Corporate Philanthropy and Employee Involvement
Paycom’s philanthropic strategy combines the hands-on, ground-level nature of grassroots initiatives with the reach and impact of corporate-giving programs.
Each month, through the company’s employee giving program, employees can donate to a different non-profit through the Paycom app, and the donation is payroll-deducted. These donations helped nonprofit organizations provide essential services to vulnerable groups that champion education, STEM programming, mental health, veterans, children and youth programming and environmental education.
Chad Richison, CEO of Paycom, shared, “We believe in investing in our communities through both corporate and employee giving. Our employees showed their dedication and grit, too, and weren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves for a good cause. They gave time to local organizations for hands-on volunteering year-round.”
Here is an overview of the organizations and communities Paycom and their employees supported in 2023.
Impacting Lives, Communities and the Planet
To encourage active participation both in the employee giving program as well as their communities, Paycom launched their inaugural philanthropy fairs in 2022 in Oklahoma City and Grapevine, where the company also has a campus.
Paycom hosted philanthropy fairs at both their Oklahoma City and Grapevine, Texas locations this year. These events hosted nearly 30 nonprofits as a way for Paycom team members to learn more about area nonprofits and volunteer. Each attending organization was also surprised with $1,000 totaling $18,000 in Oklahoma City and $10,000 in Grapevine.
Nurturing the Next Generation
Through personal experience or kids of their own, the Paycom team witnessed the impact of youth-focused programs guiding the most vulnerable populations toward a better future. Paycom’s contributions included:
- $30,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Oklahoma County and Greater Tarrant County, which provide a safe space for young people, especially those from economically disadvantaged circumstances.
- $100,000 to children in foster care, including a $75,000 donation to Anna’s House Foundation and $25,000 to the National Foster Parent Association (NFPA).
Paycom regularly supports STEM and humanities educational programs shaping the next generation of professionals. These initiatives were as follows:
- $65,000 to support the Hawaii STEM Learning Partnership, an initiative by the Hawaii Community Foundation to enhance STEM education for students on Hawaiian Islands.
- $25,000 to the FIRST® Robotics Competition and First Down initiative, Oklahoma’s regional robotics event promoting innovation and hands-on STEM experiences for youth; $25 was donated for every first down made by the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University’s football teams, enabling Oklahoma’s FIRST participants to compete locally with the prospect of advancing to the world championships in Houston.
- $50,000 to the Putnam City Public Schools Foundation for its Communities and Schools Together (CAST) initiative, enhancing mentoring opportunities and healthcare accessibility for students.
- $15,000 to the EXPO Center Clubhouse, an after-school STEM program in Los Angeles targeting underserved communities. Specifically, $250 was given for every goal scored during the Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) 2023 season as part of LAFC’s Goals for STEM initiative.
- $50,000 to the Oklahoma City Public Schools Foundation, supporting the ReadOKC literacy program, which aims to instill a love of reading in Oklahoma City Public Schools’ students, as part of National Reading Month.
- $116,000 to the Millwood Enrichment Foundation for their marching band program.
- $50,000 gifted to the Edmond Public Schools Foundation to support mental health and wellness initiatives, affecting over 26,000 students.
Supporting and uplifting those who are struggling with mental health issues is paramount too Paycom.
- $50,000 to The Trevor Project, which provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for LGBTQ+ youth.
- Paycom’s employee giving program facilitated a $30,000 donation to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), supporting digital and in-person mental health resources nationwide, including education programs and expanded advocacy opportunities.
Paycom’s charitable efforts for young people extended internationally with a $30,000 donation to Maisha Project, an international organization headquartered in Oklahoma City dedicated to working with abandoned, orphaned and vulnerable children in the rural villages of Kenya. The funds supported Maisha Project’s areas of greatest need, including health, education, and economic empowerment initiatives.
Supporting Veterans
Paycom’s commitment to employee health and wellness, as well as community welfare, was also evident in their work for veterans. In addition to employing veterans, Paycom also made sure to donate money to supporting this important group.
- Paycom employees raised $133,963 for the Courage Foundation in a fitness challenge called “Burpees for Vets”, aimed at helping veterans facing post-traumatic stress. For every burpee employees completed, Paycom donated $1 to the foundation, totaling 133,963 successful burpees.
- $30,000 was donated to the United Service Organizations, the nation’s leading organization serving the men and women in the U.S. military and their families.
Addressing Food Insecurity, Cancer and More
Paycom addressed other vulnerable populations and prominent health and welfare issues impacting millions, including food insecurity, cancer and more.
- 300,000 meals were contributed to feed those who go hungry every day, including 44,260 packaged meals distributed at local food banks.
- $45,000 was given to Feeding America and Oklahoma and Texas food banks.
- A $30,000 donation was made to the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge program, providing free lodging to cancer patients undergoing treatment and their caregivers away from home. The donations were given to the Oklahoma City Chad Richison Hope Lodge, named after Paycom’s founder and CEO, as well as Dallas’ Gene and Jerry Jones Family Hope Lodge.
- $125,000 was given to The Salvation Army of Central Oklahoma and North Texas to help with food insecurity, warmth for the winter and other services Salvation Army provides to those in need.
- $30,000 was donated to Canine Companions of Irving, Texas, who are furthering inclusion – another priority of Paycom – by providing highly trained service dogs to people with disabilities at no charge.
Additional Philanthropic Efforts
Being environmentally conscious is another core value of Paycom. “Being good stewards of our planet and minimizing our environmental impact is important to us,” said Chad.
They donated $40,000 to the PADI AWARE Foundation, a nonprofit that works to tackle key ocean threats like marine habitat loss and vulnerable species protection while promoting global ocean conservation.
These diverse initiatives showcase Paycom’s dedication to supporting educational, sustainable causes and ensuring basic needs are met for a brighter future.
Future Plans for Paycom’s Philanthropic Activities
The impact Paycom has made in 2023 has inspired even more ambitious goals for future philanthropic endeavors and related employee engagement.
Through incorporating ERGs into its giving strategy, Paycom envisions an even greater involvement in the community, incorporating sustainability initiatives and additional partnerships with nonprofit organizations.
As we look back at 2023, it’s clear that corporate philanthropy is ingrained in Paycom’s culture. The company’s contributions, coupled with employees’ active participation in community service, have achieved significant social impacts and strengthened communities.
Paycom has set a high standard for corporate giving and remains committed to making the world a better place through its philanthropic efforts.