In our November poll, we asked how your company promotes corporate citizenship, and the results were not only conclusive, but also quite encouraging – especially during this holiday season when even the smallest gestures of goodwill can go a long way toward making a difference in your community.
According to the results, the most popular means of promoting corporate citizenship is “annual donations to charitable organizations,” which received 26% of the votes, followed by “food or blood drives,” selected by nearly 21% of respondents. “Company-sponsored community involvement opportunities” came in at 19%, followed by “employees allowed time off for volunteer/community involvement” and “matching funds” at 13% and 10%, respectively.
Only 7% of respondents said their companies “do not currently support any charitable giving and/or volunteer efforts.”
Some respondents to the poll chose the “other” option and submitted a variety of other solutions for promoting corporate citizenship, including:
- Donations to scholarships and endowments
- Wellness programs to promote health and productivity
- Committees dedicated to ongoing review of needs within the community
- Company founded and supported charity programs
According to a recent Deloitte Volunteer Impact Survey, 65% of HR executives believe volunteering is beneficial to their employees and 88% say corporate citizenship programs help build a positive reputation. In fact, more than half of those who participated in the survey say volunteerism is an important component of their organization’s overall company culture.
A company’s charitable endeavors can be a valuable asset in the war on talent. There’s a growing skills gap that is having a significant impact on many businesses’ ability to attract and retain top talent. Companies that place a focused and genuine effort on corporate citizenship will often have the upper hand against the competition when competing for the best and brightest workers. This is especially true for younger generations who have shown to be more receptive to companies who make charitable giving a key focus.
Share your thoughts. Would charitable endeavors be a deciding factor on whether or not you took a job with a particular company? Does your company attract top talent due to its strong reputation for corporate citizenship? Let us know in the comments section below.
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