When Community and Corporate Purpose Come Together: Building Inclusion Together

On July 21, 2026, President Michelle Pfeiffer, three of our participants, Oscar, Kate, and Joey, and I had the honor of attending a community volunteer event at IBM. 

IBM is one of the Raleigh area’s foundational technology employers, with their team leading the development of enterprise software, hybrid cloud solutions, and IT services. After spending the day with their team, I can confidently say that their impact extends far beyond technology. Their commitment to investing in the communities where they live and work was seen in the day we shared. 

The event began with IBM sharing one of its core values: making a meaningful impact in the community. By the end of the day, it was clear they truly live out that mission. 

Through a partnership with Goodera, IBM provides volunteer opportunities and community engagement events that connect employees with local organizations like ours! We kicked off the morning by introducing GiGi’s Playhouse, sharing our mission, and explaining how our free educational, therapeutic, and career development programs empower individuals with Down syndrome while fostering acceptance and inclusion throughout our community. Following our presentation, Janice from Goodera led everyone through a fun, hands-on activity. Together, IBM employees and our participants created watercolor paintings and assembled Joy Jars. If you’ve never heard of a Joy Jar, it’s exactly what it sounds like, a jar filled with small items designed to brighten someone’s day. These included encouraging notes, stickers, and small toys, each serving as a simple reminder that even the smallest acts of kindness can have a meaningful impact. We had so much fun creating them together and look forward to sharing them at one of our upcoming community events. 

Beyond the crafts, one of the most meaningful parts of the day was simply connecting with people. We made new friends, valuable connections, and most importantly we introduced more members of our community to the mission of GiGi’s Playhouse. Those conversations are often where lasting impacts and partnerships start. When people have the opportunity to spend time with our participants, ask questions, and learn about our programs firsthand, they gain a deeper understanding of the importance of inclusion and their support. Those connections can inspire future volunteers, advocates, donors, and long lasting partners. 

Community partnerships like this are essential to the work we do. They allow us to reach new audiences, create meaningful experiences for our participants, and build a network of organizations that believe in creating a more accepting and inclusive community. Every partnership looks different, and we are grateful for the many ways businesses and organizations choose to support our mission. 

Some of the partnership opportunities available include: 

• Legacy & Long-Term Sustainability: Help ensure our life-changing programs remain free and accessible for generations to come through endowment contributions, multi-year commitments, anchor sponsorships, and support from family foundations. 

• Visibility & Employee Engagement: Create meaningful opportunities for your organization to engage employees while increasing awareness of GiGi’s Playhouse. This can include sponsorships for events like GiGi’s in Motion or our annual gala, naming opportunities, brand recognition, and company-hosted volunteer experiences (like the one IBM provided). 

• Inclusion in Action: Bring inclusion into your workplace through hands-on experiences that foster meaningful connections. Opportunities include hosting the GiGi’s Blooms flower cart at your business or event, on-site team experiences, and employee volunteer collaborations with our participants. 

• Employment & Internship Opportunities: Support workforce inclusion by providing internships, job-shadowing experiences, and meaningful employment opportunities when readiness, roles, and support structures align. 

Partnerships with organizations like IBM are about much more than a single volunteer event, they are about building relationships rooted in shared values and a shared commitment to inclusion. With these partnerships, we can create opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome to be seen, celebrated, and included in every part of our community. Every new partnership plays a vital role in helping us sustain and expand our free programs, ensuring that more participants and families can benefit for years to come. 

We are incredibly grateful to IBM, Goodera, and their amazing employees, who welcomed us so warmly. Your generosity, enthusiasm, and commitment to giving back made this day unforgettable. We look forward to continuing this partnership and creating even more opportunities! 

Are you interested in partnering with us or know someone who is? Feel free to reach out to me at [email protected]! I would love to have a conversation about where we can start our relationship!