The Byproduct of Employee Giving Programs If you’ve spent any time reading our work or exploring our website, you know some of the amazing benefits of enacting a well-suited corporate social responsibility program within an organization. Every year more and more research supports our platform too. For example…
- 79% of consumers look at a company’s corporate social responsibility when deciding where to seek employment.
- 90% of global consumers are likely to switch brands to one associated with a good cause, given comparable price and quality, but 71% would pay more for socially responsible goods and services.
- 70% of employees would be more loyal to a company that helps them contribute to important issues.
- 55% of employees would choose to work for a social responsible company, even if the salary was less
Read more on how corporate philanthropy is the ultimate strategy for employee retention.
These wonderful effects of employee giving and corporate volunteering programs are byproducts of being a more socially aware company. Employees like knowing their organization not only cares about them, but cares for their causes as well. Consumers are just as interested in choosing to support a company with ethical products or similar values. Remember, though, those shoppers and clients hold more than revenue power; often consumers become brand advocates and even applicants.
The Real Reason Employee Giving Programs Work Corporate giving programs are great for business and human capital management, but why? Why does participation in the community translate into more loyal and engaged employees and consumers? Heart. It’s no longer about tax breaks, it’s about meaningful connections in a tumultuous world. In 2015, American giving increased 4.1% from the previous year while corporate giving increased 3.9%. No matter the industry or whether you provide a product or service, at our core people are interested in caring for one another.
- 76% of people who volunteered in the last 12 months said it made them feel healthier
- 81% of employees who volunteered with their coworkers said it strengthened their relationships
- 74% of employees say their job is more fulfilling when they are provided with opportunities to make a positive impact on social and environmental issues
- 78% of employees want to play an active part in helping their company improve its responsible business practices with feedback, ideas and solutions
Read more on the root of employee engagement and values-based programs.
Get the Ball Rolling in Your Organization The majority of charitable giving is from individual contributors, which means employees are probably participating in some form of giving even if their employer doesn’t have corporate philanthropy. If their organization were to enact such a program, the movement would be welcomed by many with great participation rates. Of course, it’s not that simple, so start slowly.
“Look at your community to see what’s important. Are the schools struggling? Does the animal shelter need donations?” - Lindsay Lavine (@lindsaylavine), Fast Company Contributor
Sometimes the perfect next step lies right within the people who come to your offices every day. Get the ball rolling by really looking at your organization’s core values and culture and seeing how those align with the community around you. As Lavine suggests, the best way to appeal to a broader audience (and drive participation and impact) is by finding those unique connections. Incorporating options that allow employees to choose their own charity with volunteering hours and gift matching helps continue to build those connections.
Is your giving program participation rate low? Here’s why…
Providing your employees experiences that will aid their development and happiness is great and seeing amazing revenue boosts is always welcome, but giving back to your community is worth so much more than how it helps your business. Employee giving programs and corporate social responsibility makes your company more human and shows the heart of your people at its best.
About Liz Bardetti:
Seasoned advertising and marketing professional with 15+ years experience, including work for Gatorade, McDonald’s, Welch’s and most recently, CyberGrants. CyberGrants is the preferred CSR software provider to the best philanthropic corporations around the globe. Our clients represent 40% of the Fortune 100 and nearly one-third of all corporate giving. In the last twelve months alone, CyberGrants helped 250 customers give $5.8 billion plus more than 50 million volunteer hours to over 400,000 non-profit organizations.
