The 5 Best Benefits of Employee Volunteer Programs for a Company

I often tell people that I have the best job in the world.  In short, I get hired by companies to give away their money to charities (the next best job would be to be Oprah!).  But in the world of Strategic Philanthropy I have to show companies, especially those here in south Florida, the return on giving to nonprofits and the benefits of employee volunteer programs.  I recently made the business case as to why companies should support employee volunteer programs.  And while there are many ways that a company can give philanthropically, corporate volunteering offers some great return to a business.

5 Best Benefits of Employee Volunteer Programs for a Company

1. Improves employee retention – 96% of Americans agree that volunteering makes people happier.  Happy employees stay at companies.  While unhappy, unsatisfied employees cost businesses millions of dollars each year in re-hiring, re-training and retaining. [1]

2. Improved relationships with customers – 90% of consumers want companies to tell them the ways they are supporting causes.[2]

3. Provide an effective vehicle to reach strategic goals – philanthropy can help open doors to emerging opportunities and/or help alleviate a company’s biggest problems.

4. Increase employee productivity and loyalty – Happier employees are also more productive.[3]

5. Improved community perception – 85% of consumers have a more positive image of a product or company when it supports a cause[4]

Businesses benefit tremendously from employee volunteer programs.  As companies begin to focus on the triple bottom line (people, planet & profit), more and more companies will be begin to implement these types of initiatives to stay competitive.  Will your company be left behind?

Kelly Unplugged
Does your company have an employee volunteer program? If so, how does if effect your attitude about the company?