Sarah Ford | April 10, 2015

Engage Employees in Causes, But Do It Smartly

By Emily Rothberg

The employee volunteerism spigot isn’t slowing anytime soon.ÌýWhat can — and should — nonprofits do to manage this onslaught of good intention?Ìý

Recently the blogosphere lit up with the image of the embattled Boston YMCA executive throwing her hands up at the prospect of one more vanload of corporate employees being dropped off for a volunteer experience.

Unfortunately,Ìýwell-intentioned companies looking to marry employee engagement and corporate citizenship agendas will hold fundraising support for nonprofits hostage, requiringÌýbeleaguered nonprofits to create volunteerism opportunities that cause more headaches than help.

Neither sector – nonprofit or business – has figured out to navigate this supply-demand challenge. But, having nonprofits throw in the corporate volunteerism towel isn’t the answer either.

How can we turn corporate volunteers into assets, not liabilities? How can nonprofits say yes to volunteers and no to wall re-painting?

Get Resources and Insights Straight To Your Inbox

Explore More Articles

February is Marfan Awareness Month!

February 3, 2025

Marfan syndrome affects an estimated 1 in 5,000 people regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender, and experts estimateÌýthat nearly half the people who have Marfan…

Read Article

February is Cancer Prevention Month

February 3, 2025

A substantial proportion of cancers could be prevented, including all cancers caused by tobacco use and other unhealthy behaviors. Excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, at least…

Read Article

Celebrating the Agents of Change this Black History Month

February 3, 2025

During Black History Month, which takes place each year during the month of February, there is much to celebrate about the past achievements and impact…

Read Article

Get Resources and Insights Straight To Your Inbox

Receive our monthly/bi-monthly newsletter filled with information about causes, nonprofit impact, and topics important for corporate social responsibility and employee engagement professionals, including disaster response, workplace giving, matching gifts, employee assistance funds, volunteering, scholarship award program management, grantmaking, and other philanthropic initiatives.

newsletter-mock