Business Case
Every company gauges their business investments by totalling up the returns. But when it comes to social or environmental investments the same rigours don't necessarily apply. The result? Community investments that aren't working as hard as they could be. However, with the field of corporate social responsibility maturing worldwide, this is beginning to change.
Investing in communities effectively and efficiently
By sponsoring volunteering, a few leading companies around the world (Walt Disney, Proctor and Gamble, Fluor, Chase Manhattan Bank and Whitbread Brewery) and in Australia (Westpac, American Express and The Body Shop) are getting better results for their community dollar. The advantages over traditional community investments such as cash donations, donations in kind, or donations of equipment, include:Visibility – your company's community investments have to be noticed if they're going to enhance your relationships with the public, customers and staff. Staff volunteer teams allow companies to engage with community organisations and stakeholders – indeed staff volunteer projects are often newsworthy.
Team Building – your corporate volunteering projects can be tailored to improve how different company teams work together – while at the same investing in the community.
Staff Training – if your staff need to brush up on interpersonal or other skills, corporate volunteering can be a cost-effective way to improve staff competencies while doing something great for the community. Through corporate volunteering, staff from Westpac have improved their communication skills and social awareness – read more.
Not sure how to find the right volunteering opportunities for your company?
Our Corporate Volunteering Program's four components are aimed at assisting companies to get the best possible results from corporate volunteering. Find out how The Centre for Volunteering can help you: