SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS P.O.V.
Futureproofing Business:
Volunteerism, Employee Engagement and Social Impact
By Stephanie Tonnesen Hornback
April 2, 2025
April marks a monthlong global celebration of volunteerism. For companies, it’s a time to recognize their corporate volunteer initiatives and the impact they have on futureproofing their businesses.
Volunteerism
Volunteerism is both a powerful employee engagement and social impact tool. It fosters increased feelings of personal purpose for workers, as well as a reflection of their employers’ purpose. It strengthens the bonds between companies, their employees and their communities. It promotes the value of working in teams to solve problems. It results in a corporate culture that leads to increased job satisfaction, productivity and retention. It builds thriving communities and ensures future workforce pipelines.
A recent Deloitte survey found that 87 percent of U.S. office professionals said workplace volunteer opportunities are important when considering staying with their current employer or pursuing a work opportunity at a new employer.
At the same time, the need for skilled volunteers has never been greater by the nonprofit community. According to Taproot, 92 percent of nonprofit organizations report a lack of critical resources they need to fulfill their missions.
Yet, a Gallup poll earlier this year found that U.S. employee engagement has sunk to a 10-year low and there is a growing trend of employee detachment from organizations, particularly among workers younger than 35.
Engagement and social impact in Pittsburgh
Here in Pittsburgh, the Covestro Center for Community Engagement at Robert Morris University serves the needs of both corporations and nonprofits when it comes to volunteerism, employee engagement and social impact. The Center’s programs encourage a balance of companies’ focus areas, its employees’ individual skills and the needs of the local community. The employee volunteers help strengthen nonprofits while building their own technical and leadership skills.
While Pittsburgh’s nonprofits are feeling the effects of the current economy and most corporations are dealing with belt tightening to varying degrees, the Covestro Center for Community Engagement’s director, Jaime Simmons, is hopeful.
“The outlook is positive for Pittsburgh. We have a lot of nonprofits that need help. There are many corporations and individuals who are still answering the call,” said Simmons. “The struggle is real, but there are great moments and glimmers of hope with organizations coming together to rally around struggling nonprofits whose work is vital to the Pittsburgh region.”
Simmons specifically pointed to its BoardsWork! and Executive Service Corp programs.
If you are interested in learning more about the programs provided by the Covestro Center for Community Engagement at Robert Morris University, visit: rmu.edu/ccce.
Key insights from the 2025 Points of Light Winter Summit
In March, the Points of Light Foundation convened its Corporate Service Council at the annual winter summit, “Purpose & Progress: Leading the Next Era of Corporate Social Impact.” Following are some key insights that emerged:
- Trust is Harder to Earn: Consumers and employees demand responsible corporate action but remain skeptical of intent. Efforts must be consistent, strategic, genuine and deeply integrated into business priorities.
- Beyond Participation to Purpose: Effective employee volunteer programs move beyond events focused on participation to create purposeful volunteer experiences that empower and inspire employees. Companies must design inclusive programs that remove barriers and create access for harder to reach employees to meet them where they are.
- Volunteering Needs a Rebrand: Companies present a unique opportunity to shift the perception of volunteering from something that is “nice” to “necessary” and increase volunteering at scale. Younger voices, especially Gen Z, are key to shaping the future of volunteering.
- Prove the Value of Volunteering: Companies need stronger data to demonstrate the impact of volunteering on business outcomes, nonprofit organizations and employee volunteers. Proving this value will lead to more effective practices and greater investment in volunteering capacity.
- Loneliness & Disconnection Costs Money: Social isolation is a widespread issue that negatively impacts mental health, economic stability and community well-being. Isolated employees have lower commitment, higher turnover and increased absenteeism.
- Workplace Volunteering is a Solution: Volunteering facilitates social connections, builds empathy and fosters a sense of belonging and purpose. These benefits help employees in the workplace and as more civically engaged members of their community.
Review all the insights here.
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