Building a new generation of philanthropists at Osedea

Since day one, giving back has been embedded in Osedea’s DNA. Over the years, we’ve launched initiatives like our youth-focused programming and design school, the Open Source for Good (OS4G) project, and a meaningful partnership with Le Refuge des Jeunes de Montréal. But as we’ve grown, so has our desire to amplify our impact—not just for today, but for future generations. Enter the Goblet of Giving—a playful, purpose-driven competition that draws its theme from a new fictional universe each year, starting with a Harry Potter-inspired launch.

In this article, we’ll take you behind the scenes of Goblet of Giving, sharing how it’s shaping our culture, and how we’ve already raised over $40,000 in our first year alone. Ready to be inspired and see how you could launch a similar initiative in your organization?

How giving fuels a happier, more connected team

Giving has always felt right to us. But as our team expanded, we realized our collective impact could grow exponentially. Employee engagement and happiness are core priorities here, so we took inspiration from insights by experts like Dr. Laurie Santos and Dr. Lara Aknin on The Happiness Lab podcast, where they emphasize, “Giving money away—especially to help others—has been shown to make us happier than spending on ourselves.” 

For Osedea, creating a culture of philanthropy wasn’t just a nice-to-have—it was essential. While we may not be a 150-year-old multinational, we’re committed to building this giving spirit with intention and consistency.

Taking inspiration and turning it into impact

Inspired by French company [Eleven Labs]’s team-based engagement challenge post-COVID, we reimagined the concept with a philanthropic twist. Our teams now compete in activities that raise funds for our partner charities supporting youth, equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), and mental health. Each action taken by our teams not only amplifies our reach but also builds stronger connections within Osedea.

Bringing the blueprint to life (the “how” of Goblet of Giving)

To bring this vision to reality, we organized our team into six groups. New hires are welcomed with a random team assignment sparking camaraderie from day one. Each action, from social media engagement to volunteering, generates points that convert into donation dollars for our partner charities, Le Refuge des Jeunes de Montréal and La Fondation Véro & Louis). The top team each quarter receives a special reward, creating a friendly competitive spirit while driving positive change. 

Defining our purpose (the “why” behind Goblet of Giving)

Our initiative was designed around four key goals that align with our vision for meaningful impact:

1. Building a strong philanthropic base. Rather than donating to many causes sporadically, we wanted to make a focused impact with key charities. This not only magnifies our contributions but also inspires our team to engage—even if it’s a small $5 donation—to foster a giving mindset.
2. Encouraging team connections. Team-building activities foster a sense of belonging and create memories, while shared goals bring us closer. With our activities team on board, we’re making sure everyone feels part of something bigger. 
3. Enhancing our brand visibility. As we reach ambitious marketing goals on LinkedIn and beyond, the initiative provides an organic way for our team to support this growth. Technical team members also contribute by giving back a bit of their time, sharing knowledge by way of writing articles and representing Osedea at conferences. ‍
4. Creating local impact. We wanted our efforts to make a tangible difference locally. Partnering with two aligned charities allows us to contribute meaningfully. This year’s bold target: raise $50,000!

Earning points for the greater good

Every action counts in the Goblet of Giving, from likes and shares to leading a Lunch & Learn,  donating, volunteering, and much more. Here’s a quick look at some point values (100 points = $1 donated):

• 50 pts per social media support (like, comment, or share)
• 100 pts per $1 donated to a charity of your choice (up to 250 points annually)
• 200 pts for team activity participation
• 300 pts per bug fix or documentation in open source PR
• 500 pts per feature contribution in open source PR
• 500 pts for tagging Osedea on your personal LinkedIn page
• 500 pts for joining the OsedeaCast podcast
• 500 pts for leading a 10+ minute lunch & learn
• 1,000 pts for publishing an Insights article 
• 1,500 pts per hour of volunteering 
• 3,000 pts for winning our internal photo contest on Slack
• 10,000 pts for presenting at a conference, event, or meetup

We also host bonus rounds—such as 2X or 5X points for actions during Mental Health Month or the 80K race for La fondation Véro et Louis—and create excitement with events like the Osedea Olympics, where team members compete in physical and mental challenges to win extra points.

Our impact so far 

With just a few weeks left in the year, we’re thrilled with what Goblet of Giving has accomplished. Here’s a snapshot of our Goblet of Giving journey:

• $40,000 raised (so far!)—$30,000 through team points and an additional $10,000 from individual donations and race event fundraising for La fondation Véro & Louis.
• 100+ hours volunteered contributed by team members. 
• 30+ team activities completed, from small team-building gatherings to larger fundraising initiatives. 
• Increased engagement and visibility across our Insights page, LinkedIn, Lunch & Learns, and conferences, amplifying our brand and philanthropic mission.

Although we’re just at the start of this journey and already see ways to improve on the initiative next year, we’re incredibly proud and grateful for our team. By sparking change through action, Osedea is building a lasting culture of giving—and as we continue to evolve, we’re excited to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible for our community. Stay tuned! 

What’s next for your philanthropic culture?

Creating a culture of giving isn’t just for big corporations—it’s for any organization with a vision to give back. Whether you’re just starting out or already on the journey, we’d love to chat. Reach out, and let’s talk about making a difference together.

About our partner charities

Le Refuge des Jeunes de Montréal

Since 2019, Le Refuge des Jeunes de Montréal has been a vital partner in our mission. Supporting at-risk and homeless young men aged 17 to 25, their important work transforms hundreds of lives every year and strengthens our community. 

La Fondation Véro & Louis 

Our newest partner, La Fondation Véro & Louis, has a clear and actionable vision: creating homes for autistic adults 21+ with and without intellectual disabilities. Their commitment to providing safe, supportive spaces aligns perfectly with our values and goals.