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New York Cares

Meets pressing community needs by mobilizing caring New Yorkers in volunteer service.

Why Companies Volunteer

The time and resources that companies offer are critical to meeting the pressing needs of our community. But corporate volunteering isn’t just a one-way street. Studies have shown that volunteering has measurable value beyond the satisfaction of making a difference.

  • 73% of employees wish their companies would do more to support a social or environmental cause or issue.
  • Three out of four employees want to get involved with their company’s cause-related efforts through company-sponsored days of service.
  • The second most important driver of employee engagement in the United States is an organization’s reputation in the community.
  • Companies with the highest levels of employee engagement see more than a 19% average annual increase in their operating income.

Benefits of Corporate Volunteering

Leadership & Skills Development

Working together to tackle community issues in new and unique settings tests employees’ adaptability and problem solving abilities. According to surveys, more than 80% of professionals said they developed leadership skills as a result of their volunteer experience, and three in four think companies should use volunteering as a professional development tool.

Team Building

Volunteering promotes trust and camaraderie by building a sense of community among employees as they work toward a common goal. Among corporate volunteer managers, 97% report that service builds teamwork internally. And volunteers think so too: 78% of say engaging in service improved their communications skills.

Loyalty & Retention

Beyond financial compensation, employees are motivated by intrinsic factors such as self-esteem and recognition. Studies show that employees involved in company cause programs are 28% more likely to be proud of their company’s values, and 36% more likely to feel a strong sense of loyalty. This, in turn, can lead to improved job performance and lower turnover.

Employee Recruitment

Today’s top young talent considers corporate volunteer programs a significant priority when evaluating potential jobs. Nearly two-thirds of young professionals say they would prefer to work for a company that provides opportunities to serve the community with their skills, and more than half said they would consider a lesser role or lower wage if they were certain they could contribute more to society.

Improved Public Reputation

A good reputation is increasingly linked to bottom line benefits such as improved sales and employee productivity. One survey identified corporate citizenship as one of the top drivers of reputation, and corporate service can build brand awareness, affinity, trust, and loyalty among customers. In fact, 85% of consumers have a more positive image of a product or company when it supports a cause they care about.

Stronger Community

Companies are essential to creating meaningful change because they have resources governments and nonprofits do not. Your company plays a critical role in building community, which benefits everyone—including you. Stronger communities result in more robust markets and a deeper pool of workforce talent. Furthermore, 79% of Americans prioritized companies that supported local causes when deciding who they want to see doing business in their communities.