Reimagine Your Volunteerism Program to Drive Community Engagement

Volunteerism

Inspiring employees to volunteer is more challenging than ever.

• Corporate volunteering is down:
  • Pre-pandemic: 31%
  • Post-pandemic: 24%
• Biggest obstacles:
  • Hybrid/work from home: 39%
  • Shouldn't have to: 18%
  • No interest in offerings: 15
  • Weren't asked: 13%

But the benefits of volunteer programs are clear.

• ATTRACT TOP TALENT
• 77% of employers say it attracts millennials and Gen Z
• Top motivators for Gen Z: "Aligns with my values", "Convenient to get to", "Ease of doing during workday"
• IMPROVE EMPLOYEE RETENTION
• 71% of employees say it's important for company's culture
• 82% feel "more committed to their company"
• GOOD FOR BUSINESS
• Companies with engaged employees are 22% more profitable
• STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY TIES
• Consumers appreciate businesses that prioritize community relationships
• BOOST EMPLOYEE WELL-BEING
• Volunteering can improve physical and mental health, reducing stress and general illness
• EARN CRA CREDIT
• Banks' community service projects can fulfill Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) requirements 

Reignite your corporate volunteering program.

DEFINE YOUR OBJECTIVES

• Create Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Timely (SMART) goals and align with CRA strategies.

UNDERSTAND EMPLOYEES' INTERESTS

• Gather employee input from surveys and Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) on causes they care about.

CREATE OR INVEST IN A VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT TOOL

• Utilize a platform that includes scheduling, a volunteer database, numbers of volunteers, and hours logged.

PROVIDE A MENU OF OPTIONS

• Avoid a one-size-fits-all approach. Meet your employees where they are with a range of opportunities, including virtual, in-person, and "on their own time" activities.

INCENTIVIZE AND RECOGNIZE EMPLOYEES

• Motivate employees with rewards like volunteer time off, employee gift matching programs, volunteer service grants, badges, and certificates.

MAKE IT FUN

• Create experiences that are meaningful and fun, such as including lunch or a networking happy hour at the end of an activity.

MEASURE IMPACT AND COMMUNICATE RESULTS

• Establish clear and ongoing communication to employees on the impact you are making together.

5 Effective mission-driven volunteer experiences for employees:

1. STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
• Ongoing partnerships with a local organization give a sense of continuity and investment in the community, such as an “adopt a school” program or quarterly events at a local food bank.
2. DAYS OF SERVICE
• Company-wide “days of service” demonstrate the company’s commitment to community. Consider sponsoring a housing build project, veterans resource fair, beach beautification, community block party, or Scholastic book fair.
3. SKILLS-BASED VOLUNTEERING
• Employees utilize or grow professional skills to support nonprofits, such as teaching personal finance to youths at a local Junior Achievement Finance Park, becoming a volunteer tax preparer, or providing financial counseling to a domestic violence survivor.
4. HANDS-ON VOLUNTEERING
• Connecting employees with direct or indirect service opportunities can benefit the community, such as packing and delivering meals to neighbors.
5. VIRTUAL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
• Employees support nonprofit organizations from home by preparing care packages, participating in letter writing campaigns, or providing mentoring virtually. 

When done right, employee volunteerism

ENHANCES EMPLOYEE CULTURE + BUILDS STRONG COMMUNITY IMPACT

Sources:

• Junior Achievement USA
• America's Charities
• Percent Pledge
• Gallup
• Business Case for Corporate Volunteerism
• Mayo Clinic Health System

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