By encouraging employees to volunteer their skills, serve on nonprofit boards and share professional expertise, businesses can strengthen nonprofit organizations while creating meaningful engagement opportunities for their workforce. Financial donations are an essential source of support for nonprofit organizations, but money alone cannot meet every need. Many nonprofits operate with lean teams and limited access to specialized expertise in areas such as finance, operations, technology, marketing and governance. And corporate leaders are in a unique position to close that gap. 

Business leaders that support nonprofits in this way can build stronger communities, develop employee leadership skills and reinforce a culture of purpose within the organization.

EXPLAINING THE NEED

Many nonprofit organizations operate with small administrative teams responsible for financial reporting, compliance, strategic planning and operational oversight. At the same time, nonprofit boards are expected to provide governance, financial oversight and strategic guidance.

This creates a clear need for professionals with business experience. Corporate professionals bring skills that nonprofits often cannot afford to hire internally. When these professionals volunteer their time or serve on boards, they help nonprofits strengthen their operations and decision-making processes.

WHY BUSINESSES SHOULD ENCOURAGE EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT

Encouraging employees to support nonprofits benefits both the community and the company.

First, it strengthens community relationships. Businesses rely on healthy communities to thrive, and nonprofits play a critical role in addressing social needs. Supporting them helps create more stable and resilient communities.

Second, volunteering builds leadership skills. Employees who serve on nonprofit boards or committees can gain experiences that translate into stronger leadership within the workplace.

Third, community engagement improves employee satisfaction. Many professionals want their work to contribute to a larger purpose. When companies support volunteerism, employees feel that their employer values service and social impact. Research from America’s Charities in fact reports that 71% of surveyed employees agree it is important to work where the company’s culture supports giving and volunteering. 

Finally, nonprofit involvement enhances a company’s reputation. Organizations known for community involvement often earn greater trust from clients, employees and stakeholders. Data from Score, a mentorship platform, cites that 85% of consumers polled have a more positive image of a company that supports charities.

EXAMPLES OF CORPORATE SUPPORT PROGRAMS

Companywide structured programs make it easier for employees to contribute their time and expertise. One widely used approach is the “Dollars for Doers” program. Under this model, companies provide financial donations to nonprofits where employees volunteer their time. For example, a company might contribute $10 for every hour an employee volunteers with a qualified nonprofit. This approach rewards community engagement while providing nonprofits with additional funding.

Platforms such as Groundswell simplify the backend coordination of large-scale employee volunteer programming from set up to post-event reporting. It also allows employees to contribute financially to charities they care about using allotted funds provided by employers. 

Companies can also establish board service initiatives, where leaders actively encourage experienced employees to join nonprofit boards. Organizations may even provide training or mentorship to help employees prepare for governance roles.

WAYS COMPANIES CAN INCENTIVIZE PARTICIPATION

Corporate leaders can encourage engagement through practical strategies:

  • Recognize volunteer efforts: Publicly acknowledge employees who contribute significant time to nonprofits. Recognition reinforces the value of service within company culture
  • Support board service: Encourage professionals to serve on nonprofit boards where their expertise is highly valuable
  • Create company volunteer events: Organized volunteer days help employees participate together and introduce them to local nonprofit organizations

KEY ACTION STEPS AND TAKEAWAYS

For corporate leaders looking to strengthen nonprofit partnerships, several actions can make a meaningful difference:

  1. Start by identifying nonprofits aligned with your company’s values and community priorities
  2. Encourage employees to share their professional skills, not just their time
  3. Create structured programs that remove barriers to participation
  4. Promote board service as a leadership development opportunity for experienced professionals
  5. Recognize and celebrate employee involvement to reinforce a culture of community engagement

Nonprofits need more than funding; they need expertise, leadership and committed partners. When businesses encourage employees to contribute their professional skills and time, they help nonprofits build stronger organizations while developing more engaged and purpose-driven teams.

This article originally appeared in the Los Angeles Business Journal.