How Companies Encourage Employees to Give Back: 14 Examples & Initiatives
Companies are increasingly recognizing the importance of corporate social responsibility and employee engagement in charitable activities. We asked industry experts to share how their companies encourage employees to give back to their communities. Discover company-wide initiatives that demonstrate how businesses are making a positive impact while fostering a culture of philanthropy among their employees.
- Giveback Sprints Transform Charity into Results
- Skills-Based Volunteering Creates Mutual Value
- Pro Bono PR Days Empower Women-Led Initiatives
- Link-Building Expertise Boosts Nonprofit Visibility
- Annual Charity Day Unites Employees
- Health Awareness Drive Serves Community Needs
- Volunteer Days Strengthen Team and Purpose
- Writing Supplies Program Sparks Student Creativity
- Day of Service Bonds Team
- Paid Volunteer Time-Off Expands Community Impact
- Diverse Initiatives Foster Ongoing Community Engagement
- Fundraising Competitions Make Philanthropy Fun
- Targeted Charitable Events Align with Values
- Employee-Led Service Day Reinforces Community Culture
Giveback Sprints Transform Charity into Results
Every quarter, we have a “Giveback Sprint” on a Friday. Rather than pushing features, each team collaborates with a public school or organization in the area to deliver one tangible asset in a day, such as an explainer film, an onboarding microsite, or a basic automation for routine administrative tasks. We handle it similarly to a release: with a stated scope, a clear owner, a success metric, and a demo at the end of the day. We pre-screen partners, establish a “time tithe” (paid hours on the clock), and pay for any tangible expenses to make participation simple. To help groups continue to use what we created without having to deal with procurement hassles, we now provide “Community Credits.”
As an example, our design and video teams recently collaborated with a youth arts nonprofit to create a one-page sign-up flow and a 60-second enrollment explainer.
Staff reported saving several hours per week by not having to answer the same questions, and program registrations increased by approximately 25% in just six weeks. Internally, the sprint increased engagement more than any offsite, retention among regular volunteers exceeded the business norm, eNPS increased, and participation remained above 70%. Additionally, it aided in hiring; prospects cite Giveback demos as a reason for applying due to the tangible and local nature of the job.
The reason it works is that we put charity on the roadmap, with owners and results, rather than tacking it on to weekends. This regard for people’s time transforms “good intentions” into completed projects that the community can use.
Jun Zhu
Founder, Vidu AI
Skills-Based Volunteering Creates Mutual Value
Skills-based volunteering with flexible time allocation has become our most effective approach to community engagement — specifically, allowing employees to contribute their professional expertise to local nonprofits during work hours while choosing causes that align with their personal values.
Our Implementation:
Each employee receives 16 hours annually of paid volunteer time that they can use for community service, but we encourage skills-based contributions rather than general volunteer work. Marketing team members help nonprofits with digital strategy, operations staff assist with process improvements, and finance professionals provide budgeting support.
Specific Company-Wide Initiative:
We partnered with three local educational nonprofits for our annual “Skills Share Week” where different departments rotate through organizations providing specialized assistance. Our marketing team developed social media strategies for a literacy program, operations staff streamlined volunteer coordination systems, and our customer service team trained nonprofit staff on donor communication best practices.
Why This Approach Works:
Skills-based volunteering creates deeper impact than traditional community service because employees contribute expertise that nonprofits couldn’t otherwise afford while developing professional skills in new contexts. Employees feel more engaged because their contributions create meaningful organizational improvements.
Measurable Community Impact:
The three partner organizations reported a 34% improvement in operational efficiency, a 67% increase in social media engagement, and successful implementation of donor retention strategies that increased recurring donations. These tangible outcomes demonstrate genuine community value creation.
Organizational Benefits:
The initiative strengthens team collaboration, develops leadership skills in low-risk environments, and enhances company reputation within the local business community. Employees often return with fresh perspectives on process improvement and customer service approaches.
Key Success Element:
Matching employee skills with nonprofit needs creates mutual value rather than just charitable obligation, leading to sustained engagement and meaningful impact for community organizations.
Raj Baruah
Co Founder, VoiceAIWrapper
Pro Bono PR Days Empower Women-Led Initiatives
We encourage giving back by tying it directly to our mission of visibility and empowerment. Employees are supported in dedicating time each quarter to mentor female founders, contribute expertise to nonprofit initiatives, or volunteer for local organizations that align with our values.
One example of a company-wide initiative is our pro bono PR days, where the team collectively works on campaigns for women-led nonprofits and startups that wouldn’t otherwise have access to strategic communications support. These days not only allow us to make a tangible difference in the community, but also remind our team why our skills matter beyond client contracts. It strengthens our culture, builds purpose, and connects us to something bigger than ourselves.
Kristin Marquet
Founder & Creative Director, Marquet Media
Link-Building Expertise Boosts Nonprofit Visibility
We encourage giving back by aligning it with what we do best: creating visibility. Our philosophy is that if we can make brands visible online, we can also use those same skills to spotlight causes that often go unheard. One initiative we launched was dedicating team hours each quarter to help nonprofits with link-building and SEO strategy at no cost. The impact mirrors what we’ve seen in our client work. For example, a health website we partnered with grew from zero visibility to more than 10,000 monthly visitors in just months once we applied targeted link-building. When you apply the same framework to a nonprofit, it doesn’t just raise awareness — it attracts donations, volunteers, and real-world change.
What makes this powerful is that employees see their expertise directly lifting causes they care about. It’s not a “charity day” checkbox; it’s a skill-based contribution with measurable outcomes. By tying back to professional strengths, the team feels more ownership, and the results are more sustainable than writing a check. That’s the model I’d challenge other companies to adopt: don’t just give back, embed giving into what you’re already great at.
Alejandro Meyerhans
CEO, Get Me Links
Annual Charity Day Unites Employees
We believe in the importance of giving back to the community. To encourage our employees to participate in community service, we organize regular volunteer opportunities and donation drives. One of our successful company-wide initiatives is our annual Charity Day, where employees unite to support a local charity or community organization. Last year, we partnered with a children’s shelter and organized a day of fun activities, including games, arts and crafts, and a fundraising drive that united our team and made a meaningful impact. This tradition not only benefits the community but also strengthens team spirit.
Jack Nguyen
CEO, InCorp Vietnam
Health Awareness Drive Serves Community Needs
In our company, one of the things we always do is give back to the community. I firmly believe that supporting the community where you have your business is very important, especially for our healthcare company, whose main responsibility is serving and saving our clients. I always encourage my team to participate in local health and wellness activities by providing paid volunteer days. By doing this, we can contribute to the community with a meaningful purpose while my team enjoys it.
One example of our contribution is our annual health awareness drive, where our entire team comes together to provide free wellness checks and health education to communities that lack healthcare resources. This is also a way for my team to use their skills more meaningfully. One of my goals in organizing events like this is not only to help people but also to bring my team closer together by sharing time helping those in need. These kinds of efforts have created a strong connection between our company and our community, and we will continue to do more things that can help many people.
Blaz Korosec
CEO, Medical Director Co.
Volunteer Days Strengthen Team and Purpose
Our company encourages employees to give back by making community involvement part of our culture, not just a one-off activity. We organize volunteer days where the whole team steps away from regular work to support local causes. For example, we recently partnered with a local shelter to provide both donations and hands-on help. It not only benefited the community but also strengthened our team spirit and sense of purpose.
Cordon Lam
Director and Co-Founder, Populis Digital
Writing Supplies Program Sparks Student Creativity
We believe in meaningful community engagement by supporting local schools and education programs. Our team actively participates in our giving initiatives, with our flagship program focusing on providing premium writing supplies and notebooks to student workshops throughout the region. This effort helps young people connect with handwriting and creativity in an increasingly digital world.
This contribution might seem straightforward, but it creates genuine impact both internally and externally. Our employees take pride in these initiatives, and we’ve seen how these simple tools spark creativity in students. It’s a constant reminder that our business purpose extends well beyond our bottom line.
Trond Nyland
CEO & Owner, Tudos.no AS
Day of Service Bonds Team
We provide our team with opportunities to volunteer, donate, and support causes they care about. For example, our recent company-wide initiative involved a Day of Service, where employees across all departments stepped away from their desks to volunteer at local charities, schools, and community centers. It was a chance to strengthen our bond as a team while making a real impact in the community.
Sayem Ibn Kashem
Founder, FacileWay
Paid Volunteer Time-Off Expands Community Impact
The single most popular approach that major employers are taking to encourage employees to give back to the community can be found in the introduction of paid volunteer time-off (VTO) programs.
These initiatives, which have been deployed by brands like Salesforce and Johnson & Johnson, allow workers to take time out of work with full pay to embark on the volunteer programs of their choice.
The benefits of VTO programs are that companies get to expand their community-focused initiatives while employees have the opportunity to get up close and personal with causes that are close to their hearts.
Although VTO programs have become highly popular and successful community-led initiatives in recent times, the loss of employee hours can make the strategy more difficult for smaller teams. If you need workers in-house at all times, a strong alternative is a matching gift program, which doubles employee donations to eligible nonprofits, helping to double the amount given to good causes.
Matthew Crook
General Manager, PeopleHR
Diverse Initiatives Foster Ongoing Community Engagement
At our company, we encourage our employees to get involved in several meaningful and easy ways. One way we do this is by offering volunteer days. Every employee can take paid time off to spend a day working with a cause they care about. It could be a local school, a food bank, or an environmental project. We want everyone to feel that their effort makes a difference.
We also organize company-wide initiatives. These bring the entire team together for a purpose. For example, last year we ran a donation drive to support underprivileged families in our area. Employees helped collect essential items like food, clothing, and school supplies. It was not just about giving things but giving time and effort. Many of our team members volunteered to help pack and distribute the donations themselves. It was a hands-on experience that brought us closer to the community and to each other.
We’ve also supported environmental efforts, such as tree planting and cleanup drives. Employees have brought their families along, which gave them a shared experience beyond just the workplace.
The key is to make community work part of our culture. It’s not a one-time activity. We see it as an ongoing responsibility where small efforts add up to a larger impact. Employees know that their contributions matter, and the company supports them every step of the way. All these efforts benefit the community and promote strong teamwork.
Mukul Singh
Founder | Website Expert, Digital4design
Fundraising Competitions Make Philanthropy Fun
At Softjourn, we actively encourage employees to give back to the community in ways that are both meaningful and fun. Giving is built into our culture, and we offer a variety of company-wide initiatives that let people participate however they feel most comfortable, whether it’s donating time, money, or talent.
One example is our internal fundraising competitions, where different teams challenge each other to raise money for causes they care about. This brings out everyone’s creativity and makes philanthropy a team effort. We’ve also held raffles of company gear to raise funds, and we have a unique program where employees paint canvases or design creative items, which are then sold to raise money for charity.
Another ongoing initiative is our donation matching program. If an employee donates to a verified charity of their choice, the company matches that donation, effectively doubling the impact. For those who prefer hands-on giving, we support volunteering in community projects, especially ones employees are personally passionate about, by offering flexibility and sometimes even covering the cost of supplies.
Sergiy Fitsak
Managing Director, Fintech Expert, Softjourn
Targeted Charitable Events Align with Values
Our firm actively encourages community involvement through a variety of targeted initiatives that align with our values. We sponsor several charitable events throughout the year, including:
- A backpack drive
- Covering adoption fees at the SPCA
- Hosting an annual fundraiser for MS
- Participating in programs such as the Casey Anderson Feldman Foundation to End Distracted Driving
- And more
We also organize special programs to support military families. Each event has strong participation from employees, and the community appreciates our support.
Paul Hernandez
Attorney/President, Kalfus & Nachman PC
Employee-Led Service Day Reinforces Community Culture
We promote service, in part by providing paid time off for employees to volunteer, and we have embraced employee-led initiatives for service in our community.
For example, we recently held a company-wide day of service. On this day, teams partnered with local nonprofit organizations to support causes that included food security, youth education, and environmental cleanup. The experience provided a meaningful way to serve together while reinforcing our culture of community.
Sanjay Chauhan
CTO, T3Planet
