how to support corporate volunteering.

One thing top employers have in common is a corporate-wide commitment to social and environmental causes. That’s because they know a robust philanthropic program is attractive to job seekers and clients. Plus, it keeps employees fulfilled, engaged and productive. But it’s not enough for organizational leaders to say they believe in and support corporate volunteering. The proof, as they say, is in the pudding. Your organization’s walk, not talk, drives its bottom line.

Your employees believe in giving back, and they need to see that you do too. Not just by telling them to volunteer, but by actively supporting their efforts. Here are some steps businesses can take to support corporate volunteering.

make it a priority to have a social responsibility strategy

Like most things in business, flying by the seat of your pants rarely leads to good things. That’s also true for your social responsibility efforts. If there’s no plan in place, it’s most certainly going to fall by the wayside when other mandates pop up.

First things first: develop a social responsibility strategy and a plan to execute it. Some organizations commit part of their HR or Marketing department to strategize their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts; others assign one person or a small committee to manage and coordinate CSR efforts. Either option can be effective. It really depends on your company structure and employee availability. Either way, having a social responsibility strategy in place is a must and ensures social issues remain top of mind at your company.

establish a dedicated social responsibility team

Creating a team that’s committed to and responsible for your social responsibility strategy brings discipline and structure to your efforts. It also provides a crucial point of contact for employees who are interested in corporate volunteering or other social causes to gather resources and apply their energies to a common goal. The team will also likely be involved in information gathering and dissemination.

Strong communication and employee engagement are essential to a strong CSR policy. After all, if no one knows it exists, it’s unlikely they’ll participate. This is even more important for national organizations or those with branches in multiple locations. Why? It ensures policies and communication are consistent and shared with all your locations.

offer paid time off

There’s plenty of data to show that employers with robust social responsibility platforms are better able to engage and retain top talent.

Many organizations have community volunteer programs to bring opportunities to employees’ attention. Or, they might offer paid time off to employees who want to work on volunteering projects they’ve identified on their own. That might include individual efforts or a company-wide initiative that offers ongoing support to charitable causes you’ve identified as aligning with your corporate philosophy. Some businesses set aside dedicated employee impact days for group volunteering opportunities. Not only do these offer a chance to give back to the local area, but they’re also great team-building events.

the small things count, too

If your company isn’t in a position to offer paid time off for employees to volunteer, you can support employee efforts in other ways. For example, you could make a corporate donation to a cause chosen by your employees, such as a food bank or animal shelter. You could also consider establishing food, toy or book drives and making them a regular, seasonal or yearly initiative.

Even small employee-driven events like bake sales or a team joining a local charity event under your corporate banner can show your company cares. Your social responsibility efforts don’t necessarily have to be big and splashy to make a difference. This is one case where thought and effort really do count for a lot.

recognize employees’ efforts

Organizations that understand how to motivate their employees know that recognizing the efforts of their top performers is critical. The same is true for philanthropic efforts. While the best social responsibility efforts bring people together for the common good, it’s important to recognize individual employees for their efforts, especially if you want to attract potential employees or encourage new people to get on board.

Some organizations recognize employees with a plaque or add their names to a trophy or wall of fame — something that identifies people who go above and beyond. If your company has an Intranet or a company blog, feature notices and pictures describing employees’ volunteer efforts and their results. Offer prizes or other incentives to get reticent employees engaged in corporate volunteering.

There’s hard science that says volunteering makes people feel happy, proud and fulfilled, helps them engage more meaningfully with their coworkers and employer, and encourages greater productivity. It also builds leadership and provides opportunities to learn new skills and network more effectively. So while you’re helping make life better for local residents, your organization is benefitting as well. It’s a win-win for everyone!