Working together to tackle community issues in new and unique settings tests employees’ adaptability and problem solving abilities. According to surveys, more than 80% of professionals said they developed leadership skills as a result of their volunteer experience, and three in four think companies should use volunteering as a professional development tool.

Deloitte Volunteer IMPACT Survey, Deloitte LLP, 2017; Power Skills: How Volunteerism Shapes Professional Success, Women’s Way, 2019

Volunteering promotes trust and camaraderie by building a sense of community among employees as they work toward a common goal. Among corporate volunteer managers, 97% report that service builds teamwork internally. And volunteers think so too: 78% of say engaging in service improved their communications skills.

The Corporate Volunteer Program as a Strategic Resource: The Link Grows Stronger, Points of Light Foundation/Allstate Foundation, 2018; Power Skills: How Volunteerism Shapes Professional Success, Women’s Way, 2018

Beyond financial compensation, employees are motivated by intrinsic factors such as self-esteem and recognition. Studies show that employees involved in company cause programs are 48% more likely to be proud of their company’s values, and 66% more likely to feel a strong sense of loyalty. This, in turn, can lead to improved job performance and lower turnover.

Cause Evolution Study, Cone, 2010; Measuring the Value of Corporate Philanthropy: Social Impact, Business Benefits, and Investor Returns, Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy, 2020

Today’s top young talent considers corporate volunteer programs a significant priority when evaluating potential jobs. Nearly two-thirds of young professionals say they would prefer to work for a company that provides opportunities to serve the community with their skills, and more than half said they would consider a lesser role or lower wage if they were certain they could contribute more to society.

Deloitte Volunteer IMPACT Survey, Deloitte LLP, 2017; Kelly Global Workforce Index, Kelly Services, 2019

A good reputation is increasingly linked to bottom line benefits such as improved sales and employee productivity. One survey identified corporate citizenship as one of the top drivers of reputation, and corporate service can build brand awareness, affinity, trust, and loyalty among customers. In fact, 85% of consumers have a more positive image of a product or company when it supports a cause they care about.

Cause Evolution Study, Cone, 2020; State of Corporate Citizenship in the U.S., Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship, 2018

Companies are essential to creating meaningful change because they have resources governments and nonprofits do not. Your company plays a critical role in building community, which benefits everyone—including you. Stronger communities result in more robust markets and a deeper pool of workforce talent. Furthermore, 79% of Americans prioritized companies that supported local causes when deciding who they want to see doing business in their communities.

Cause Evolution Study, Cone, 2020