By Rayyan Khan, @deca.rayyank | Reedy High School, TX
Every holiday season, people ask how they can give back, but today’s entrepreneurs are proving that generosity is no longer just a December tradition. Around the world, entrepreneurs are integrating purpose into their business strategy and transforming holiday giving into something more sustainable, creative and global. What used to be a once-a-year reminder to help others is becoming a year-round movement powered by innovation.
Holiday Generosity in Action
1. Amazon and Global Holiday Impact at Scale
One company reshaping holiday generosity on a global level is Amazon. With millions of customers shopping during the peak season, Amazon uses its massive reach to support communities, small businesses and sustainability efforts worldwide. Each year, the company launches holiday giving programs that provide essential items to families, expand opportunities for small sellers and reduce the environmental footprint of holiday shopping.
At the same time, Amazon invests in sustainable packaging and climate-focused innovations that help reduce waste during the busiest shopping months of the year. With lighter, recyclable packaging and a focus on more efficient delivery routes, the company demonstrates how a global business can leverage its scale to reduce environmental impact while enhancing community support.
2. NBA Cares and the Dallas Mavericks Season of Giving
Not all examples of holiday generosity are rooted in traditional startups. Some come from organizations that use their influence in entrepreneurial ways. The NBA has long invested in community-driven impact through its NBA Cares initiative, and many teams have adopted their own traditions that align with the spirit of giving.
The Dallas Mavericks are a standout example. Even though Thanksgiving dinner may still be weeks away, the Mavericks never wait to begin their Season of Giving. On November 13, the team hosted its annual Turkey Giveaway, distributing 300 meals to Buckner International families in just over an hour.
3. Technology Making Giving More Accessible
Apps like ShareTheMeal, created by the United Nations World Food Programme, enable donations of small amounts from anywhere in the world. During the holiday season, millions of people use the platform to help combat hunger, demonstrating that global generosity can flourish through simple, user-friendly technology.
The Next Generation of Global Leaders
Young entrepreneurs, including DECA members, are playing a crucial role in this movement. Students are launching projects that donate a percentage of sales, partner with local nonprofits and create products with built-in missions. Across countries, youth-led businesses are showing that giving can be a year-round commitment.
One example comes from Frisco, Texas, where Reedy High School students Rayyan Khan, Rayhan Raja, and Rafan Reyas created Rallying 4 Success, a sales project that helped offset budget cuts by donating proceeds to Reedy DECA.
Entrepreneurship today is about more than products and profits. It is about building a world where generosity is woven into everyday decisions. As more founders blend creativity with compassion, they are redefining what holiday giving looks like and setting a standard for future leaders.
For the next generation, the message is clear: you do not have to wait for the holidays to make an impact. You can build it. You can lead it. And you can inspire it everywhere your ideas take you.
