Many nonprofits in Maui County are looking to grow their volunteer programs so they can serve our community better. We recently partnered with Shanda Vangas who shared valuable tips for partnering with local businesses to increase volunteers. In today's blog post, we'll highlight some of these key strategies.
Shanda is the Founder of Fourth Wave Strategies and the current Chair of the Maui United Way Board of Directors. For more than 25 years, she has worked with corporations, nonprofit organizations and public agencies to tackle some of our most critical social issues.
Partnering with Local Businesses
Did you know that a whopping 96% of employees say that volunteering in their community is important to them? And that 88% of employees believe it's no longer acceptable for companies to just make money; companies must positively impact society as well.
What is "Corporate Social Responsibility" or CSR?
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a business approach describing a company's efforts to contribute positively to society and the environment beyond their legal obligations. CSR promotes sustainable development and addresses social and environmental challenges.
CSR encompasses a wide range of activities such as environmental sustainability efforts, philanthropic initiatives, employee welfare programs, and more. A company may undertake these activities to demonstrate its commitment to social responsibility.
3 Major Ways Businesses Support Nonprofits
Financially
Businesses can support nonprofits financially through grants, contributions, sponsorships, employee fundraising, and contracts for services.
Employee Engagement
Businesses can support nonprofits with employee engagement for example providing volunteer and board placements. Their employees can also partake and assist with pro bono services, donation drives, races, walks, and more.
In-Kind
Businesses can support nonprofits with in-kind donations. In-kind donations can include providing pro bono services, assisting with public relations, helping advocate for nonprofits, and hosting donation drives.
Why Do Companies Volunteer?
Corporate volunteering has shown to lift employee engagement (16%), increase employees' sense of purpose at work (33%), increase pride in employer's product (18%), and increase job satisfaction (13%).
Companies volunteer to:
- Make a difference
- Enhance their brand/reputation
- Engage their employees
- Attract top talent
- Increase the impact of donations
- Improve their ESG and other ratings and rankings
Best Practices for Working with Business Volunteers
While partnering with business volunteers there are a handful of best practices to consider. First and foremost, both parties must have clear goals and objectives. You also want to establish a mutually beneficial partnership, to do that, nonprofits need to understand what the business' goals are and get clear on what success looks like for them. *Nonprofit directors should have clear expectations of what is needed from the business. Maintaining ongoing communication is also key.
Creating Volunteer Partnerships with Impact
Partner with businesses whose goals align with yours. Provide meaningful and organized volunteer experiences for employees in groups or "collectively". Tell everyone the story of the impact and growth from your efforts.
How to Get Started
Now it's time to get started!
- Start developing your list or "menu" of volunteer opportunities for businesses.
- Do research to identify businesses whose goals and brand align with yours.
Clever places to start looking for partners:
- Your vendors
- Businesses that financially contribute to you
- Those in your neighborhood
- Those whose customers align with you and who you are
- Maui's "best" corporate citizens & more
3. Once you've done your research on a business and identify them as a good fit, reach out! Look at websites, social media, and leverage your network to get contact information. Then follow up regularly.
Now that your tool belt is loaded with information on how to partner with businesses to grow your volunteer program, get out there and start growing your volunteer program!
