By Glen Newhart
What if someone told you that you could make an investment that elevated your company profile, increased employee motivation and inspired a positive change in your community? Through corporate giving and nonprofit partnerships, it’s all within reach.
Teaming up with a nonprofit organization increases brand awareness and enhances brand image. People like to see other people doing nice things, and giving back is a good look in the business world.
But there is more that you can do to benefit from your nonprofit partnership. Leverage your participation for social media videos and photos, blog content, website accolades, Facebook exposure and more.
Everybody wins when you include the beneficiary in your mentions — they need to get the word out about their cause and tend to their public image, too. A well-placed link on a prominent company’s website, or a social media mention on a widely followed account, can make a world of difference to a philanthropic organization and its efforts. It’s a full-circle marketing push for a great cause.
Beyond the more obvious benefits of charitable work through business, there are some profound gains in terms of employee satisfaction and work quality. A recent article by Forbes contributor Drew Hendricks notes that through more participation, “workplace morale will improve as each person feels as though they are making a difference in the community. By forming a task force that helps organize and track the project, businesses can further boost worker confidence.”
Giving back is also good for health. In a 2013 study, the UnitedHealth Group and the Optum Institute found that 76 percent of American adults who perform volunteer work say they feel healthier, while 78 percent report giving back reduces stress — all contributing factors of a more engaged, productive workforce and lower healthcare costs for employers. “Volunteering… (has) real, measurable health benefits,” added UnitedHealth’s Kate Rubin. “Employers enjoy… physically and mentally healthier employees: those that support volunteering programs in the workplace see added benefits that drive directly to their bottom line.”
It’s no surprise that employees who feel better about themselves, their health and their companies in general will create a better work product as a result.
How can companies jump start a push for giving back and building their brand? Simple, effective ideas include:
- Conducting an employee-run donation drive.
- Encouraging employees to brainstorm creative ways of getting involved. What causes are important to them? How do they feel their skills are best used to benefit the community?
- Organizing a volunteer outing, whether for special events throughout the year or on a weekly or monthly basis.
- Developing a social media campaign that spreads the word about your organization and a cause close to your heart. Take a note from initiatives like #GivingTuesday, which benefits registered charities but welcomes all sorts of participation.
- Giving employees the option of allocating a small portion of their paychecks to a cause of choice
With a few small steps, companies can make a huge impact — both in the lives of others and their own success — through charitable giving. With a new year upon us, there’s no time like the present to start a fresh tradition. Get out there and give!