5 Steps for Setting Up a Volunteer Program in Your Company

Employee volunteer programs have proven to be beneficial within companies. Studies have shown that these programs can increase job productivity, boost employee retention and recruitment, and improve workplace morale. Listed below are five key steps in creating an effective volunteer program within your company.

Step 1: Learn What Your Employees Want
It is crucial to include your employees in the first steps of creating a volunteer program. Learn about the nonprofits they are interested in, if they currently volunteer, and the amount of time they are willing to dedicate to volunteering. Including your employees in the early stages will enable them to be more engaged in the program in the future. 

Step 2: Choose an Organization that Aligns with Your Company
When choosing a nonprofit organization to partner with for your volunteer program, you want to choose an organization that aligns with your company’s values, skill sets, and business objectives. 

Step 3: Gain Support from Your Company’s Top Executives
Gaining support from the top executives of your company is critical for the success of your volunteer program. This can be achieved through presenting the benefits of employee volunteer programs to them. Their support and engagement will serve as a guide for other employees. 

Step 4: Make Volunteering Beneficial
Your employees will be less likely to volunteer if they receive no benefits. Some benefits that your company could offer are: paid volunteer time, public recognition through annual ceremonies, gift cards, certificates of appreciation, and more. 

Step 5: Track and Evaluate Your Progress
Tracking the progress of your volunteer program is one way to determine its success. You should keep track of how many employees volunteer, the amount of time donated, the amount of money raised, the number of individuals served, the number of organizations served, and dollar value of the volunteers’ time. This will help you set and achieve future goals for your volunteer program, as well as show the impact of the volunteer program on the community.