Strategic Wealth Designers Empowers Communities Through Operation Gifts of Goodness
Visit one of the many offices of Strategic Wealth Designers (SWD) during the Christmas season, and you’ll find employees actively engaged in the firm’s annual Operation Gifts of Goodness initiative. This program, part of the broader SWD Cares charitable effort, unites employees in giving back to their communities during the holiday season. As a leading financial planning firm, SWD leverages its local presence to foster goodwill and support families and organizations in need.
Founded three years ago by Matthew Dicken, Founder and CEO of Strategic Wealth Designers, Operation Gifts of Goodness was created to provide direct assistance to those struggling in the communities SWD serves. “Gifts of Goodness allocates a budget to each office to adopt families, support a specific organization, or make a donation to provide support during the holidays to those in need,” Dicken explains. “It provides an opportunity for our employees to come together, shop for families and organizations, and, in many cases, volunteer. We’ve supported dozens of organizations through the operation and have been able to provide the gift of Christmas to so many across our footprint.”
Operation Gifts of Goodness is only one of many initiatives under SWD Cares, a program designed to transform local offices into community hubs that create lasting, positive change.
SWD Cares: Commitment to Sustainable Community Impact
Matthew Dicken established SWD Cares to formalize the charitable work he and his team had been involved with for years. His vision was to create a sustained effort that truly made a difference in the communities where SWD provides financial planning services.
Initially, SWD Cares organized quarterly events across the 19 cities spanning 11 states where the firm operates. However, Dicken challenged his team to think beyond short-term relief, aiming to reduce the number of people in need permanently. This shift led to impactful programs such as supporting schools in high-risk areas by funding technology like iPads and creating incentive programs to improve student attendance and behavior.
Four Core Pillars Guide SWD’s Charitable Focus
SWD Cares concentrates its efforts on four main areas: children, animals, veterans, and the medical field. By focusing on these pillars, the program ensures targeted and meaningful support. Additionally, SWD Cares actively seeks partnerships with other organizations, especially those important to clients and employees, further reinforcing its community ties.
Local Engagement: Supporting the Communities Employees Call Home
While some SWD Cares initiatives have a broader reach, the primary focus remains local. Dicken emphasizes investing in the cities where SWD’s employees live and work, ensuring that those who contribute see the tangible benefits of their efforts firsthand.
Moreover, SWD clients are encouraged to participate, expanding the program’s reach and volunteer base. “Marketing opportunities to our clients not only gets more volunteers out in our communities, but also brings additional awareness to the organizations we’re supporting,” Dicken notes.
Hands-On Involvement Enhances Charitable Impact
Financial donations are only part of SWD Cares’ approach. The program also prioritizes hands-on involvement to deepen connections with the causes it supports. For example, when donating to Ronald McDonald House, SWD sends teams to cook meals and spend time with families staying at the facility.
Another standout project involves Wish For Wheels, a nonprofit providing bicycles to second graders at Title I schools. SWD employees not only fund the purchase of materials but also assemble the bikes and teach children how to ride, creating lasting memories and direct community impact.
Dicken envisions SWD Cares inspiring other companies to adopt similar programs, expanding the network of community hubs focused on sustained positive change. “When a company is successful, I believe it has a responsibility to give back to the communities that have given it so much support,” he says. “We are striving to set a good corporate example that other companies can emulate and follow, showing that, regardless of your size, you can still make a meaningful impact in your community.”
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