GoodLife launches employee giving and volunteering program

Goodlife Fitness Centres Inc. is launching a giving and volunteering program for its employees.

On the new GoodLife Gives platform, which is provided by Canadian company Benevity, employees will be able to donate to more than a million causes globally, with the employer matching their donations dollar for dollar, to a maximum of $200 per fiscal year.

Additionally, employees can earn “volunteer rewards,” that are put towards their $200 donation total. For every hour an employee gives back to a charitable organization, GoodLife will load $5 to their GoodLife Gives account that can be donated back to any cause of their choice.

Read: Fidelity Investments rolls out charitable giving program for employers

As part of the launch, GoodLife has loaded each employee’s account with $25 to donate to any cause of their choosing on the platform within the first six weeks.

“I love seeing the positive vibes and amazing energy our associates bring when they are volunteering,” said David Patchell-Evans, GoodLife’s founder and chief executive officer, in a press release. “They care deeply and know their efforts can make a difference. GoodLife Gives is empowering our team to continue to contribute to causes that are personally meaningful, whether that be donating time or donating dollars, with the additional support of the company behind them. I am looking forward to watching their goodwill roll out in their communities across the country.”

GoodLife Gives is one aspect of the company’s expanding corporate responsibility program. The organization has contributed more than $40 million to charitable causes and programs aimed at increasing access to physical activity and helping people live healthier, more fulfilling lives.

Read: How to tie workplace philanthropy into employee engagement, wellness

“Not only is giving back the right thing to do, but it also goes hand-in-hand with the core values that drive our business,” said Jane Riddell, president and chief operating officer at GoodLife. “Of all the things I’ve done in my life, the thing that has meant the most to me is giving back to causes that I am passionate about. My hope is that our associates feel empowered to become agents of change in the communities in which we live and work and that they take the opportunity to give back to the causes that matter most to them.”