Corporate Volunteerism Benefits the Company, Community, and Employees

Corporate Volunteerism has emerged as a powerful tool to improve community relations and perception, and to increase employee camaraderie, organizational involvement, and job satisfaction. A 2004 study by LBG Associates investigated the central reasons that corporations participate in volunteer projects and the types of company resources typically involved, as well as important barriers to and components of successful employee volunteer programs. The study involved interviews with the CEOs and managers of 50 major American corporations.

The LBG study showed a high level of corporate commitment to volunteerism. Of CEO's interviewed, 100% expressed a belief that senior management should set an example by being actively involved in volunteering and that companies have a civic responsibility to financially support volunteerism by its employees. To this end, 85% of companies allow employees to volunteer during the work week and an average of $12.16 is spent per employee at the 50 companies surveyed. Nearly all of the CEOs stated that they believed a corporation should retain dedicated volunteer managers or staff.

Managers emphasize the benefits of volunteering to the company, but also several benefits to the employees themselves. Volunteering increases employee pride and worker retention. Volunteer projects also elevate employee leadership and business skills. Managers also cite heightened brand awareness and customer perceptions as major benefits to the bottom line.

Managers involved with organizing employee volunteer programs cited senior management involvement and support, ongoing internal communication, and employee-friendly activities as the major contributors to a successful program. Dedicated staff and resources are also considered important by managers. The study, however, found that employee recognition was the single most highly correlated factor to program success.

Sources:

http://www.worldvolunteerweb.org/resources/research-reports/doc/measuring-corporate-volunteerism.html

http://www.csrwire.com/pdf/LBG_one_sheet.pdf