we offer options like local volunteer opportunities, food drives, fundraising walks, and wish list donations. We make a concerted effort to host such activities across our core offices (SF Bay Area, New York, and Chicago).

We celebrate milestones with more than just words, we celebrate with impactful action. As employees reach the significant milestone of their 5-year work anniversary, we honor their dedication and hard work in a meaningful way. We donate $500 to a charity of their choice, reflecting our collective commitment to giving back and making a difference in the world.

Additionally, Invision offers all employees two days of paid time to volunteer for causes that they are passionate about. Last year, we invested over $300,000 in philanthropic efforts.

The Parker Project

Little Essentials in NY

How we choose the causes we support
The IVC Cares Committee selects organizations to support by reviewing possible projects/upcoming events and identifying those that align with our team’s availability, interest level and resources. We prioritize causes that have a personal meaning to our employees, such as the Parker Project, advocated by an employee with a personal connection to the founders. Team members are encouraged to recommend nonprofits they’re passionate about, and leadership evaluates these opportunities to ensure they’re a good match with our schedule and capabilities. We also make a point to share local volunteer opportunities with our virtual team members so they can stay involved wherever they are. In fact, employee relationships have led us to long-term, ongoing partnerships with organizations like The Giving Exchange (founded by co-founder Rod Mickels), Good Tidings, and EMpower, where we’ve supported some of their most impactful fundraising events.

What’s next for IVC Cares
2025 marks a new chapter for IVC Cares, a shift driven by growing employee interest and participation. The committee now includes 10–15 dedicated members, with additional team members joining in throughout the year as their schedules allow. Looking ahead, our goal is to sustain this momentum and continue expanding the team.

We’re working to formalize the committee structure and build a year-round calendar of events. Our aim is to align Invision’s annual workflow with activities and organizations we've previously partnered with, while also leaving space to explore new opportunities and support causes that matter to our employees.

Advice for building a culture of giving
Our biggest piece of advice: stay open and flexible. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to giving back; what matters is finding what works best for your team. That could mean hosting in-office activities, organize virtual events, or building service opportunities into company offsites.

Don’t be discouraged if your first effort doesn’t go exactly as planned. Learn from it, adjust, and try again in a way that better fits your company’s rhythm. Most importantly, listen to your employees. Find out which causes they care about, what organizations they’re already involved with, and how they’d like to contribute. Understanding their interests, availability, and passions will help you create more meaningful opportunities and a more impactful culture of giving.

Owning the moment together
At Invision, giving back isn’t a checkbox, it’s a mindset. One that empowers every employee-owner to make a real, lasting impact in the moments that matter most. From local volunteer work to larger partnerships, we’re proud of what we’ve accomplished and even more excited for what lies ahead.

Stay tuned as we continue this series, highlighting the people, programs, and values that make Invision a place where ownership, innovation, and purpose thrive. Up next: Innovation—and how we’re building the future by owning every moment.