One of the best ways for a workplace to serve its community is to implement corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs which address the four key areas of environment, ethics, philanthropy and economics.
The most effective philanthropic corporate giving frameworks offer a suite of programs that empower employees to give their time (volunteering), skills (mentoring, training) and money (donations) where they are most needed in local communities. Take a look at an example of what Rio Tinto has been up to in the Brisbane community.
A Multitude Of Opportunities
Communities have multifaceted needs. A critical step in addressing them is to listen to the lived experiences of those communities. Community and employee-centric corporate programs ensure solutions actually meet their needs, all while giving employees the choice to support the cause that’s most meaningful to them and that which aligns with the company’s goals and values.
There are a number of ways to deploy the time, talent and treasure of your associates and make a positive impact in the communities where you live, work, play and serve. Here are a few examples:
A Donation-Matching Program
This provides opportunities for employees to contribute to the causes that mean the most to them while the company amplifies its efforts to make an even greater impact.
Supporting Volunteerism
May 15 2023 is the beginning of National Volunteering Week, a great time to provide employees with an equal opportunity to serve with their time, skills and talents. Rewarding volunteer efforts with an accompanying financial grant or donation to nonprofits is an added bonus for both the employee and the nonprofit. Give them a certificate or e-card to show your appreciation!
Community-Impact Grants
Community members can best identify local nonprofits doing impactful work and nominate them for an opportunity to receive funding. Organizations can identify focus areas that align with the corporation’s philanthropic mission, enabling grassroots community support while complementing larger-scale, national initiatives that have a broader reach.
Employee-Led Disaster Relief
Deploying employee funds through partner organizations can help affected communities recover in pressing times of need. Providing direct support through employee volunteerism and corporate resources goes a long way, during and after a major disaster or event. Register your interest to be notified the next time Emergency Volunteering CREW are required here.
Investing In Employees And Their Families
Feeding the potential of your workers and their families can empower them to be more active in their communities—whether developing scholarship programs or supporting them personally.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Every company has unique resources and skills they can offer directly to the community. Take a moment to think about what you’re best positioned to do. This is an opportunity to leverage what your team does best. If you’re not sure, contact Volunteering Queensland here for assistance. Now, more than ever, the Queensland community needs you!
Four tips to getting started
A people-centric approach to philanthropy empowers employees with the resources needed to cultivate prosperity. Here are four tips to get started on a Corporate Social Responsibility program at your workplace:
1. Establish clear selection criteria and communications to explain the program to your staff to maximize relevant nominations and minimize disappointment with employees and nonprofits. Success means you make the right match between the volunteering opportunity and your people. Provide the selected organizations with approved language to share the news, along with how the contribution will impact the community.
2. Connect with Volunteering Queensland and Emergency Volunteering directly to understand what’s most needed to deploy your resources effectively. Having the understanding up front will make deployment quick and simple when your business is ready.
3. It’s critical to engage both Senior and Front-Line human resources in the rollout of this type of initiative to ensure staff are aware of and take advantage of the opportunity/benefit. Detailed criteria and a clear and consistent selection process are important to ensure a fair and equitable selection. In addition, nominate spokespeople in your team to create uplift and awareness with other staff.
4. Celebrate the achievements of your staff! Be sure to promote your efforts not only to promote your business and its committment to philanthropy, but also to lead by example and promote CSR in your space and amongst colleagues within the industry.
The Ultimate Beneficiary: Your Workplace
People are our most precious resource, and they give in different ways—all of which are deeply personal. Harnessing their passion for local causes through a broad suite of programs enables employees to participate in meaningful ways.
Being part of a larger mission drives employee pride and creates a true culture of connectedness. It cultivates a highly engaged and committed workforce, which improves efficiency, effectiveness and retention. As a nice side-note, CSR is also very good for business in some of the more traditional understandings.
Listening to employees and understanding the community’s needs to be led by them are key contributors not only to corporate responsibility but corporate culture and employee pride. Initiatives that encompass the four areas of CSR including environmental, ethical, philanthropic and economic have the best chance of making meaning change.