Sample Plate Series #2:
We’ve recently launched our Sample Plate Series and in our first article gave a brief example on how companies can align their corporate giving and/or employee volunteer programs with their corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy using Volunteer Paid Time Off or VPTO. Another example is through a “Dollars for Doers” program.
Since a key focus of CSR is Planet, People and Profits, an opportunity to engage employees is to establish a “Dollars for Doers” program and focus on the company’s internal people. Some argue that a company’s internal employees are the most important people to a company as they have a direct effect on profits. Nonetheless, Dollars for Doers is a ramped up version of matching gifts. Instead of a company solely matching an employee donation, companies now designate a contribution amount ($100, $250, $500 – with the average gift amount being $219) to the employee’s charity of choice for volunteering a certain number of hours. Volunteer hours range from 20-50 hours a year with the average volunteer time being 32 hours per year. In essence, they get “dollars for doing.” It shows that the company supports volunteer efforts, but more importantly empowers the employee to have a say in the charity he/she wants to support.
To get the double whammy on CSR points, a company can offer VPTO to employees who participate in corporate volunteer efforts that align with the company’s CSR strategy and reward their participation by donating to the employee’s charity of choice. In essence, a company would offer both a VPTO and Dollars for Doers Program. I actually have a client that is considering this option as it accomplishes what they are trying to do.
By offering attractive employee engagement programs allows a company to stay relevant and competitive.
Kelly Unplugged
What charity would you give to if your company offered a Dollars For Doers Program?
About Sample Plate Series:
Food and philanthropy are two of my favorite topics. When I go out to dinner with my husband or best girlfriends, I love ordering several appetizers or sharing meals so I can sample everything (and this way my waist line can stay somewhat intact). Having those experiences got me to thinking how sometimes blog articles are too long and cumbersome; it’s like having a whole meal when I only want a bite.
If you’re anything like me, I want short pieces of information that I can read quickly and get a good idea of what it entails. If the topic peaks my interest, then I can always explore it more. Thus I created my Sample Plate Series. Sample Plate Series are brief blog posts that readers can easily get an understanding or “sample” of the discussion topic. They aren’t too in-depth but give the reader a taste. If this “sample” leaves you hungry for more, then maybe you’ll come back and order an entrée.
