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Giving back has enormous power to engage employees, with recent survey results showing:

  • 71% of employees state it is very important to work at a company that partakes in philanthropy.
  • 55% of employees would take a pay cut to work at a socially responsible company.
  • 77% of employees reported a sense of purpose as part of the reason they selected their current employer.
  • Employees who participate in corporate giving have 75% longer tenure with their companies.
  • 96% of employees who volunteer with their company report having a positive company culture.

Source: (1)

The importance of giving back for employee engagement is clear. But with that said, a mere 31% of employees say their organization provides resources to support environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals. (2)

So, how can your organization maximize the opportunities offered by corporate responsibility? Start with these 9 fun and moving ways to empower employees to give back.

1 – GET EMPLOYEE INPUT ON WORTHY CAUSES

If you want your charitable efforts to engage employees, you must make sure they care about the worthy causes you choose. The best way to pick the right beneficiaries is to directly ask for input from your workers. You can do this any number of ways, from sending an anonymous survey to soliciting verbal input during a meeting. If you use the first method, set a deadline for responses. It is best to give employees two to three days to respond.

Once you have the responses in hand, group them according to the organization or general cause. The simplest way to narrow down the final picks is according to number; in other words, those with the most interest are the “winners.” Do not limit it to one or two causes, as you will need enough to get through a year, with charitable activities spaced out by about two to three months. If this is too frequent, plan for one cause per quarter.

And treat the list of worthy causes as dynamic rather than static. If the existing options fall flat, do not hesitate to survey employees again or try some of the ones that did not make the final cut. You might discover a hidden gem among them!

2 – RECOGNIZE EMPLOYEES WHO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

One of the most impactful ways to spark enthusiasm is to recognize employees who give back. Ideas include awards like plaques or trophies, a mention in the company newsletter, a VIP experience, or a trip to a desirable destination. Regardless of the form of recognition, it will make the recipient feel seen and appreciated.

3 – DEDICATE A WORKDAY TO A CAUSE

What sounds more engaging to you: spending a day at work or spending a day to benefit a good cause? Many people will prefer the latter, and your employees are no exception.

This is the reason why dedicating a workday to giving back is such a great idea. Employees get a break from the daily grind and the satisfaction of helping out an organization or helping the planet. Plus, banding together to complete this task helps strengthen the bonds between teammates.

4 – OFFER PRO BONO WORK

Not every form of altruism is physical in nature. In fact, some of the best forms are service-oriented. Often, nonprofits and individuals lack the funds to pay for services they need. You can utilize the skillsets of people in your workforce to provide these services free of charge. Companies in virtually any industry, from legal representation to housekeeping, can apply this concept. And your employees will get gratification from using their skills to help others.

5 – HOST A CHARITABLE EVENT

It could be small, medium, or large-scale, but holding a charitable event as an organization is another great way to engage employees. You can choose from a variety of ways to raise funds, such as donations or silent auctions, or use the event to assemble kits.

6 – PARTNER WITH AN ORGANIZATION THAT ALIGNS WITH YOUR COMPANY CULTURE

You should never underestimate the importance of a positive company culture. Regularly strengthening the tenets of your company culture is equally important. By partnering with an organization that aligns with the values established by leadership, you reinforce your company’s commitment to holding up these principles. Take it a step further and put your partnership in writing, such as on your website, employee handbook or an internal newsletter.

7 – SPONSER AN ATHLETIC TEAM

It could be a youth sports team or a team comprised of adults who have financial challenges. Any team made up of people in need is a great candidate for sponsorship. When your organization becomes a sponsor, you donate funds for needs like equipment and uniforms. You might even cover the cost of renting playing space if it requires a fee. Encourage workers to attend practices and games to cheer on the team members. Donating water bottles, sports drinks, and healthy snacks is another great way to help!

8 – OFFER DISCOUNTS ON YOUR PRODUCTS OR SERVICES

You do not have to give your products or services away free of charge to help an organization in need. Instead, you might offer a deep discount on them. While recipients have to pay some money, a discount can still make a big difference in their budget.

9 – HOST A FOOD DRIVE

Traditionally, a food drive entails taking donated items to a physical space. This is wonderful if you are collecting donations from just internal staff.  However, if you plan to open up donations to the public, incorporating a virtual food drive is an excellent alternative. Additionally, incorporating a virtual component into your physical food drive can invite donations that might not have occurred, especially if you open it up to the public.

Unlike physical spaces, virtual food drives accept donations via a website link. Money or items from a list can be easily donated, and everything is delivered directly to charity. Amazon makes this an easy option for food drives.

SPARKING ENGAGEMENT BY GIVING BACK

By utilizing a few or all of these ideas, you will inspire your employees to become more involved in your company’s altruistic efforts. Engaged employees are more productive, feel a sense of belonging, and are more likely to remain with the organization long-term – meaning that by helping others, you also help your company succeed.

 

If you want to make sure your next business event makes a positive impact on those in need, contact Gavel International! We have years of experience organizing corporate meetings and can help your company give back at your next big occasion.

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SOURCE(S):

1 doublethedonation.com/how-csr-impacts-businesses/

2 https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2023-12-05-gartner-hr-survey-finds-84-percent-of-employees-believe-their-organization-lacks-a-strong-sustainability-culture

Jim Bozzelli
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