VML Poised for Employee-Led Day of Community Service
Industry’s largest synchronized corporate impact day unites over 26,000 employees across the globe in giving back to local communities and charitable causes
Good Grows: VML Day of Service Turns Global Action into Local Impact
More than 26,000 VML employees in 55+ markets unite for the advertising industry's largest synchronized corporate impact day, supporting 150+ nonprofits and local communities
- Published Date
- Sep 10, 2026
Today, VML celebrates its 22nd annual VML Worldwide Foundation Day, its flagship global day of service, where employees lend their time, talent and resources to local communities. More than 26,000 employees across 55+ markets will take part in volunteer projects supporting nonprofits and community organizations focused on environmental conservation, food security, education, health and youth development.
VML’s collective effort has demonstrated measurable scale. In 2025, employees contributed more than 9,000 volunteer hours across nearly 300 projects benefiting 150+ nonprofit organizations worldwide. This year, VMLers are once again coming together to turn a single day of service into momentum that extends well beyond.
Formalized in 2005, VML Worldwide Foundation Day builds on a tradition of employee-led volunteer teams at the local level. The annual event connects VMLers around a shared purpose while allowing teams to respond to the needs of the communities where they live and work.
This year's theme, "Good Grows," reflects the idea that acts of service take root, grow and create lasting impact — both for the causes VML supports and for its people. As the industry's largest synchronized charitable corporate impact day, the program underscores the importance of supporting the communities that help sustain businesses.
Every year, I'm inspired by joining more than 26,000 VMLers around the world to step up for the communities we call home. It's a powerful reminder that our impact isn't limited to the work we do for clients — it's in the lives we touch and the causes we champion together.
VML Worldwide Foundation Day is a signature feature of the agency's community outreach program and an expression of the agency’s Human First philosophy. In addition to VML's dedication to Impact & Inclusion, career growth and development, and employee well-being, the VML Foundation is a powerful investment in its employees and the charitable causes they champion.
In North America, the VML Foundation is an employee-funded, employee-led charitable program that has recently surpassed $3.8 million in charitable donations. Employees are invited to support the Foundation financially through personal contributions. Foundation members receive tangible benefits, including the ability to secure charitable grants and participate in a $2-to-$1 matching gift program. The VML Foundation donated a record-breaking $428,000 in employee-directed donations in 2025 and is on track to surpass this amount this year. The VML Foundation also supports pro bono services for nonprofits, year-round volunteer opportunities, employee resource group fundraising, disaster relief efforts and more.
To learn more, please visit vml.com/foundation and follow VML’s Foundation Day activities via #WeAreVML.
One day of service creates momentum that carries through the other 364. It's a reminder that giving back isn't separate from our culture. It's part of how we work together. The best days of service don't end when employees head home; they shape how people lead, collaborate and show up for one another and our communities all year long.
This year, VML employees will donate their time and talents to hundreds of nonprofit and community organizations.
Auckland, New Zealand — Project details are being finalized.
Brisbane, Australia — Project details are being finalized.
China — Employees will recognize delivery workers by distributing practical care packages that support them in their daily work while celebrating the "Good Grows" spirit of giving back.
Hong Kong — Teams will support four nonprofit organizations through meal packing, logistics assistance, Ronald McDonald House housekeeping, and animal care volunteering.
India (Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bangalore & Chennai) — Employees will introduce young people to careers in advertising, mentor creative challenges, and prepare educational materials through WPP India Foundation.
Noida, India — VML Enterprise Solutions will host an AI for Future Skills workshop to help young people build practical AI literacy.
Indonesia — Volunteers will support an animal welfare organization through a "Paws & Care Day" of service.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — Project details are being finalized.
Melbourne, Australia — Volunteers will support the Fight Cancer Foundation through house volunteering, a blood donation drive, and a pro bono marketing challenge.
Perth, Australia (Sept. 25) — Teams will volunteer with Foodbank to sort, pack, and distribute food for community partners.
Philippines — Project details are being finalized.
Singapore — Employees will prepare and deliver meals through Willing Hearts and celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival with beneficiaries through arts and crafts activities.
Sydney, Australia (Sept. 28) — Teams will support Foodbank, participate in a blood donation drive, and provide pro bono marketing support for the Choir of Hard Knocks.
Taiwan — Employees will participate in a community clean-up to create greener, more sustainable neighborhoods.
Thailand — Teams will provide educational supplies to students in underserved communities.
Vietnam (Sept. 25) — Volunteers will provide books and essential supplies to children at an orphanage while supporting a local blood hospital.
Wellington, New Zealand — Volunteers will cultivate community gardens at Innermost Gardens.
Athens, Greece — Teams will build modular sensory gardens for local kindergartens.
Berlin, Germany — Employees will strengthen a youth and cultural center through hands-on improvements and strategic communications support.
Budapest, Hungary (Sept. 25) — Volunteers will complete a rowing-based lake cleanup to support environmental conservation.
Cairo, Egypt (Sept. 23) — Employees will pack school bags and food parcels for children and families in need.
Casablanca, Morocco — Teams will prepare and distribute meals to people experiencing homelessness in partnership with Jood.
Dubai, UAE — Employees will pack and deliver meals through Companies for Good.
Düsseldorf, Germany — Volunteers will renovate and brighten a local kindergarten.
Frankfurt, Germany — Teams will improve outdoor play spaces at a local kindergarten.
Istanbul, Türkiye — Employees will distribute meals to people experiencing homelessness while collecting pet food donations for local animal organizations.
Italy (Milan & Rome) — Volunteers will support at-risk youth and pediatric health, in addition to leading a pro bono project for a local organization benefitting autistic children and their families.
Jordan (Amman) — Volunteers will spend the day with children at Mar Mansour Charitable Society through games, activities, and shared meals.
Lebanon — Teams will partner with SWIM Initiative to restore Lebanon's coastline through a community beach cleanup.
Luxembourg — Employees will spend the day protecting local forests through hands-on conservation work with Fondation Hëllef fir d'Natur.
Munich, Germany — Volunteers will support a community street play event for children.
Paris, France — Project details are being finalized.
Prague, Czechia — Employees will walk, run, or cycle to raise charitable funding through movement.
Saudi Arabia (Week of Sept. 13–17) — Employees will collect clothing and essential items for families across the Kingdom.
South Africa (Cape Town, Durban & Johannesburg) — Offices will support local community organizations focused on children, animal welfare, and food insecurity, with project details continuing to be finalized.
Spain — Volunteers will support a local animal shelter.
United Kingdom — Teams will complete a sponsored charity walk, organize food and gift donations, and participate in additional community service projects.
Argentina — Volunteers will prepare meals for people experiencing homelessness, clean the Río de la Plata shoreline, support children receiving medical care through arts and games, and provide career coaching and mock interviews for nonprofit job seekers.
Brazil — Employees will mentor young people, volunteer with children, host a blood drive, and support LGBTQIA+ community organizations.
Colombia — Teams in Bogotá and Cali will collect pet food donations for local animal rescue organizations.
Costa Rica — Volunteers will build and improve homes, support animal rescue organizations, care for older adults, and assist local schools through multiple community partnerships.
Guatemala — Project details are being finalized.
Mexico — Teams will restore and preserve the Bosque de San Juan de Aragón through cleanup, conservation, and maintenance activities.
Peru — Volunteers will support residents of El Hogar Canevaro, a long-term care home for older adults.
Puerto Rico — Employees will donate blood, support an autism center through facility improvements, and participate in reforestation efforts.
Atlanta, USA — Volunteers will help relaunch a community farm through planting and construction projects.
Austin, USA — Teams will package food at the Central Texas Food Bank.
Chicago, USA — Multiple off-site volunteer activations are planned across the city, supporting organizations such as Digs With Dignity, Friends of the Chicago River, Metropolitan Family Services and more, in addition to an in-office food recovery effort.
Cincinnati, USA — Employees will beautify neighborhoods, assemble food boxes, and support Habitat for Humanity homebuilding projects.
Cleveland, USA — Volunteers will restore natural habitats, organize foster care donations, and support community organizations serving children and families.
Detroit, USA — Teams will support more than a dozen nonprofit partners focused on hunger relief, youth development, healthcare, animal welfare, housing, and neighborhood revitalization.
Kansas City, USA — Employees will participate in more than 20 volunteer projects across the metro supporting food security, housing, education, environmental conservation, animal welfare, and community development.
Miami, USA — Volunteers will distribute food, support urban gardens, and serve women and children experiencing homelessness.
Montreal, Canada — Teams will support food security, organizations serving women and people living with ALS, and assemble care kits for Indigenous women.
Nashville, USA — Volunteers will complete improvement projects at Cowboy Ranch Rescue.
New York, USA — VMLers will support 18 organizations across New York and New Jersey, making an impact in areas including sustainability, animal welfare, family services, food insecurity, and LGBTQ+ support.
Portland, USA — Employees will participate in a citywide community cleanup.
Rogers, Arkansas, USA — Teams will support children's services, food security initiatives, farms, and animal welfare organizations.
Seattle, USA — Volunteers will restore community gardens and critical salmon habitat through environmental stewardship projects.
Southern California, USA — Employees across Los Angeles, Costa Mesa and San Diego will support youth programming and community beautification projects.
Stamford, USA — Employees will stock the pediatric toy closet at Stamford Hospital.
Toronto, Canada — Volunteers will support Indigenous organizations, assemble care kits, and organize donations through local community partners.
Vancouver, Canada — Teams will prepare meals for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Washington, DC, USA — Employees will volunteer with Special Olympics athletes through youth tennis, golf, and mentorship activities.
