11 Stocks That Will Get You Into the Holiday Spirit

In the spirit of giving back, some publicly traded companies are being extra generous for the holidays. Everyone likes to feel good about their investments, and if a stock gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling, it might just increase your likelihood to invest in the brand.

Data compiled by the international Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy shows that companies most deeply invested in society from 2012 to 2014 were also the ones that saw the most robust financial performance.

The trend is emerging among companies to get involved with charitable giving, says Ty Walrod, CEO of Bright Funds, a technology company that enables companies such as BOX (ticker: BOX), GoDaddy (GDDY), Morningstar (MORN) and Shutterstock (SSTK) to get involved. "CEOs within these companies are realizing the importance of creating a sense of community within the company and empowering their employees to come together and make an impact," Walrod says.

They are focused on empowering employees to give back in a way that matters. Workplaces are coming together for global and local causes, and there's growing evidence of links among the main causes of global poverty, education and the environment, Walrod says.

That may be the key to attracting investors who tend to vote with their dollars. "More than ever, we see that donors, especially millennials, align with a cause," Walrod says.

Here are 11 publicly traded companies that are doing their part:

Wal-Mart Stores (WMT). The discount retailer is running a social media fundraising campaign through Dec. 22 to give to the Fisher House Foundation, which provides accommodations to family members of hospitalized military members and veterans. To participate in the fundraiser, sing a portion of a classic holiday song while capturing it on video, and then post the video on social media channels with the hashtag #Sing2Salute. Wal-Mart will donate $100 for each post up to $1 million and is starting the fundraiser with an additional $500,000. It also has plans to hire 250,000 veterans by 2020 and has committed $20 million in grants to organizations that provide veteran job training, education and community-based collaboration. WMT stock is down 29 percent in so far in 2015.

Salesforce.com (CRM). The cloud computing company is partnering with Ustyme, Reading is Fundamental, First 5 California and Teachers Channel to launch BillioneBookGift.org to make 50 free e-books in English and Spanish available to any computerized device. Salesforce also gives 1 percent of equity, product and employee time back to communities throughout the world, paying its employees to volunteer six days per year. The company has donated $100 million in grants, and employees have volunteered 1.1 million hours. CRM stock is up more than 36 percent for the year.

Xactly Corp. (XTLY). The Silicon Valley technology company gives its employees paid days off to volunteer in their communities. "Xactly's CEO Chris Cabrera understands that employees these days are looking for more purpose at their jobs and want to be part of something greater than just earning a paycheck," says account supervisor Chris Navalta. The company also donates toys and works with a bicycle company to build and donate bicycles to underserved children. XTLY stock is up 4.4 percent since the company's initial public offering in June.

Mattel (MAT). The toy company is donating thousands of toys through hospital programs for parents who cannot leave the hospital. Donations are also made through Ronald McDonald House, after-school programs and organizations that help the most needy. Mattel donates 2 percent of its pretax profit to philanthropic activities that support kids in need. In another program through its American Girl brand, Mattel is matching donations up to $50,000 of bake sale fundraising through Dec. 31 for No Kid Hungry, a national nonprofit organization. Another program, For Goodness, Bake! has raised more than $450,000 -- the equivalent of 4.5 million meals for hungry kids. It partners with Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation to encourage young people "to create a kinder and braver world" through inclusion and acceptance via events, content, products and social media. MAT stock is down 17 percent so far in 2015.

Maytag. The appliance company, a subsidiary of Whirlpool Corp. (WHR), pledged $25,000 to the Movember Foundation, which encourages men and women to be active for 30 days. The connection? "Known for enduring 'physical activity' as a dependable refrigerator, oven, dishwasher or laundry machine, the Maytag Man knows the importance of staying active," according to an emailed statement from the company. So far this year, WHR stock is down nearly 19 percent.

PayPal Holdings (PYPL). The online payments company is adding 1 percent to all donations made through its PayPal Giving Fund during December, and not applying fees when people donate so that 100 percent of the donation [plus the 1 percent match] goes directly to the charity of choice. PYPL stock is down 4.4 percent since it was spun off from online marketplace eBay (EBAY) in July.

Level 3 Communications (LVLT). Every year, Level 3 works with the Denver Children's Home to grant the wishes of up to 1,000 children. In 2012, Level 3 launched Holiday Mail for Heroes, sending more than 25,000 personal holiday cards and notes to soldiers serving overseas. It now creates candy cane reindeer and cards for veterans in nursing homes, care facilities and other senior citizen centers. LVLT stock is up 4 percent so far in 2015.

Sprouts Farmers Market (SFM). The health food retailer is discounting prepacked food donation bags by 10 percent until Dec. 31. The bags, valued at about $10, include food such as canned tuna, soups, fruit, vegetables, beans, rice, cereal and nonperishable snacks. Sprouts transfers the donated bags to local food banks. Last year, Sprouts shoppers donated more than 176,000 bags of food and provided more than 1.1 million meals to local communities. SFM stock is down nearly 25 percent for the year.

RetailMeNot (SALE). The online coupon provider makes a donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America [up to $20,000 total] every time an act of kindness or charity is shared on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using #SaveItForward and @RetailMeNot. It also gave $100 to each employee to support a public schoolteacher and class through Donorschoose.org. SALE stock has fallen 32 percent in 2015.

Aaron's (AAN). The furniture, appliance and electronics retailer will surprise 11 veterans and their families with a makeover of new furniture, appliances and accessories for their homes. To identify the families, Aaron's is working through nonprofits and government agencies including Fisher House Foundation, United Military Care and the Tennessee National Guard, and the surprise delivery will be made via Aaron's Community Outreach Program, a store-based giving program established in 1999. Active military and veterans will also receive 10 percent off all payments on their new lease agreement. AAN stock is down 22.9 percent in 2015.

Bank of America Corp. (BAC). The banking giant is partnering with Feeding America to sponsor Give A Meal to support the Feeding America nationwide network of food banks. For each $1 donated, the bank gives $2 more, up to a total of $1.5 million. Each dollar provides 11 meals to those facing hunger. BAC stock is down 1.7 percent so far in 2015.

Christine Giordano is a freelance business journalist with a passion to help consumers make educated decisions. Also a columnist for Newsday, you can follow her on Twitter @chrisgiordano.