A new study by the Points of Light Foundation indicates that corporate America views employee volunteer programs as a significant way to help reach business goals.
The survey results are from the foundation's latest study, "Corporate Volunteer Programs -- A Strategic Resource: The Link Grows Stronger," which indicates such employee programs benefit the company, its employees and the community. The survey was funded by the Allstate Foundation.
Volunteer efforts not only benefit communities, but also enhance a company's public image and improves employee teamwork. That is why more companies are incorporating these programs into their overall business plans and corporate mission statements than ever before, the foundation reports.
This trend shows more companies are linking their philanthropic and volunteer efforts together.
That corporate connection between philanthropy and volunteering is one of many things that have changed since the last survey was completed in 1992, according to Robert K. Goodwin, Points of Light's president and chief executive officer.
"Employee volunteer programs are clearly no longer viewed as isolated company events," Goodwin stated. "They now play an important strategic role and are an integral part of a company's core business functions."
The survey of 2,772 U.S. corporations showed 81 percent connect volunteering to their overall business strategies. That figure has skyrocketed compared the 31 percent of corporations that did so seven years ago during the original survey, done in conjunction with The Conference Board.
Other survey highlights include:
28 percent of companies not currently using their volunteer programs strategically believe they should.
83 percent connect such programs to their company's public relations activities.
64 percent of companies tie those volunteer efforts into their marketing and communications.
58 percent tie the efforts into human resources and employee retention.
60 percent use volunteer initiatives to develop employer skills.
20 percent of companies surveyed reported that more than half of their employees participate in volunteer programs.
38 percent say that between 20 and 40 percent of their employees participate in those efforts.
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