Engaging Employees with Philanthropy Increases Retention
Now, more than ever, employers work hard to retain talent. Beyond fair compensation, competitive benefits and work-life balance, employees are looking at whether their employer is making a positive impact within the community and beyond. According to a Benevity survey, creating and executing a purposeful giving program can help decrease turnover by 52%!
Traditionally, corporate and small business giving includes C level employees getting together and deciding what organizations they want to partner with. This can include donating, sponsoring or volunteering with local nonprofits. The sense of corporate social responsibility often aligns with the company mission. While this is important, there can be a disconnect between how those organizations support communities and what is important to the employees.
As members of the Baby Boomer and Generation X move into retirement, Gen Z and Millennials make up almost 50% of the workforce. Gen Z and Millennials tend to be very socially conscious. This is different from other generations who look at donating time and treasure as a social responsibility. Gen Z and Millennials are very analytical and want to engage with organizations that resonate with them and their personal values.
Employee engagement is important for employers to consider when looking at how their group gives back. Small businesses and corporations are often very philanthropic, but are the causes ones that their employees can get behind? The solution: Create an environment of philanthropy that is purposeful to include your employees.
- Plan from the top and encourage execution by employees. Consider having a giving committee that can help stay organized.
- Stay consistent throughout the year. Be sure this is not something that feels thrown together at the end of the year. Be purposeful with giving days throughout the year and mindful of important awareness months and dates.
- Communicate your commitment to giving back. Showcase how your business is making a difference and encourage employees to share.
Now that we have a plan, what are some exciting ways to help employees engage?!
- Include paid volunteer time off in your company’s benefits.
- Create a fundraising event voted on and led by employees.
- Share charitable funds to the employees that they can give to any nonprofit they choose.
There are many, many more creative ideas. The common thread through all of them, they are employee led and employer supported!
At the end of the day, it is important to have both approaches: leadership from the employer to give back to missions that align with the business AND empower employees to get involved with organizations that align with their personal values.
About the Author: Stefany Dolan and her sister Stacia Jones are owners with becauseOne – a giving platform that clearly communicates nonprofit needs and engages community members in a unique way. They support businesses in creating a purposeful, customized giving program to creatively engage employees and the nonprofits they support!