Giving Back

Avionté’s mission is to enrich lives by helping our clients better connect people with meaningful work. That commitment to uplift those around us carries into the Avionté Hope Foundation (AHF), which encourages volunteerism and helps strengthen and transform the communities we serve.

Avionté Hope Foundation

Making a difference has always been central to Avionté’s ethos. We recognize that empowering individuals through employment also means supporting the broader well-being of their communities. In 2012, we launched the Avionté Hope Foundation (AHF) to put that belief into action — supporting individuals, strengthening communities, and giving employees meaningful ways to contribute.

Over the past 13 years, Avionté has donated nearly $500,000 to more than 200 organizations, and our employees have volunteered over 5,750 hours in service to their communities.

Feed my starving children2 1
Image (11)-1
Coin War
Down Syndrome Socks
Clare, Cass and Suzie Blankets
Chris Mary Pierce AHF photo
VOLUNTEER INITIATIVES

Compassion in Action

AHF creates meaningful opportunities for employees to give back through hands-on charitable initiatives. Avionté employees have rolled up their sleeves and made an impact in countless ways: donating blood, joining Movember to raise awareness, crafting blankets for those in need, braving the Polar Plunge, and collecting toys for local charities, demonstrating their commitment to strengthening the communities around them.

These events promote team unity, encourage direct, hands-on giving, and create a culture of compassion.

INDIVIDUAL OUTREACH

Hope Days

Avionté believes that empowering employees to support the causes they care about most makes our communities stronger. In this spirit, we created our Hope Days initiative to give every team member dedicated time to volunteer and deepen our culture of community involvement.

Hope Days provides every employee with 24 hours of paid volunteer time each year. Team members can join company-sponsored events or volunteer on their own with organizations that matter to them. This flexibility allows people to make an impact in ways that reflect their personal values — and it ensures remote employees can contribute meaningfully within their own communities.

 

Cleaning up Yards
Second Harvest Heartland
002301a7b9d6c614e23e3bb61c5d6ec3
AHF Photos
3-Nov-11-2025-06-22-48-7788-PM
Habitat for Humanity Gala group photo
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Community Support

Avionté donates to a wide range of causes, supporting medical research, youth mentorship, community health, animal welfare, and efforts to combat food insecurity. Alongside our ongoing charitable partnerships, AHF also sets aside funds for urgent needs that arise. This ensures we can respond quickly when client employees or their communities are affected by natural disasters or other unforeseen events.

 

INTERVIEW

Leading With Purpose

Melissa Blackstad leads the Avionté Hope Foundation, coordinating volunteer efforts, planning group service events, delivering donations, and fulfilling 501(c)(3) wish lists.

Hear from Melissa about getting started with AHF, why volunteering is such a vital part of Avionté’s culture, and her proudest AHF moment.

Image (5)-2
TESTIMONIAL
We are deeply grateful for Avionte this holiday season. They have been among our most valuable partners for the past decade, sharing our belief that young people deserve the opportunity to thrive. They continue to support us as we work to break cycles of injustice and ensure that youth, who have often experienced deep trauma, can define their own hopeful future.
 
What makes our relationship with Avionte so exceptional is the breadth of their engagement. Their commitment is far-reaching, including critical support for our Housing Program and reliable financial contributions through major event Sponsorships. Beyond funding, their team demonstrates genuine personal involvement through their participation in our Adopt-a-Family program, generous Silent Auction donations, and vital in-kind donations that ensure our operational needs are met. This comprehensive, year-round investment touches every corner of our organization, creating the positive impact we can achieve together.
Canva Design DAG6O3WxjbQ

Jelena Song Community and Corporate Giving Manager, The Link

 2025 Organizations Supported

In 2025, Avionté proudly supported these charitable organizations, reflecting our commitment to uplifting communities in Minnesota and beyond. 

Canva Design DAG6Ow3iY8Q
The Michael Trella Foundation (I Love You More)           
Canva Design DAG6O3WxjbQ
The Link
Canva Design DAG6OyyjCUQ
Greater Twin Cities Metro United Way
Canva Design DAG6O0PO8m8
Note in the Pocket
Canva Design DAG6Oy30_J8
Special Olympics Minnesota
Canva Design DAG6Owqbhpw
Mayo Clinic
Canva Design DAG6O-pCf0g
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
Canva Design DAG6OwuYL7A
University of St. Thomas Minnesota
Canva Design DAG6O1vr4zM
Eau Claire Community Humane Association
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation
Canva Design DAG6TK4INpo
Alexandra House
Canva Design DAG6TBxgUz8
Flippen Foundation
Canva Design DAG6TGvjFsI
Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association
Canva Design DAG6TGmgGtg
Brady Swenson Tournament
INTERVIEW

Listen to John Long Reflect on 20 Years of Avionté

 

 Watch the Interview →

John Long Interview 20 Year