The benefits of corporate volunteerism go well beyond what the nonprofit receives. Not only does the nonprofit benefit, but so does the company that supports its employees in volunteering, and the employees themselves also benefit. We call this the “Triple Benefit” to corporate volunteerism.
Volunteering boosts engagement and decreases company costs
If you offer your employees volunteer time off (VTO), you’re not only helping out your nonprofit partner, but you’re doing good for your company as well.
We’ve talked about the benefits of a VTO program before, but let’s quickly recap. Smart, productive employees, and especially Millennials, expect employers to help them give back to their communities… not by writing a check, but by rolling up their sleeves. Employees who volunteer through their company are typically more engaged with their work. They have tangible evidence that they work for a company that cares. They make the logical connection that a company that cares about its community will also care about its employees. Employee disengagement is pervasive in corporate America. The Engagement Institute found that employees who feel burnt out or lack purpose cost U.S. companies up to $550 billion a year. Their quality of work suffers, they call in sick or show up late more often, or they simply quit in search of greener pastures.
On the other hand, engaged employees take pride in their work and the company they represent. They find their work more fulfilling and purposeful. That leads to happier employees who are more productive, have better morale, and are less likely to leave. The increase in efficiency and the decrease in turnover directly result in improvements to the bottom line. You can achieve all of that through corporate volunteerism.
Nonprofits receive a boost in visibility and volunteer numbers
Nonprofits experience an immediate impact from their corporate partners. Employee volunteers lend an extra hand at events, help raise money, and contribute needed skills. There are also less apparent benefits nonprofits and corporations receive from these partnerships.
When a nonprofit links up with a like-minded company to form a partnership, they often draw the attention of the media, especially if the partnership is well executed. Media recognition can boost sales and engagement for the business, and it can increase brand recognition and donor interest for the nonprofit. That extra attention leads to more donations, more volunteers, more sponsors, and even other partnerships for the nonprofit. And it burnishes the image of the corporate partner. NobleHour automatically generates powerful impact reports that communicate the value of the partnership to the community served.
If you offer your employees volunteer time off (VTO), you’re not only helping out your nonprofit partner, but you’re doing good for your company as well.
Volunteering has a positive impact on employee volunteers
The mere act of helping others makes people feel good. Studies linked volunteering with a number of mental and emotional benefits: improved mental health, greater self-esteem, a stronger sense of purpose, fewer depressive symptoms, and even a delay in cognitive decline.
These studies advise that volunteering has physical benefits, too. Employees who typically spend all day hunched over a desk have a chance to leave the office, meet new people, and break up their routine. Volunteering lowers blood pressure and increases overall well-being.
Volunteering can positively impact an employee’s relationship with their job. Volunteering improves teamwork, leadership, organizational and communication skills. The empathy that is at the core of volunteering raises emotional intelligence and confidence. Employee volunteers have the opportunity to expand their networks, work alongside people from diverse backgrounds, and make new friends. A survey found that people who volunteer are happier with their work-life balance.
Make the most of volunteering with NobleHour
If you’re considering setting up an employee volunteer program, but don’t know how you’ll find volunteer opportunities or track volunteer hours, take a look at NobleHour. NobleHour has everything you need to log hours, communicate with employee volunteers, and analyze the impact of your program.
By NobleHour Staff:
Allison Hale
Director of Marketing
TreeTop Commons
Portland, Oregon
Allison is the Director of Marketing for TreeTop Commons, and its products; NobleHour and Collaboratory. A Portland native, Allison volunteers regularly for community nonprofits that support sustainability programs, and at her childrens’ school teaching art literacy. |
