Since the pandemic, employers have sought ways to re-engage their employees, especially as many shifted to a hybrid work arrangement. As a result, corporate volunteer programs have been on the rise.
A Benevity Impact Labs report on The State of Corporate Volunteering found there’s been a 15% increase in the prevalence of companies running volunteer programs for employee engagement. The 2024 data also shows a 57% year-over-year increase in the rate of global employee volunteering participation and a 41% year-over-year increase in the total number of volunteer hours performed by companies and their employees.
In addition to increased engagement, corporate volunteer programs lead to improved brand image, enhanced recruitment and retention, and happier employees. If that sounds good, read on to learn more about corporate volunteer programs, including how to implement them, encourage participation, and measure effectiveness.
What is a Corporate Volunteer Program?
Often part of a company’s corporate social responsibility initiatives, a corporate volunteer program is a formalized avenue for a company’s employees to donate time and talents to an organization. Corporate volunteering programs can be set up in numerous ways. Common corporate volunteer programs include:
- Paid time off for employees to volunteer at an organization of their choice
- Day of service programs, where employees volunteer together (Earth Day cleanups, Habitat for Humanity builds, etc.)
- Skills-based volunteering, where employees use their professional expertise to help nonprofits
What Are the Benefits of a Corporate Volunteer Program?
Corporate volunteer programs have become increasingly vital in modern business strategy, serving as powerful tools for both community impact and organizational development. Providing corporate volunteer opportunities creates a unique triple benefit — serving the community, enhancing employee experience, and strengthening corporate culture.
Benefits of a corporate volunteer program include:
- Employee satisfaction: A survey of more than 5,000 full-time workers found that 79% of employees who volunteer through work-sponsored programs are satisfied with their jobs, compared to a 55% satisfaction rate among those who don’t volunteer.
- Healthier workforce: Numerous reports show volunteering reduces stress and improves happiness, leading to improved mental health.
- Skill development: Employees gain valuable leadership, project management, and communication skills through volunteer experiences, which transfer back to their work roles.
- Worker retention: A talent retention study by Benevity shows employees who participate in corporate purpose programs are 52% less likely to leave their company.
- Enhanced reputation: Corporate volunteer programs improve company image in the community, attracting both customers and potential employees who value social responsibility.
- Team building: Volunteer activities create natural opportunities for employees across departments to work together and build stronger relationships.
How to Implement an Effective Corporate Volunteer Program
The steps to implement an effective corporate volunteer program include:
1. Create Policy
When structuring a corporate volunteer program, it’s helpful to first create a corporate volunteer policy. Luckily, we have a template for that. This helps you iron out the details like volunteer expectations, employee eligibility criteria, and volunteer time off (VTO) maximums.
To guide your policy, create a company volunteer philosophy that defines why volunteering matters to your organization and how it connects to your company’s mission and values. Identify the specific social issues or causes your company wants to address through volunteer efforts and any goals you’d like you program to meet, such as a certain amount of hours or dollars donated per year.
2. Assign Program Leadership
Designate a program coordinator or team to oversee volunteer initiatives. For group volunteering, they’ll organize and execute events. For individual VTO programs, they’ll review and approve volunteer opportunities chosen by employees. The coordinator should also maintain nonprofit partnerships, track participation, and ensure the program runs smoothly.
3. Select Nonprofit Partners
For group volunteering, research and connect with nonprofit organizations that can accommodate large teams and provide meaningful work. If you are granting VTO, follow your policy guidelines about eligible organizations and activities. It still helps to have a list of select nonprofit partners for employees who want to volunteer, but aren’t sure where to start.
4. Implement Tracking System
Set up a system to monitor both individual VTO hours and group volunteer participation. This could be through your HR software, a volunteer management platform, or a spreadsheet. For VTO programs, include a process for employees to request and log time. For group events, track attendance and gather feedback about the experience.
5. Develop Communication Plan
Create a strategy to promote your volunteer program internally and share success stories. Use company newsletters, internal social networks, and team meetings to highlight volunteer opportunities and celebrate participant achievements. Regular communication helps maintain enthusiasm and drives continued engagement.
6. Roll Out Program
Launch your volunteer program with a kickoff event or pilot project to generate excitement. Start with a small group or single department to test your processes before expanding company-wide. Gather feedback early and often to identify and address any challenges quickly.
How to Encourage Employee Participation
Once you launch a corporate volunteer program, look for ways to encourage employee volunteerism. The most successful programs make volunteering accessible, rewarding, and aligned with employees’ interests. Ways to boost participation include:
- Flexible options: Offer both group volunteer events and individual VTO to accommodate different schedules and preferences.
- Leadership involvement: Have executives and managers lead by example through active participation in volunteer activities.
- Recognition program: Create a system to acknowledge volunteers through company newsletters, awards, or special events celebrating their impact.
- Matching initiatives: Consider matching volunteer hours with charitable donations or offering grants to organizations where employees regularly volunteer.
- Team challenges: Create friendly competition between departments with goals and rewards for highest participation rates.
- Clear communication: Regularly share volunteer opportunities, impact stories, and program updates through multiple channels.
- Easy process: Make it simple to find opportunities, sign up for events, and track volunteer hours.
- Feedback loops: Survey participants to understand what motivates them, and adjust the program accordingly.
Successful Corporate Volunteer Program Examples
For inspiring examples of successful corporate volunteer programs, check out past winners of the Engage for Good Halo Awards. Paycor was name a finalist in 2020 for Community Partners, our associate-run community program. Community Partners empowers employees to initiate and/or participate in events that benefit others within their local communities.
Some standout corporate volunteer program examples include:
- Drone training program: CSX and Wounded Warrior Project created a Drone Training Program to help veterans transition to a new career. CSX employees donated over 240 hours of their time to this workforce development program.
- Colorful Communities: PPG, a global company that delivers paints, coatings, and specialty materials, created a program that engages its employees to make a difference in the appearance of schools and playgrounds. Nearly 8,000 employees have volunteered for this initiative.
How to Measure the Success of a Corporate Volunteer Program
Measuring the success of a corporate volunteer program involves evaluating its impact on employees, the organization, and the community. One key metric is employee engagement, which can be assessed by tracking participation rates, gathering feedback through surveys, and analyzing how the program influences morale and team cohesion. Community impact is another crucial factor, measured by outcomes such as the number of beneficiaries served, volunteer hours contributed, or funds raised, compared to the program’s initial goals.
Additionally, organizations can evaluate whether employees gain or enhance skills through their volunteer activities, demonstrating a return on investment in professional development.
Monitoring public perception, media mentions, and awards related to the program provides insight into how it enhances the company’s brand reputation. Lastly, the program’s effect on employee retention and recruitment can be analyzed to determine if it helps retain existing talent or attract new hires. Regularly reviewing these aspects ensures the program remains effective and impactful.
How Paycor Helps
Whether it’s through volunteer programs, mentorship, or training opportunities, it’s important to create a culture of ongoing development. Paycor Talent Development Software enables companies to focus on continous development and coaching conversations that engage employees and deliver positive business outcomes. From creating shared goals to a recognition tool to celebrate major milestones, the software unlocks the full potential of your workforce. Take a guided tour to learn more.