Designer Brands Will Close Offices for Volunteer Day
Columbus-based staff will trade daily operations for service on October 2, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Philanthropy
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Designer Brands Inc. will close its corporate offices on October 2, 2026, to host its second annual Step Up and Serve day. The event involves 1,200 employees engaging in community service projects ranging from schoolyard cleanups to virtual business mentorship.
Why it matters
The initiative represents a push to operationalize corporate values and strengthen internal cohesion through team-based service projects. This model of organized volunteerism is increasingly used to align workforce culture with brand identity.
The DBI Foundation will distribute $73,400 in grants to participating organizations, with individual awards ranging from $3,000 to $12,000. This follows last year's inaugural program where 1,200 global employees logged more than 1,000 volunteer hours.
The players
Designer Brands Inc.
A major footwear retailer and owner of the DSW chain with 1,200 employees worldwide.
The DBI Foundation
The philanthropic arm of Designer Brands Inc. that manages charitable contributions and grant distribution.
The details
On October 2, 2026, staff in Columbus and other locations will perform service tasks including hygiene kit assembly and student mentoring. Remote employees will utilize the platform SuitUp to participate in virtual business case studies. The DBI Foundation is also supporting the effort by providing $900 in DSW gift cards to the Harlem Link Charter School.
Timeline
October 2, 2026: Designer Brands Inc. closes offices for volunteer day.
October 9, 2026: International offices conduct volunteer work.
Market Landscape
The footwear industry has seen significant charitable activity recently, exemplified by the Two Ten Foundation gala which raised $650,000 with 750 attendees. Designer Brands Inc. is aligning with this trend by transitioning from individual employee efforts to formalized, company-wide service days.
Business owners should assess whether formalized service days improve employee retention and brand alignment enough to offset lost production hours. Review the administrative costs of managing virtual versus in-person service platforms before implementing similar programs.
The takeaway
Organized volunteer programs can serve as a metric for internal culture building when tied to specific corporate values. Monitor employee participation rates during such events to determine the program's ROI in team morale and professional development.
What happens next
International offices in China, Vietnam, and Brazil are scheduled to conduct their respective volunteer projects on October 9, 2026.
Further reading
For additional context on how regional firms manage corporate giving, see Philanthropy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WWD.
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