Annual Non-profit Roundup for 2024
Supporting our Communities isn’t just one of Online Optimism’s core values—it’s woven into everything we do. From empowering our team through G.I.V.E. hours to amplifying local non-profits’ voices on social media to matching donations through Donate + Elevate, we’re committed to making a real difference in our communities. Join us as we look back at how the Optimists spread positivity and impact throughout 2024.
Donate + Elevate
Our Donate + Elevate program demonstrates the power of collective giving through triple-impact donations. When an Optimist makes a donation to any non-profit, we double its impact: first by matching 100% to their chosen organization, then by directing another 100% match to a selected non-profit aligned with our annual focus area.
In 2024, we focused on transgender healthcare and policy advocacy, recognizing the urgent need for support in this space. Our New Orleans partner organization, Louisiana Trans Advocates, provides crucial services including gender-diverse support groups across Louisiana, administration of the Louisiana Trans Name Change Fund, and connections to medical and mental health providers. For our DC-based employees, donations were matched to Advocates for Trans Equality, which works nationally to replace discrimination and violence with empathy, opportunity, and justice through policy advocacy and educational resources. For our remote employees, we matched donations to the Transgender Law Center, the largest national trans-led organization advocating for self-determination for all people, offering programs like Black Trans Circles, Positively Trans, and their Disability Project to address intersectional challenges faced by the trans community.
We’re excited to support non-profits that work for climate and land justice in 2025, including Climate Justice Alliance (CJA) and Land Trust Louisiana.
Appreciations
My personal favorite channel in Slack is #appreciation, where Optimists can give thanks to their colleagues through the work day. Three times a year, we tally these appreciation messages and transform them into meaningful donations. Each message sent and received contributes to a monetary value that’s donated to non-profit organizations chosen by our Optimists. This program turns everyday workplace recognition into real community impact. Below are the organizations that received support through our appreciation-driven donations this year:
- Acadiana Open Channel Inc
- ACLU of GA
- Atchafalaya Basinkeeper
- Beat the Streets
- Be Loud! Studios
- Birthmark Doula Collective
- Fearless Dallas
- Habitat for Humanity – St Tamanny Parish
- Hip Hop is Green
- Home is Here
- House of Tulip
- Immigration Services & Legal Advocacy
- Leona Tate Foundation
- Live Oak Camp
- Loaves and Fishes Soup Kitchen
- Louisiana SPCA
- NOCCA
- Palestine Children Relief Fund
- Pensacola Sings Children’s Chorus
- People’s Housing Plus
- PFLAG NOLA
- Rainforest Alliance
- SisterLove
- Sprout NOLA
- The Green Project
- The Youth Oasis Center
- Trap Dat Cat
- Trystereo
- YAYA Inc
Non-Profit Spotlights
Each quarter, we put the spotlight on remarkable non-profits making real change in our communities. These featured organizations share special connections with Online Optimism—whether through our volunteer work, donation partnerships, collaborative projects, or their impactful presence in our New Orleans and DC neighborhoods, or anywhere else an Optimist resides. Throughout 2024, we’ve had the privilege of showcasing these incredible organizations and their vital work. Here are the non-profits we’ve featured this year:
Volunteering
For the second consecutive year, we kicked off our annual company retreat by bringing every Optimist—both local and remote—to volunteer with Culture Aid NOLA. This inspiring non-profit has become a cherished part of our retreat tradition, providing food assistance to community members through their no-barrier, no-stigma approach. Working side by side at Culture Aid NOLA’s food distribution event not only helps our team make a meaningful impact in New Orleans but also sets the perfect tone for our retreat—bringing Optimists together through shared service and demonstrating our values in action. There’s something special about watching our team bond while supporting local families in Culture Aid NOLA’s signature positive and uplifting atmosphere.
Continuing our partnership with the Young Leadership Council, our New Orleans Optimists once again joined the excitement of Wednesday at the Square. At this beloved free concert series, our team manned the beverage stations, helping raise funds for YLC’s vital community initiatives. Every drink served supported YLC’s mission to enhance New Orleans’ quality of life through leadership development and community projects—a perfect alignment with our own commitment to supporting local organizations that make our city better.
G.I.V.E. Hours
Our team also was able to use our GIVE Hours to volunteer on company time! I personally took some time off on two separate days to do activities I enjoy—walking dogs (with ARNO) and gardening (with Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana).
Looking Forward to 2025
As we look ahead to 2025, our dedication to “Supporting our Communities” continues to grow stronger. Through our various giving and volunteer programs, we’re committed to creating meaningful partnerships that make a lasting difference in the communities we serve.
Does your non-profit organization have a mission that resonates with our values? We’re always excited to connect with new community partners and explore ways to amplify your impact. Reach out to us at [email protected]—we’d love to learn more about your work and discuss potential collaboration opportunities!