If your business doesn’t prioritise volunteering for a good cause, here’s why you should. Giving back does more than make a difference in your community. Participating in charitable activities can have a positive impact on your staff, your customers and your bottom line.
Customers want to support companies that demonstrate a commitment to more than earning a profit. A 2010 study by Cone Marketing showed that 85 per cent of customers respond positively to companies that give to a charity they care about.
Moreover, collaborating on charitable activities encourages team building among your staff, which can improve morale and even increase productivity.
Including volunteer days in your company’s benefit package can also attract top talent and encourage staff loyalty. A 2015 study revealed that 62 percent of millennials would take a pay cut to work for a company that demonstrates a commitment to social responsibility.
Convinced giving back matters? Here are a few easy ways to become a more socially conscious company.
Implement staff volunteer days
Allowing your staff time to volunteer in the community once or twice a year is a win-win for everyone involved. Providing a sense of community and making a meaningful difference to a charitable organisation, while raising your company profile and earning staff appreciation.
Host or volunteer at a community event
Schools, hospitals, libraries, community centers and children’s clubs can always use extra financial support. Choose which community organization you’d most like to support, keeping your company’s core values in mind. Then start a campaign to raise funds for your cause. You could start an annual event, such as a carwash or fun fair, with the support of staff and neighbouring businesses.
Sponsor a donor matching program
Pledge to match donations up to a certain amount for a cause of your choice. Donor matching is a great way to inspire people to give more generously, knowing their donations will go further. Your company will also be remembered for your collective generosity and goodwill. Use your company’s social media channels to spread the word about your donor matching program and encourage your followers to give to your cause.
Final tips
You’ll get a more positive response to initiating charitable efforts when you invite your staff’s involvement. Ask your employees to list charitable initiatives that align with both their own and the companies values. Then take a vote on the top two or three charities you’ll work together to support that year. Perhaps one local community initiative and a campaign to help a larger national charity.
Acknowledge your staff’s participation in your corporate giving projects and reward them for their personal contributions. Time off, a free t-shirt or a group draw for a gift card can go a long way. It also encourages increased participation, making giving back both rewarding and fun for all involved.