What if employees everywhere were empowered to give back and storytell like employees at VaynerMedia?
I thought it would be pretty powerful to change a few of the words in the VaynerMissions press release article I wrote in February 2021 in my attempt to inspire other business leaders to support their employees missions, just like Gary Vaynerchuk, so we can all make positivity a heck of a lot louder in our world together
Disclaimer: Despite this story actually being written on February 20th, 2021, I’m writing it from the lens of my vision and how I believe business leaders at companies will support employees 5 years from now
Record number of employees around the world raise awareness through the ‘401K For Your Soul’
Published: February 20th, 2026
For the fifth-consecutive year, employees at these purpose-driven companies across the nation will raise awareness for non-profit organizations and causes from their workplace through Storygive Missions, better known as the ‘401K For Your Soul’. This year a record number of more than 10,000,000 employees will participate, highlighting efforts to help make a difference in communities across the country. Storygive Missions initially launched as VaynerMissions at VaynerMedia before scaling to companies everywhere. These purpose-driven and mission-oriented companies, and more importantly all of their employees, will continue to share their stories and post about their cause-inspired missions throughout the year
This employee-led initiative began in 2021 and has since provided a platform to bring causes that employees at companies everywhere are most passionate about to the forefront in their workplace. This year’s causes include topics such as tackling social justice, supporting families in the wake of COVID-19, and bridging the digital divide. Out of the total, 20.5% of employees selected social justice causes, 17% selected causes related to youth and education while 14% of employees will support health and wellness-related initiatives. Employees at companies who have business leaders that include and support them to give back to causes they’re passionate about in their local communities are empowered to share their stories by posting their missions on their anniversaries at their companies throughout the year.
“VaynerMissions was originally created out of conversations with VaynerMedia employees who wanted an opportunity to shed light on causes that mean the most to them,” said VaynerMedia CEO Gary Vaynerchuk. Year after year, I am inspired by the growing number of business leaders and companies that empower their employees to create their social giving legacies as a part of their ‘401K For Your Soul’ by giving back to causes they’d like to represent. Every single person around the world has a story to tell and I’m amazed at the impact this simple storytelling idea is making in the communities in which they live and work, and society in general.
Throughout the year, we’re going to highlight companies that support their employees, their causes and their missions. The first Storygive Missions spot will launch on November 14th and will feature Gary’s friend and inspirational speaker, Simon Sinek, discussing the top three charities his team of employees chose for their missions throughout the year and why the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation holds such an important place in some of their hearts. A second spot will feature employees from different companies of Richard Branson’s Virgin Group who will call attention to mental health through the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Additional Storygive Missions spots will continue featuring a group of dedicated employees from Nike, who are supporting Charity Water, and the one and only Elon Musk, who will represent Tesla and share why Pencils of Promise was the most popular charity amongst Tesla employees. Our platform will highlight the stories, missions and charitable efforts of every single employee that wants to share their mission each and every year throughout their lives
Finally, employees everywhere have the option to share their story and mission by raising funds for a cause of their choice by posting their mission on their work anniversary and 100% of funds raised will be donated to the charities they select. Colleagues are encouraged to support one another by building out and creating their very own ‘401K For Their Souls’ and their Social Legacies at storygivemissions.com/legacy by helping raise funds for colleagues they want to support and for causes nearest to their hearts. For business leaders, to learn more about how to get your company and employees involved visit www.storygivemissions.com/ilovemyemployees
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