Boost your karma and your bottom line? Yes, please.

More and more companies are building volunteering programs into their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) frameworks—and for good reason. Giving your team the opportunity to practice generosity together fosters brand loyalty from the inside out. 

Workplace volunteer programs are more than feel-good initiatives—companies can reap significant benefits from enhancing employee retention, improving brand reputation, attracting top talent, and shining a spotlight on core brand values. Who says good deeds go unrewarded?

We’ll guide you through how to get started and arm you with five stellar volunteer ideas to bring into your workplace. Let’s start by breaking down why workplace volunteering programs are the gift that keeps on giving.

Benefits of corporate volunteering

1. Attract top-notch talent.

You know what they say—you get what you give. Today’s workforce is on the lookout for employers who offer more than just a paycheque. Aligning your company’s core values to the causes, programs, and organizations can help inspire the right people to join your team. In fact, Volunteer Canada reports that when given the choice between two jobs, 68% of Canadians would choose the one with the strong volunteer culture.

2. Create a culture of belonging

Corporate volunteer programs offer a unique way to retain your best and brightest by fostering a sense of community and belonging. Employees who feel a strong connection to their workplace are more likely to stick around long-term. A report by Volunteer Canada stated 70% of employees would be more loyal to a company that helps them contribute to social and environmental issues.

3. Shine a spotlight on your company’s core values 

Sharing your business’s core values gives a glimpse into the heart of your company. It helps customers and employees connect with your brand on a deeper level, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose. By showing your values in an authentic and relatable way, you can create a memorable and meaningful brand identity that resonates with customers and employees.

4. Engage employees in an intentional and meaningful way

By participating in volunteer programs, employees can have a sense of connection to their community and to their company. This connection translates into greater job satisfaction, increased productivity, and less turnover—which in turn could be part of your team’s overall employee engagement strategy. 

5 creative volunteering ideas for your office

1. Clean up your community

Passionate about your local ecosystems? Get outside, soak up some vitamin D and bond with your team while cleaning up your community. Whether you partner with a charity or local government organization, it’s simple and seriously gratifying to gather and clean up parks, beaches, and other public spaces. The City of Vancouver has an Adopt-a-Block program and opportunities for volunteers to help manage graffiti throughout the city.  

2. Get your tech on with STEM volunteering

If your team has expertise in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM), consider volunteering to teach these skills to students in underserved communities. Organizations like Canada Learning Code work with thousands of volunteers to make technology education accessible and fun for all of Canada.

3. Dig deep into community gardens

If your office is full of gardeners and lovers of the outdoors, volunteering at a community garden will most certainly get two green thumbs up. Some community gardens harvest produce to be distributed, while other organizations like Fresh Roots aim to educate and inspire meaningful connections with land and food.

4. Paint the town red with your team

Volunteering to help paint is a creative and rewarding activity that allows your employees to work together towards a common goal—while also making a visible difference in the lives of others. There are countless organizations to discover, like the Pacific Immigration Resource Society, which works to address the needs and challenges of migrant women and children in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, 

5. Be a mentor matchmaker 

Your colleagues and employees are a wealth of knowledge—why not share it? Developing a mentoring program is a tremendous way to help students and other aspiring professionals learn more about your industry. Mentoring is a fulfilling form of volunteering and can help your team develop leadership skills they can bring back to your organization. 

Find the right volunteer opportunity

There’s no limit to the type of charitable activities your organization could support. As you begin to narrow down the options, it’s important to ask employees for their input. Connect with managers and leadership teams to find a time that employees can volunteer during work hours. Spend some time gathering a few options that encompass the time and talent available to give, and research organizations to ensure their values align with your own. 

Thankfully, there are plenty of online resources to help narrow it down. You can browse opportunities in your area with websites such as Volunteer Canada, Volunteer Connector, or Charity Villiage which aims to connect volunteers with organizations across Canada. 

Alternatively, contact your local government and ask about available group volunteering opportunities. Many municipalities have volunteer programs that connect people with ways to give back to their community. 

Check out our simple roadmap to find the charitable cause that’s right for you!