In the UK, 44% of employees prioritise doing meaningful work over earning a high salary. Presenting positive, meaningful corporate volunteering opportunities can help attract talent to your organisation. Some corporate volunteering considerations include:

Company purpose and values 

Some companies choose to support organisations with a direct link to their company purpose. Being involved in such opportunities may benefit employees because of the potential for skill development in a related field. Irrespective of career-related benefits, an organisation that aligns with your company’s values is advantageous. Sustainability may be a core value of your organisation, for example. In this case, if a volunteering opportunity links to your company’s sustainability purpose, it is perceived as a more genuine, meaningful activity.

Aligning your needs

Having established the link between your company’s purpose and values with volunteering, it is important to select a volunteer-involved organisation that is in need of volunteers. There may also be additional preferences to consider. Some organisations require volunteers who can volunteer long-term; building upon their skills and organisation-specific knowledge. However, companies typically grant between 8 and 40 volunteering hours per employee, per year. If volunteering days and shorter-term initiatives are what your company is looking for, ensure that this is convenient for and welcomed by your preferred organisation.

ELBA’s promise is that every single instance of corporate volunteering is needed in the community – and we have the networks of community partners developed over decades to make sure this is the case. There are some open spaces that are only maintained as good places for local residents by the force of business volunteers; and we see year after year the transformative power of school student engaging with business mentors. All in all, it is an encouraging time for corporate volunteering at a time when input of volunteers in the community is more needed than ever. 

Ian PArke, Chief Executive of TeamKinetic Users ELBA (East London Buisness Alliance)
Lloyds of London at Leyton Jubilee Park. Corporate volunteering through ELBA.

Employee skill sets and interests

Consider your employees! Volunteering opportunities will be more successful if volunteers are engaged and enthusiastic. If an opportunity matches their exciting skillset, this may bring tremendous value to your company and the volunteer organisation. As discussed in our previous blog, volunteering is a fantastic opportunity to develop your employees’ career skills. A new environment with new challenges can be a refreshing, inspiring experience.

Research suggests that altruistic motivations are the primary driver for most employees considering partaking in corporate volunteering. Offering volunteering opportunities with a cause that your employees believe in is guaranteed to spark interest. Simply wanting to be involved may be the main motivation as opposed to a specific volunteering role. 

There has been a shift in the pattern of volunteering. Increasingly people want to volunteer in teams with their colleagues, and volunteering is seen as a great way to create and sustain team work at a time when most are spending part of the week working from home. We are now finding a smaller proportion want to do individual volunteering. The death knell to employee volunteering that many predicted from the new work from home patterns has not materialised – we have found people are willing to come in on their normal working from home days to volunteer in the community. 

Ian PArke, Chief Executive of TeamKinetic Users ELBA (East London Buisness Alliance)

Case Study: Avon Needs Trees

TeamKinetic users Avon Needs Trees offer corporate volunteering days in the winter planting season from December to March. This is a fantastic opportunity for companies who are looking for corporate volunteering that relates to sustainability values. Avon Needs Trees report that their corporate volunteering days benefit companies’ recruitment and retention, employee productivity and well-being, and even help attract new customers.

Corporate Volunteering with Avon Needs Trees

Key Considerations

So, ask your employees where their interests lie and if any organisations or causes are close to their hearts. You may be made aware of some fantastic local charities or organisations you have never come across before!

Consider how organisations or volunteering opportunities align with the purpose and values of your company. If well-matched, the partnership may last well into the future. 

Finally, and most importantly, understand the needs of your chosen organisation. If you have a genuine goal to make a difference, engage with a volunteer-involved organisation that needs and wants the type of corporate volunteering you are looking to provide.

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