National Volunteer Week: Spotlight on Atlanta Team

How did your team first get involved in volunteering, and what drew you to it?

Our Atlanta office is unique in that it is a blend of legacy team members, totaling nearly 60 people across advisory, client service, investments, operations, HR, marketing, and more. On paper, we do very different jobs. In practice, we are a team that cares deeply about showing up for each other and for the communities we are part of.

How did your team first get involved in volunteering, and what drew you to it?

While our legacy firms have different origins, our Atlanta team is united in the desire to help our community. In our office, culture grew naturally from the example set by our leaders and from a shared belief that being part of a community means giving back to it. Even on the busiest days, there has always been a sense that some things matter just as much as the work on our desks.

What types of volunteer work or causes resonate most with your team?

We support a range of organizations, but Nicholas House has stayed especially close to our hearts over the past four years.

Nicholas House supports families experiencing homelessness in the Atlanta area. We especially love that they keep the entire family together and provide them with the tools they need to rebuild with dignity and become self-sufficient. This includes financial planning courses, which is something that resonates deeply with the work we do every day. Seeing the impact of that work, and the resilience of the families they serve, makes it deeply meaningful for our team.

Can you share a meaningful or memorable volunteering experience you’ve had together as a team?

One particular day at Nicholas House stands out. Around 30 of us showed up, not quite knowing what the day would hold. There was a long list of tasks waiting for us: cleaning, organizing, fixing up shared spaces. Within two hours, our group had completed everything on their list and was asking for more. When we serve, we really give it our all and strive to complete as much as possible to help our community.

How has volunteering together shaped your team’s perspective or strengthened your connection?

Volunteering has a way of breaking down barriers. You may be volunteering side by side with someone you’ve never worked with in the office. Whether you’re in an entry level position or have served in leadership roles, titles tend to fall away and everyone shows up equally.

It’s also helpful to put things in perspective. We tend to get so caught up in our work and the daily stressors that we forget how fortunate we are. Stepping into someone else’s reality, even for a short time, reminds you how much we often take for granted. Hearing stories about homeless families or the shelter animals we serve inspires us to continue to help those most in need.

What role do you think companies or industries can play in supporting their communities and making a positive impact?

The phrase “many hands make light work” is an accurate depiction of what we can accomplish when we come together as a team. Companies have the ability to bring people together in ways that individuals cannot always do alone. When that energy is directed toward the community, it can create real change. Just as importantly, it shows that giving back is not separate from work. It’s part of who you are as an organization.

What message or hope would your team share with others this National Volunteer Week, and how does volunteering shape your vision for a better community or world?

We hope more people give themselves the chance to show up. It’s easy to feel like there’s not enough time in the day, but even a few hours can make a difference. Volunteering has a way of giving back in unexpected ways too. It brings perspective, connection, and a sense of purpose that stays with you in your daily life.

What would you say to other teams or colleagues who want to get involved but aren’t sure where to start?

If you’re interested in volunteering, find an organization you’re passionate about serving and gather a group to join you. Serving together will help accomplish more for the organization while also making the experience more enjoyable for you.

Most organizations have a “Volunteer” tab on their website to make the scheduling process simpler. You don’t need a big, grandiose plan to get started: you just need to begin. Happy volunteering!