As the world recognizes Giving Tuesday, a global day dedicated to charitable actions bringing together individuals, businesses, and nonprofits, a recent survey reveals a significant upward trend in workplace volunteerism.
The 2024 CSR Insights Survey conducted by the Association of Corporate Citizenship Professionals (ACCP) shows that 77% of corporate respondents experienced an increase in employee participation in volunteer activities this year, marking a notable rise of 16 percentage points from 61% in 2023.
This positive development stands in stark contrast to findings from the Generosity Commission, which indicated a decline in nonprofit donors and volunteers among millions of American households. For instance, while 65.4% of U.S. households donated to nonprofits in 2008, that figure dropped to 49.6% in 2018.
Despite this broader struggle within the nonprofit sector, the ACCP emphasizes the surge in corporate volunteerism as a promising aspect of the volunteering landscape. Carolyn Berkowitz, President and CEO of ACCP, remarked, “Employee volunteerism continues to be an important way that companies align corporate and employee values.” She noted that companies with strong giving and volunteer programs attract employees, leading to increased engagement and satisfaction.
Supporting this sentiment, a recent IBM study found that 70% of job seekers are more likely to pursue and accept positions with socially responsible companies, highlighting the relationship between corporate responsibility and employment appeal.
The ACCP survey additionally revealed that 88% of companies have maintained or increased their employee engagement budgets in 2024 compared to 71% in 2023. Moreover, there has been an increase in employees voicing their expectations regarding corporate social responsibility (CSR) decisions, with 22% of respondents noting this trend, compared to 18% in the previous year.
The survey data reflect insights from the ACCP’s 5th Annual CSR Insights Survey, gathering responses from 125 companies that collectively represent over $1 billion in community investments.
This surge in workplace volunteerism illustrates a growing commitment to social responsibility within the business community, which can positively impact both employees’ morale and the broader society. As companies increasingly recognize the benefits of aligning their missions with employees’ values, the future of corporate volunteerism looks bright.