Benefits of corporate volunteering

The impact of corporate volunteering

Social action Volunteering Corporate social responsibility

Corporate volunteering, also known as business volunteering, is an initiative whereby companies encourage their employees to dedicate part of their time and skills to charitable activities and social projects. It is a practice that seeks to merge business objectives with positive social impact and has a number of important benefits for both the company and the employees.

This social engagement can manifest itself in a variety of ways, including the donation of time, resources and expertise by employees, and can cover a wide range of activities, from volunteering in non-profit organisations to undertaking corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects. Moreover, the issues addressed in this type of volunteering can be very diverse, such as education, environment, health, social inclusion and other issues relevant to the community. 

Currently, according to Voluntare data, 67% of Spanish companies have corporate volunteering programmes, while in Europe this percentage rises to 79%. In the case of the Americas, 87% of Latin American companies and 85% of US companies included in the Fortune 500 have this type of programme.

Iberdrola, our corporate volunteering programme, in which almost 17,000 people currently participate, was launched in 2006. In addition, we have also been organising the International Volunteer Week for 12 years, which, in its last edition, had more than 8,000 volunteers who participated in 130 solidarity activities related to care for the environment, the fight against climate change, the inclusion of vulnerable groups, and social assistance.

 SEE INFOGRAPHIC: The benefits of corporate volunteering [PDF]

Do you know the benefits of corporate volunteering for society?

There is no doubt that corporate volunteering offers significant benefits to society at large, some of the most representative of which are listed below:

Significant positive impact on the community: By mobilising employees from different companies to engage in community service activities. This translates into improving people's quality of life, providing essential resources and services to those who need them most, and supporting non-profit organisations that often lack financial and human resources.

It addresses important social and environmental issues: Some of them are education, environment, health and social inclusion. Companies can play a key role in finding solutions to these challenges, contributing to the sustainable development of society. This social and environmental commitment also encourages corporate social responsibility that also considers its impact on the community and the environment.

Strengthens community cohesion among workers, companies and society at large: By promoting collaboration and civic engagement, it creates a more united and caring community in which companies play an active role in promoting the well-being of all.

Benefits of corporate volunteering for companies 

Corporate volunteering can be a beneficial strategy for companies as it not only contributes to the well-being of society and the community, but also has a significant positive impact on the company itself by enhancing its reputation, corporate culture, employee commitment to the company and to their colleagues, etc. The main benefits of corporate volunteering for companies can include:

Positive social impact: By participating in volunteering projects, companies can have a real and positive impact on the local community and on important social and environmental issues.

Strengthening organisational culture: Encouraging participation in volunteering activities can strengthen company culture, promoting values such as civic engagement, solidarity and teamwork among employees.

Improved employee engagement: Another benefit of volunteering for companies is that it can contribute to increased employee satisfaction, which in turn can have a positive impact on staff retention. Employees often feel more connected to the company when they participate in meaningful activities.

Skills development: Corporate volunteers often acquire new skills or improve existing ones, such as leadership, communication, teamwork and problem solving. These can be beneficial in both their professional and personal lives.

Talent attraction: Companies that stand out for their corporate volunteering programmes may be more attractive to new talent looking for a company with similar values and social commitments.

Networking and relationship building: Another advantage of corporate volunteering is that it presents itself as an opportunity to build business relationships and collaborate with non-profit organisations and other entities. 

Meeting corporate social responsibility (CSR) objectives: Corporate volunteering contributes to meeting the company's CSR objectives, demonstrating a tangible commitment to social and environmental issues, and providing measurable results that can be communicated to stakeholders.

• Improved image and reputation: Corporate volunteering can enhance the company's image, showing it as a socially responsible and community-engaged entity, something that can also have a positive impact on brand perception and customer loyalty.
• Tax and legal benefits: In some places, there are tax incentives and legal benefits for companies involved in volunteering activities.

Benefits of corporate volunteering for the worker

In addition to the benefits that corporate volunteering offers to society in general and to the company itself, it is also important to bear in mind that this type of programme is also of significant benefit to the employees of the companies involved in these initiatives. Some of the significant benefits for the workers who participate in these corporate volunteering activities are: 

Sense of purpose: Corporate volunteering offers the opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way to causes that matter, something that can generate a deep sense of purpose as well as rewarding personal satisfaction. This in turn has a positive impact on the satisfaction of employees who feel part of a collective effort. 

Learning and skills development:  Another benefit of corporate volunteering for employees is that it can be a learning experience where employees are exposed to new challenges, perspectives and cultural experiences, which can contribute to their personal and professional growth.

Building professional networks: Volunteering provides opportunities to build relationships with colleagues and people from different areas of the company, which can enrich professional networks and open doors to future career opportunities.

Improved mental and physical health: Helping others can have mental health benefits by reducing stress, increasing a sense of well-being and improving emotional health. In addition, some volunteering activities can be physically active, promoting physical health.

Recognition and rewards: Companies often recognise and reward workers who participate in volunteering activities, which may include awards, recognition, paid time off or contributions to charities on behalf of the volunteer.

Sense of community: Corporate volunteering can foster a sense of community and belonging among employees as they work together to address important issues outside the work environment.

Valuable experience on the CV: Participation in volunteering can enrich a worker's CV and be a differentiating factor in future career opportunities.

In short, corporate volunteering allows companies to demonstrate their social responsibility and contribute to the well-being of society at large. In addition, it can be an effective tool to engage employees, improve organisational culture and build positive community relations.