Businesses, large and small, have made financial contributions to non-profit, or community-benefit organizations, for many years. It wasn’t until recently that they began to increase their engagement…through volunteerism. Employee volunteer programs are becoming increasingly popular not just with large corporations, but small-to-mid-sized businesses seeking to enhance local communities and embark upon innovative business development initiatives.

Recognizing the trend, particularly through the number of inquiries we’re receiving to facilitate employee volunteer programs, here are simple suggestions to consider when developing a volunteer program at your business.

• Have a sincere interest in creating change and making a difference as a company;
• Solicit buy-in and support from executive leaders;
• Hire an employee and/or select a consultant to create community connections as well as design and manage the program;
• Set goals and objectives;
• Consider offering special incentives, such as financial compensation, internal and public recognition, gift-for-hour donations;
• Map existing employee connections, involvement, and interests;
• Qualify organizations to ensure appropriate connections and validate purposes;
• Track volunteer involvement;
• Promote corporate to community engagement;
• Evaluate employee volunteer program.

One task that’s not included, but is quite important, is to determine your expectations. Businesses which have identified and, more importantly, endorsed key expectations, such as those listed below, have developed successful employee volunteer programs.

• Incorporate with core business and  corporate giving strategies
• Create a healthier workforce
• Deep understanding of employees;  strong relationships
• Improve employee and job satisfaction; improved employee communication
• Network by interfacing with community leaders
• Show company and community pride
• Enhance employee recruitment and retention
• Recognize and address community needs; improve quality of life
• Positively impact profitability – 81% of corporations focus their employee volunteer programs on core business functions

Community leadership goes far beyond simply making financial contributions. When businesses become actively engaged with community needs, causes, and organizations, incredible synergy is created and becomes contagious. End results include stronger workforces, community connections, and business-to-business alliances.

Think again if you find it strange that NPcatalyst, as a corporate giving consultant, is giving away the “secret sauce” to volunteer programming. It’s possible, but successful programs possess commitment, attention, and organization. This is precisely what volunteer program consultants, like NPcatalyst, provide to its corporate clients.

To learn more about creating a strong employee volunteer program at your business, contact NPcatalyst at info@NPcatalyst.com and 775-333-9444.

We’re celebrating the two month anniversary of NPcatalyst’s public launching and excited to report that we’ve:

• Developed a wildly popular media partnership resource
• Delivered opportunities to 104 community organizations, businesses and business leaders
• Generated dozens of new donors and thousands of dollars within a 24-hour period to a local non-profit organization
• Reached thousands of connections, including current and aspiring philanthropists in 13 different countries, through our social media tools
• Facilitated a long-term group volunteerism partnership between a local business and local non-profit
• Created a unique ratings and best practices tool to inspire non-profit strength, performance and funding
• Linked new volunteer leaders directly to local organizations
• Distributed a charitable giving guide for businesses
• Created online giving portals to three community organizations
• Launched a “mapping” tool to help sales and marketing departments deliver results from new leads

Tremendous credit for our success is due to our forward-thinking and goals-driven partners, collaborators, and clients. You’re all amazing!

We’re very proud of our accomplishments during this very brief period and, as a result of the partnerships we’re currently creating, we expect to report even greater milestones two months from now.  If you’d like to be part of the next list of accomplishments, contact us today by emailing info@npcatalyst.com or calling 775-333-9444.

Your philanthropic partner, NPcatalyst!

Midway through a presentation I was giving on community leadership this evening, I caught myself wondering how each person was interpreting my comments. “What’s their voluntary interest” and “what role does volunteering play in their future” bounced in my head. Most of the audience of aspiring community leaders had very little experience as volunteers, which made my analysis intriguing. Here I was, a person so passionate about community leadership, trying to preach the good word, while conducting an analysis of his audience. It was both exciting and eye-opening.

What I concluded was this: each of us develops personal relationships with his/her own benevolence.

For the person interested in becoming active with the community, the process can be similar to dating. There are many organizations affecting different causes…most all of which are led by caring and dedicated leaders. Based on personal interests, passions, and connections, some organizations will fit more than others. Providing leadership in different ways, from general operations assistance to program/event leadership to skills-based support to board governance, it’s a process of discovery, peaks-valleys, and excitement. And as I shared this evening, it’s similar to romance.

As with dating, some of us will travel the path on our own, without assistance, until we find “the one”…the organization which presents the ideal fit. There’s certainly nothing wrong with that journey.

For others, getting set up (like a blind date) or using a little guidance (like matchmaking) there may be strategy involved. Recognizing the causes which link the greatest interest and passion, and identifying which organizations affect those particular causes, will provide the volunteer-seeker with the right foundation.

There are many organizations in our communities looking for great leaders, who represent diverse backgrounds and bring different skill sets. That’s the excitement that volunteerism brings – you never know how the relationship will look. More than not, it’s all positive, as we’re all seeking greater things for our communities. From where I stand, it’s incredibly rewarding to watch (or help create) successful matches come together – everyone wins – especially those who are ultimately affected by the organization’s missions, programs, and…volunteer leadership.

Volunteerism…A Great Sport