When employees come together around a shared purpose, impact takes on a different meaning. At KPMG’s Community Impact Day—a nationwide day of service that brings employees together across offices to support local nonprofits—this collective energy comes to life in real and tangible ways.
Stepping outside the day-to-day creates space to connect more deeply with communities, colleagues, and with the values that drive the work. On this day, thousands of KPMG professionals volunteer side-by-side, contributing their time, skills, and passion to causes ranging from education and literacy to community well-being.
These moments offer a powerful reminder that purpose is experienced through action, collaboration, and the willingness to show up in new ways. Community Impact Day reflects what’s possible when people unite around a shared commitment to make a lasting, positive difference where they live and work.
To capture that experience from multiple perspectives, we asked three questions to four KPMG professionals across different regions of the country, inviting them to reflect on what the day means to them.
- What did you do that day, and was there a moment—big or small—that stuck with you?
Jennifer Petersen, Business Unit Partner-in-Charge, Tax, KPMG US (San Francisco, CA)
- I worked with colleagues to make chew toys for dogs, while watching other colleagues fold and transport mountains of laundry (pet bedding, blankets, towels, etc.). I love that so many of our volunteers keep coming back to SF SPCA year after year. It is also amazing to welcome new volunteers. I love seeing the joy on everyone’s faces as they interact with the animals.
Cristina Mendoza, Federal Marketing, KPMG US (Washington D.C.)
- We put together “treasure boxes” for children staying at The Children’s Inn at NIH while they undergo treatment. Knowing that something as simple as opening a goody bag could brighten a child’s day really stuck with me. It was especially meaningful because my fiancé’s cousin’s family has stayed there for years, so getting to see the Inn in person made the experience personal and impactful.
Alexa Brown, Field Marketing Associate, KPMG US (Tysons Corner, VA)
- I volunteered with The Fishing School, organizing STEM resources for students in Washington, D.C. and cataloging inventory for their storage units in preparation for upcoming programs. Seeing firsthand the kinds of projects the kids will be working on, such as programming robots to learn about computer science, was inspiring. Hearing the executive director share about the organization’s founding and explain how our efforts directly benefit the children highlighted the impact of our contributions and made the day feel truly rewarding.
Claire Anderson, Director, Audit Growth, KPMG US (Atlanta, GA)
- I worked with KPMG volunteers in our Atlanta office to pack drawstring backpacks with various “summer fun” items, like sidewalk chalk and sunglasses, along with KFFL literacy resources and handwritten letters from our volunteers for the elementary students of a local Title I school. After packing, a small group of us proceeded to pack up and hand-deliver the goods to the school. The moment that stuck with me was the privilege of seeing the students’ reactions as they began to open their new bags: wide-eyed and grinning, each student was joyfully shouting out each item as they unpacked it—which in turn had me wide-eyed and grinning too!
- Volunteering with coworkers is different from doing your regular job together. How did the day change how you see a colleague, your team, or even yourself?
Jennifer Petersen, Business Unit Partner-in-Charge, Tax, KPMG US (San Francisco, CA)
- It was so fun to talk with my colleagues about their dogs and cats and the impact they have on their well-being—I learned so much about everyone. There is something about being out of the office, doing something that feels great and aligned with your passion that really opens people up in a different way.
Cristina Mendoza, Federal Marketing, KPMG US (Washington D.C.)
- The day really brought our team’s values to life in a way that everyday work doesn’t always allow. Seeing nearly 50 colleagues take time out of their busy schedules to show up and give back was incredibly meaningful and reinforced how much we collectively care about making a difference. It also shifted how I view our team—not just as coworkers, but as a group of people genuinely committed to supporting others. It left me feeling proud to be part of a team that prioritizes impact beyond our day-to-day responsibilities.
Alexa Brown, Field Marketing Associate, KPMG US (Tysons Corner, VA)
- Experiencing a day of volunteering alongside coworkers offers a fresh perspective on who they are beyond the workplace and usual office routine. You gain insight into their interests and personalities that might not surface during typical office interactions. I think that collaborating on a shared cause fosters a unique bond, strengthening your connection and building camaraderie that extends beyond professional responsibilities.
Claire Anderson, Director, Audit Growth, KPMG US (Atlanta, GA)
- When it comes to who my colleagues are as professionals, I have so much respect and admiration for them, and I get to experience that on a near daily basis. So what makes volunteering together special is the focused opportunity it provides to see my colleagues through a different lens: who they are as people. In conducting our bag packing activity and delivery, I observed patience, kindness, and genuine care for the process and quality of our output. Our shared sense of purpose—of contributing to something bigger than ourselves—was really palpable that day, and it’s a feeling I’ve been able to carry into my day-to-day since.
- If you could tell someone who’s never volunteered before one thing about why it’s worth showing up, what would you say?
Jennifer Petersen, Business Unit Partner-in-Charge, Tax, KPMG US (San Francisco, CA)
- You can really see the power of doing something relatively simple as a large team. With so many hands, we were able to do a lot in a short time. Organizations like SF SPCA do so much great work and have a very hardworking staff with a critical mission. It feels amazing to work together to allow their team to spend more time caring for the animals.
Cristina Mendoza, Federal Marketing, KPMG US (Washington D.C.)
- I’d say there’s nothing more fulfilling and heartwarming than helping others, and it doesn’t take a grand gesture to make a real difference. Even small acts—like preparing a simple gift—can have a meaningful impact on someone going through a difficult time. Volunteering gives you the opportunity to show up, connect, and leave something positive behind, which is incredibly rewarding.
Alexa Brown, Field Marketing Associate, KPMG US (Tysons Corner, VA)
- I would share that helping others and giving back to your community offers a unique sense of fulfillment. When you volunteer, worries fade and you gain a renewed appreciation for life’s simple joys. Acts of kindness brighten someone else’s day and bring gratitude to your own. The connections you make remind you we’re all part of something bigger. Volunteering inspires and motivates you to continue making a difference, uplifting both yourself and those around you.
Claire Anderson, Director, Audit Growth, KPMG US (Atlanta, GA)
- On the surface, the idea of volunteering, especially during the workday, may seem like it’s something that takes away from us—primarily, the time we “should” be spending doing something that’s required, such as our client work. But based on my experience, I can almost guarantee that what you will gain far outweighs what you will give. It’s an opportunity to step outside yourself, connect with others in a much more meaningful way, and come back to your day job with a renewed sense of purpose, perspective, and appreciation for the greater good we’re capable of creating in the world.
These experiences underscore an important truth for companies today: volunteering isn’t just about community impact. It strengthens employee engagement, connection, and purpose. As shared in CECP’s Giving in Numbers®: 2025 Edition, companies reported an average volunteer participation rate of 25%, with smaller companies seeing even higher engagement. These stories show why when employees come together to make a difference, they build stronger relationships, gain fresh perspectives, and return to work with a deeper sense of purpose and collective impact.
