Associate-led Giving Campaign raises $1.5 million for non-profit organizations

Now an SVP of Collections and Recovery Operations, Rhiana has held a variety of leadership positions in her tenure, this year adding Executive Sponsor of the Giving Campaign to her resume. 

“I was honored to be a Giving Campaign sponsor and help encourage associates to give,” she said. “The people and culture are what have kept me here for nearly three decades; we care about doing the right thing, making a difference and treating each other with kindness and respect. One of our company values is to Be Kind and Pay it Forward, and I’m so proud of the impact we were able to make this year.”

Learn more about Rhiana and the 2023 Giving Campaign in the Q&A below. 

What is the Giving Campaign and what sets it apart from other donation drives?
The Giving Campaign is the one time of year when Bread Financial will match associate gifts to any eligible non-profit dollar-for-dollar with no limit. In addition to giving to the organizations most important to them, associates have the option to donate to the Help Right Here program, which is an internal program that supports associates during times of unexpected financial hardships. 

We also hosted several events and ways for associates to be involved outside of a direct gift. For example, we hosted a non-profit fair for associates to learn about local partners and their missions. We also had drawings for prizes, and associates could purchase a special edition t-shirt that benefited Help Right Here. 

How do you give during the campaign?
A portion of my donation went to Help Right Here; you never know what the person sitting next to might be going through, and I wanted to support my peers and colleagues in their times of need because I know if the situation was reversed, they would do the same for me. I also gave to the Mid-Ohio Food Collective. Food insecurity is a cause that’s very important to me as a mother. I have two daughters and it’s heartbreaking to me to know that there are children who are hungry. 

How did you become an Executive Sponsor and why is that role important to the campaign?
I’ve established a lot of relationships in my tenure, and I oversee a large department. For associates, I think having a leader you know be involved and visible can be motivating. Throughout the campaign, I kept a close eye on our participation rates, and my primary goal was to find ways to encourage associates to give. I led by example and found tactics that resonated with associates, such as sharing my reasons for participating and encouraging others to do the same. 

Since you started your career at Bread Financial nearly 30 years ago, how have you seen the Giving Campaign evolve?
When I joined the company, the campaign raised funds for only one organization and now we are making an impact for more than 1,000 non-profits every year. I love learning about the organizations that are meaningful to associates, and every year I’m amazed at how willing associates are to give. I remember filling out carbon copy forms to make my donations. When you look back at the evolution of the campaign itself, even the technology has evolved to being a completely digital experience. 

In addition to large community gifts, why is it important that companies also support associate-led giving?
Supporting our communities is important to our culture and who we are as a business, but it also empowers our associates and creates a stronger sense of pride. It feels good to give back, and seeing your dollar go even further is even more meaningful.