Calendly’s Belonging Groups Make a Meaningful Impact to Valuable Organizations That Support Their Communities

At Calendly, we have been focusing on putting more intention behind our actions as we embark on our DEI journey and making Calendly a more inclusive company people want to be a part of and customers to feel good doing business with. A key milestone in our journey has been to create Belonging Groups that provide safe spaces for team members to come together, share experiences, and build connections in a remote first environment. In the spirit of giving and supporting others within their communities, each Belonging Group came together with their members and selected a charity to give back to in hopes of making an impact. These are the organizations that our Belonging Groups chose and why, in hopes of sharing the impact that you too could make this holiday season. 

Pride @ Calendly

Pride @ Calendly provides a network that supports the professional development of LGBTQ+ team members; facilitates recruitment and retention efforts; builds community; and works with senior management to develop policies and practices that positively impact LGBTQ+ team members at Calendly.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 10 to 24 (Hedegaard, Curtin, & Warner, 2018) — and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth are at significantly increased risk. The Trevor Project is the world’s largest suicide prevention and mental health organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) young people. 

Women @ Calendly

Women @ Calendly provides a sense of community, a support system, activates personal growth and the opportunity to impact change organizationally.

La Leche League International mission is to help mothers worldwide to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education, and to promote a better understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother. Many women at Calendly either know or have been in the position where they needed guidance when trying to feed their children. The support from La Leche League International was greatly appreciated. Women @ Calendly hopes this donation goes towards continuing to support women and mothers.

AAPI @ Calendly

AAPI @ Calendly aims to represent the interests of the Asian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern & Desi American employees, and support Calendly’s overall diversity and inclusion goals. We strive to offer a safe space rooted in kindness and empathy for members to share their unique life experiences and seek collective support.

In the past year, hate crimes against the Asian American community has risen over 339%. To combat this growing statistic, AAPI @ Calendly is donating to Asian Americans Advancing Justice. The AAJC is a national organization located in Washington D.C. dedicated to advancing the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and building a fair and equitable society for all through public education, public policy advocacy, community organizing, and litigation.

Black @ Calendly

Black @ Calendly works to integrate best practices for diversity, equity, and inclusion into Calendly policies and programs. We serve as an advisory body to the Calendly Management and Engagement Team, in reference to the Black community at Calendly. 

Black Americans are disproportionately affected by mental illness and poverty. Black and African American mental health professionals are disproportionately underrepresented as they account for just 5% of the psychology workforce. While the average cost for a therapy session can be over $125, Black therapists are also caught in a cycle of financial strain due to providing lower-cost services to Black people who often don't have the resources, but have a higher need, for mental health access- deeming black therapists for Black people highly inaccessible. Free Black Therapy is a 501c3 Nonprofit Organization dedicated to providing remote mental health services with Black Mental Health professionals for Black and African American individuals. Absolutely FREE. 

Access @ Calendly

Access at Calendly provides an inclusive safe space, support, and assistance in the professional development of team members with physical and mental disabilities, mental illnesses, neurodiversities and/or chronic medical issues while being an advocate for the community.

“I have battled mental illness since I was 12 and during these times people did not take me seriously. They thought it was because I was an adolescent and that may have been a contributing factor but I felt like my feelings weren’t valid. NAMI changed all of this for me. They provided me with resources on mental health, they have a hotline for people to call when they are in times of crisis, and they educate those with mental illness (and those who love those with mental illness)” shares a Calendly team member.

Stories such as this are why Access @ Calendly chose to donate to National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. NAMI provides advocacy, education, support and public awareness so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives. NAMI envisions a world where all people affected by mental illness live healthy, fulfilling lives supported by a community that cares.

Latine @ Calendly

Latine @ Calendly gives a sense of community and a support system for all individuals of Latin American origin and descent. We strive to offer a safe space rooted in kindness and empathy for members to share their unique life experiences and seek collective support.

Latine @ Calendly chose UnidosUS since their support is broad and tackles a variety of topics and needs for the Latine community. In particular, they lobby to help create new laws and get support from our government for civic engagement, civil rights, education, health, and immigration reform. They also spend a lot on housing and financial aid. 

Calendly's Belonging Groups made their donations via TisBest.