For the third consecutive year, association and event marketing agency mdg encouraged employees to participate in Small Business Saturday by reimbursing a portion of what they spent at local merchants. New for 2016, mdg recognized Giving Tuesday by matching a percentage of the total agency spend with an $1100 donation to charities dedicated to empowering young women, protecting individual liberties and funding cancer research.

“As an independently owned agency, we have a unique understanding of the potential for small businesses to make a difference in their communities and boost the local economy,” says Kimberly Hardcastle-Geddes, mdg president. “We realize that we’re part of a vibrant national ecosystem, too, and have encouraged employees to patronize the types of businesses represented by many of our clients – from restaurants to pet boutiques to local hardware stores.”

According to American Express, small businesses create half the jobs in the private sector and last year more than 95 million consumers supported Small Business Saturday, spending an estimated $16.2 billion. The United States Senate officially recognized the day in 2011, unanimously passing a resolution in support of Small Business Saturday.

Continued participation in Small Business Saturday is part of a larger philanthropic program being undertaken by mdg. The agency recently announced a plan for quarterly charitable initiatives to be led by mdg leadership and each of its three offices in California, Virginia and Washington, D.C. Colleagues are empowered to band together to choose a charity and plan and participate in a meaningful way to give back. mdg will provide resources—time and funding—to help set and meet goals.

“We have a diverse, big-hearted group of employees who care deeply about their communities and clients,” says Vincent Polito, mdg principal. “There’s no better time to come together for causes we all support.”