They had the cause, we brought the effect: Raymond James Cares Month

Together, we make a difference

Annually in May, Raymond James associates and advisors around the world team up and give back to the communities where we live and work. In 2024, more than 3,300 volunteers came together to serve over 8,300 hours toward the causes most near and dear to us.

Our collective impact*

• 3,371 volunteers
• 8,315 hours
• 269 charitable organizations
• 120 communities
• 88,650 meals served and packed
• 10,514 pounds of food donated
• 12,216 in-kind items donated
• $544,256 in monetary donations
• 898 pounds of trash cleaned up

Our roots run deep in volunteerism, and giving back to our communities is a key facet of the firm’s culture. This value is demonstrated by associates year-round, and especially each May. 

With nearly 270 charitable organizations supported across 120 communities in 2024, our impact was seen far and wide. Here’s a deeper look at a few of the causes our associates supported, and the resulting effects.

Promoting self-sufficiency with Metropolitan Ministries

More than 30 associates and friends across the Human Resources department came together for a day of service at Metropolitan Ministries, a Tampa-based organization committed to caring for the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless. Metropolitan Ministries serves people in need of a variety of resources, including food, clothing, financial assistance, housing and more. Volunteers spent three-hour shifts serving in one of five roles:

• Outreach: Helping families choose food and clothing items
• Clothing Warehouse/Thrift Store: Accepting and sorting clothing donations 
• Kitchen: Prepping, cooking and serving food to residents and community partners
• Environmental: Keeping the grounds clean and beautiful 
• PromiseLand: Assisting preschool teachers

"Being part of an organization that lives out its values and commitment to serving our communities is truly inspiring,” said SVP, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Pedro Suriel. “Our HR team’s dedication exemplifies the impact we can make when we come together. As a board member, I’m proud to be part of this incredible team.” 

All told, HR volunteers served nearly 100 hours over the course of one day, supporting Metropolitan Ministries’ mission to alleviate suffering, promote dignity and ultimately instill self-sufficiency for the families and individuals they serve.

Fighting hunger with Second Helpings

For the fifth time, volunteers from the Greenwood, Indiana branch supported Second Helpings, an Indianapolis-based hunger relief agency. Second Helpings rescues food that would otherwise be thrown away, prepares it, delivers it to local nonprofits and trains people for careers in the culinary industry. 

Greenwood volunteers helped out as prep chefs for the day. They collectively cut and prepared approximately 100 lbs. of vegetables for the Second Helpings Chefs.
“Second Helpings is a favorite for our branch,” said Sr. Client Service Associate Fran Carman. “Year after year, we continue to be amazed at the impact they have in and around the Indianapolis area.”

Since its inception, Second Helpings has rescued and distributed more than 43 million pounds of food. That rescued food is used to create more than 5,000 nutritious meals each day.

Empowering veterans with Alpha Omega

Associates in Memphis, Tennessee supported Alpha Omega, an organization dedicated to empowering veterans who are displaced or experiencing homelessness. Alpha Omega aims to equip these veterans with the tools they need for successful reintegration into society.

On May 4, VFW’s National Day of Service, a group of 15 associates and friends toured the Alpha Omega’s facilities and spent the afternoon gardening. The organization’s two urban farms provide fresh food for the veterans housed there, and the program also utilizes therapeutic gardening opportunities, which are beneficial for veterans suffering from PTSD.

“On the farm, you’ll find bees, chickens, a large garden, a greenhouse and a hydroponic garden inside a shipping container,” said Sr. Analyst, Risk Management Amanda Jones. “It’s all very impressive!”

Since it was established in 1987, Alpha Omega has served nearly 10,000 veterans. Today, the organization has the capacity to house over 120 veterans while providing counseling and other vital services.

“We owe our veterans so much for their service and this is a very worthwhile cause,” said Amanda.

Helping youth achieve their full potential with Angel Reach

After supporting Meals on Wheels during Raymond James Cares Month in 2023 and witnessing many heartbreaking struggles with hunger among the elderly, financial advisors and associates at Woodforest Wealth decided to support an additional organization this year – one that helps to end the cycle of poverty.  

Angel Reach is an organization in Conroe, Texas that helps young people achieve their full potential despite the obstacles they face. They primarily serve teens and young adults who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. On May 8, a group of 16 volunteers from Woodforest Wealth teamed up to help create a memorable graduation experience for the organization’s youth who had recently completed high school, college or a GED program. 

Volunteers served a collective 40 hours in support of the graduation experience. 

“We created decorations, organized caps and gowns and put together gift bags for the graduates, but the most rewarding aspect of the experience was creating cards filled with encouraging messages and words of advice,” said Woodforest Wealth SVP and Marketing Manager Patti Seefeldt. “The resilience and determination of the Angel Reach clients and staff are truly inspiring, and we can’t wait to see the amazing things the graduates will accomplish.”

Worthy cause, compelling effect

From San Francisco to Tampa to Toronto to London, our associates brought the effect during this year’s Raymond James Cares Month. Together, we make a difference to build, strengthen and grow our communities.

To learn more about the firm’s corporate philanthropy, click here. To see how associates give back all year long, follow Raymond James on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.

*Metrics are self-reported by associates

Sources: metromin.org, alphaomegaveterans.org, angelreach.org, secondhelpings.org