Last month, Lighthouse employees across 23 states and four countries came together virtually to “Move for Change” in support of the Global Fund for Women. During the campaign, we encouraged Lighthouse employees to participate in any physical activity—walking, running, biking, yoga, gardening, swimming, or their favorite way to get moving. In return, Lighthouse donated $100 for each employee who participated to the Global Fund for Women.

The Global Fund for Women was selected by our Women Leadership (WLEAD) employment resource group (ERG) as this year’s charity for Move for Change because of its long-standing commitment to gender justice initiatives and movements worldwide.

By the end of the campaign, Lighthouse donated $5,400 in support of women’s rights.  

Since our first campaign in 2020, Lighthouse has donated an incredible $47,000 to a variety of charities doing important work in our communities worldwide through Move for Change.  

A campaign driven by philanthropic spirit and Lighthouse values

Move for Change is spearheaded by Lighthouse’s employee-run community action group, Lighthouse Cares. The group organizes many charity campaigns and opportunities to give back to communities throughout the year. Move for Change is one of my personal favorites.

The idea for the campaign emerged during the pandemic when we were missing the in-person volunteer opportunities we once enjoyed together. At the same time, we were actively searching for ways to give back to communities affected by social injustice during a time of heightened unrest.

We decided to start a campaign that would help us feel closer together and get us out of home offices in support of an organization committed to protecting basic human rights for vulnerable people—the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI).

Lighthouse employees, as always, showed up—raising $9,600 for EJI.

Since then, the Move for Change campaign has blossomed into an impactful annual event in support of charity organizations committed to underserved communities. As the campaign grew, we asked our employee resource groups and employees to help nominate and select the charities we support. Along with EJI in 2020 and Global Fund for Women in 2024, other charities Lighthouse has donated to through the Move for Change campaign include:

• Stop AAPI Hate: Nominated by Lighthouse’s Bridging eDiscovery and Minorities ERG (BEAM), Stop AAPI Hate is a national coalition fighting against racism and racial injustice targeting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
• POINT Foundation: Nominated by Lighthouse’s Pride @ Lighthouse ERG, the foundation empowers LGBTQ students to pursue their postsecondary educational dreams.
• The Center for Reproductive Rights: Nominated by a Lighthouse employee, the center works to advance reproductive rights as fundamental human rights around the world.
• Second Harvest of Silicon Valley: Nominated by a Lighthouse employee, Second Harvest distributes nutritious food to help end hunger in the community.

Moving into the future

It fills me with pride to see how our community of coworkers-turned-friends (and sometimes family!) rally around this campaign each year. It is such a unique demonstration of our employees’ generosity, enthusiasm, camaraderie, and dedication to supporting underserved communities.

Throughout the campaign, employees go on virtual walks together using their phones, showcase their chosen activity with photos, and—for those who happen to live close to one another—even meet up in person for runs, bike rides, and walks.

Four years later, the success of Move for Change continues to prove that Lighthouse employees, though often working remotely and in locations across many different countries, remain deeply connected to each other and our global community. Each year, this campaign reminds me that physical distance does not have to be a barrier to fostering a culture that is collaborative, inspiring, and committed to making a difference.