Why Our Agency Will Always Celebrate Giving Tuesday (and Beyond)

Awegys School, Courtesy of the Mtaala Foundation

A letter from our founder

As a small business owner, it is important to me that our work reflects our shared values as a team, and as individuals. 

I started The James Collective for a few reasons: the most obvious, as a result of a passion I hold for the food, beverage, and travel industries coupled with my years of experience in strategic business, PR + marketing. 

The less obvious reason—but the one that keeps me curious, learning and fulfilled every day—is that I wanted to build a business that not only helped other businesses grow, but that also helped people grow. We apply this purpose both with our team as well as with the organizations that we work with through our charitable giving.

On this Giving Tuesday, our hearts are full to be able to continue to give 1% of our quarterly profits to non-profit organizations doing great work for the future of women, girls, the planet and social justice + equity. While we spread those donations throughout the year and organize additional avenues to raise funds for causes we care about (such as the Bake Sale we did for Planned Parenthood), our principal recipient is the Mtaala Foundation. 

‘Mtaala’ means learning, and this organization is near and dear to my heart. Mtaala Foundation creates educational partnerships and sponsorship programs for girls and at-risk youth in Uganda. The organization, partnered with volunteers in the US and UK, is directed by Ugandans, for Ugandans, to build a brighter future for students, the community, and our global family as a whole. 

On this Giving Tuesday (and every day) we encourage you to look into the Mtaala Foundation, or other organizations that speak to where you would like the world to be headed, and pay it forward. 

In health and giving,

Alison