A step-by-step guide to launching a successful Employee Volunteering Program

Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR is majorly acknowledged by businesses and corporates in the modern ecosystem. An employee volunteering program or EVP is an impactful way to integrate CSR into the company's culture. It attracts talents with shared values and enhances the company's brand image.

We outline the main steps to launch and sustain an employee volunteering program. It includes matching employees with the right volunteer opportunities and measuring the program's success and IMPACT (Identify clear objectives, Mobilize leadership backing, Plan a structured framework, Activate volunteer management tools, Connect employees' skills with the right opportunities, and Tell the world by promoting your program through social media and newsletters). These steps drive engagement and strengthen the company’s reputation.

Step 1

I: Identify the program's objectives

Start by defining goals like:

• What is the motive of this program? Is it focused on helping local communities, fostering team spirit, and building employee skills?

• What are your organization's core focus areas? The program must align with the company's main values.

Step 2

M: Mobilize the leader's support for approval

Get support from senior leaders and elaborate on how the program aligns with business goals and enhances employee satisfaction. A solid leadership backing ensures that the program is well funded with the company's commitment.

Step 3

P: Plan and provide a clear structure for the Volunteering Framework

After the leadership is determined try to have a clear framework for the program.

i. Define time: Plan how much time employees can dedicate to volunteering. It should be clear if the company offers paid volunteer days, half-days, or after-work opportunities. Maintain flexible hours to accommodate the schedule.

ii. Different types of volunteering: Provide a mix of individual and team-based activities according to the employee's preferences.

iii. Partnerships with nonprofits: Indulge in nonprofit partnerships that align with your goals as they have a source of committed volunteers.

Step 4

A: Activate volunteer management software

Invest in Volunteer Management Software to smartly manage the EVP which helps in streamlining tasks and recruiting volunteers like finding suitable volunteers and helps in time tracking for volunteers. Tracking the success and impact of volunteering efforts also gets easier. Some of the popular platforms are VolunteerMatch, Benevity, and GivePulse.

Step 5

C: Connect with the perfect fit

Get employees whose skills and passion matched with volunteer opportunities and it can be done through the below methods:

i. Internal Survey: Get information about employee interests, skills, and preferred causes to provide a personalized volunteering experience.

ii. Skills-based volunteering: Employees feel engaged when they use their professional skills to support nonprofits.

iii. Diverse opportunities Different employees have different interests some may prefer hands-on activities, like community cleanups or food drives, while others may enjoy mentoring or teaching.

iv. Group volunteering Group volunteering activities build team spirit and camaraderie.

Step 6

T- Tell or communicate about the program

Communication is essential for driving participation. EVP can be promoted through internal newsletters, team meetings, and intranet portals. Also sharing volunteering experiences on social media can enhance the company's positive impact. It helps in attracting potential partners and talent.

Ways to measure impact

Track and measure the program's impact for continuous improvement. Use the following:

i. Key Performance Indicators or KPIs Track key metrics through participation rates, volunteer hours, and program reach.

ii. Collect feedback: Use surveys from employees and nonprofit partners to understand where to improve

iii. Report on outcomes Avail volunteer management software to generate reports and details of the program's outcomes which can be shared with leaders, partners, and stakeholders.

Why recognize success?

Celebrate employees' contributions through awards, certificates, or special events. Sharing success stories motivates others to join hands in a culture of giving.

Through careful planning, leadership support, and monitoring, a successful employee volunteering program can be carried out. Impact measurement and choosing the right employees and tools can help organizations build lasting changes. EVP helps both communities and nonprofits strengthen the company's CSR and ESG efforts.

Partner with SoulAce to transform your CSR initiatives as we help you align your goals. Get in touch with Russel@soulace.in and Sai@Soulace.in.