The Gift of Giving: Using HeyTaco’s Collaborative Rewards for Charitable Impact

Bringing Teams Together Through Tacos for Charity

Often, when we think of employee recognition, the focus tends to be on what individuals get in return for their hard-earned recognition tokens, or tacos in our case. Whether it's a gift card, a branded t-shirt, or some other item, recognition rewards are usually viewed as something for the individual. But what if we flipped the narrative? What if, instead of getting something for their tacos, employees have a chance to give their tacos for a meaningful cause?

Research has shown that giving can be more rewarding than receiving. This (and every) holiday season, HeyTaco offers an opportunity to bring your team closer together through its Tacos for Charity initiative—a Collaborative Reward that enables collective giving for a charitable cause.

Let’s explore how this innovative feature can unite your team toward a shared goal, and why giving back as a team can leave a lasting positive impact on everyone involved.

Collaborative Rewards: A Joint Goal for a Bigger Impact

HeyTaco's Collaborative Rewards allows teams to contribute their earned tacos toward a joint goal, such as making a charitable donation. Employees can pool their recognition (in the form of tacos) together, and once the goal is met, the company can donate to a specific charity. This collective approach to giving not only fosters collaboration but also gives your team the opportunity to contribute to something greater than themselves.

Whether it’s donating to a local food bank, supporting educational initiatives, or aiding disaster relief efforts, Tacos for Charity turns everyday recognition into a meaningful act of generosity. This shift can be especially impactful during the holiday season—a time when people are already reflecting on giving and gratitude.

emagineHealth, a fully remote digital agency, has donated to over 20 charities

with the Tacos for Charity Collaborative Reward. 

Why Team Giving Matters

Research has shown that people feel happier when they give rather than receive, especially when their contribution is voluntary and connected to a cause they care about. The Tacos for Charity initiative taps into this natural inclination for altruism by allowing employees to contribute to a charitable donation in a way that is meaningful and satisfying. Here are the key benefits of collaborative rewards:

• Building a Stronger Team: Contributing toward a common goal can unite team members and encourage collaboration, fostering a sense of belonging and teamwork.
• Reinforcing Gratitude: By tying tacos to charitable giving, teams engage with the concept of gratitude on a deeper level, which can permeate the team’s culture long after the donation has been made.
• The Joy of Giving: Studies have consistently shown that giving can be more rewarding than receiving, contributing to a happier and more engaged workforce.

Making Tacos for Charity Meaningful: Three Key Elements

To make a Tacos for Charity initiative truly impactful for your team, it’s essential to approach it with intention. Harvard Business School research suggests that meaningful giving requires three key components: choice, connection, and impact.

1. Give Your Team a Choice

Allow your team to take an active role in deciding which charity to support. By letting employees nominate causes and share the stories behind them, you empower them to feel connected to the mission. This choice also extends to how they contribute. With HeyTaco’s Collaborative Rewards, there’s no minimum requirement for contribution, and the number of tacos an individual donates is private, allowing for voluntary participation without any pressure.

2. Create a Connection

It’s important to build a connection between your team and the charity. Share the story behind the organization and explain how your collective donation will make a difference. Photos, videos, and personal stories from the charity can help make it real for your employees, reinforcing the emotional significance of their contributions.

3. Share the Impact

Once the donation has been made, share the tangible results of your team’s efforts. What did the charity achieve with the donation? Whether it’s providing meals to families, funding educational programs, or supporting healthcare efforts, showcasing the results will help employees feel that their contributions have truly made a difference.

How to Set Up a Tacos for Charity Collaborative Reward with HeyTaco

Creating a Tacos for Charity collaborative reward is simple with HeyTaco’s platform. Here’s how you can get started:

1. Navigate to Taco Shop/Rewards page: From your HeyTaco dashboard, go to the Taco Shop/Reward section. Select ‘create a Collaborative Reward’.
2. Set a Taco Goal: Decide how many tacos your team will need to contribute to unlock the charitable donation. This can be any number you choose, based on the size of your team and the cause you’re supporting.
3. Select a Charity: Work with your team to decide on the charity you’d like to support, or let your employees vote on their favorite cause.
4. Launch the Campaign: Once everything is set up, announce the initiative to your team and encourage them to start donating their tacos!
5. Share the Results: After the goal is reached, make the donation and celebrate the impact your team has made. Don’t forget to share photos, thank-you notes, or any other materials you receive from the charity to close the loop on the giving process.
   

    

   
   

The Perfect Holiday Team Challenge

The holiday season is the perfect time to run a Tacos for Charity donation drive. Not only does it provide a meaningful way for your team to give back, but it also leverages the spirit of the season to unite your employees around a shared goal. Choose a charity, set a goal, and watch your team come together towards a meaningful cause. 

Let us know how your donation drive goes—whether you’re supporting a local cause or a global initiative, we’d love to hear about how your team came together through Tacos for Charity.