Why Mobile Is Key for Modern CSR Programs & Philanthropists

Having the internet in our pockets everywhere we go is a blessing and a burden. While it’s important to unplug from the world (and work) for at least a few hours every day, there’s no denying that being a few clicks away from the information superhighway can be extremely convenient.

Convenience is one of, if not the most, appealing factors for the modern-day consumer. Ultimately, corporate social responsibility (CSR) representatives and executives are selling a product to their employees. Any tool that makes it easier for these unique consumers to interact with the product (CSR programs) is a win.

Groundswell has one of the highest-rated corporate social responsibility apps on the web, and we take care to prioritize mobile functionality with our CSR platform. What we’ll cover below is how our CSR mobile app can make your life easier.

Table of Contents:

• The Problems with CSR Programs in 2025
• 5 Ways Groundswell’s Mobile App Makes CSR Convenient and Efficient
• Give on the Go with Groundswell

The Problems with CSR Programs in 2025

One of the most pressing problems CSR programs have in the modern era is that employees aren’t engaging with them at significant levels. In fact, many workers are unaware whether their employer even offers donation matching or other CSR initiatives and they don't know how to access programs that may exist. One of the barriers to higher CSR engagement among employees is not using the right digital tools to connect with disaffected workers.

Another problem with CSR programs—especially at small and mid-sized companies—is the mountain of administrative paperwork that can come with them. Groundswell believes there’s no excuse for piling monthly invoices and reconciliations on CSR representatives when technology exists to minimize these administrative burdens.

5 Ways Groundswell’s Mobile App Makes CSR Convenient and Efficient

We could go on and on about how many modern-day CSR platforms from legacy SaaS providers are not meeting the moment, but we value your time. Enough about problems—let’s talk solutions. Here are five reasons Groundswell’s mobile CSR app can increase employee engagement, elevate your company’s charitable initiatives, and help your team effect transformative change.

1. Employees can volunteer and donate on their favorite devices.

Look around your company’s breakroom during lunchtime, and the popularity of smartphones and mobile devices becomes all too clear. 

Nearly 65% of all internet traffic today originates from smartphones. The average American spends more than 20% of their day on mobile phones.

Mobile apps allow company executives and CSR managers to meet employees where they are and they allow employees to give when the mood strikes. The immediacy of mobile phones can reduce friction for workers who may be lukewarm on CSR initiatives in the first place, as they don’t have to go back to their desks and log on to an employee portal. 

2. Volunteer events don’t have to create administrative paperwork after the fact.

On-site volunteerism is a cornerstone of many companies’ CSR programs. These events can include food bank drives, environmental cleanups, home building, and charity runs. 

Not having a comprehensive, easy-to-use mobile app, however, can seriously hamper your ability to keep up with logistics and administrative duties arising from these events.

How many times have you been out in nature, vibing with your coworkers, and started thinking about all the paperwork you’re going to have to do later? Once is too many, because remote volunteer opportunities shouldn’t create burdens. 

No matter where your team finds themselves as they change the world, you can check in with your CSR software, log volunteer hours, and take care of administrative tasks while they’re fresh in your mind.

3. Deskless employees feel connected and included.

Speaking of bonding with your employees, some of them may continually feel excluded or disconnected from their coworkers by virtue of their job duties. This is common among deskless employees and those who may not regularly show up in the office. 

These feelings of being out of the loop contribute to decreased CSR participation rates. If it's complicated for an employee to access a CSR program, they're not going to use it.

With a native app that allows for instant interactions and fosters camaraderie among coworkers, every member of your team can fully participate in CSR initiatives no matter where their work takes them. Fully functional mobile apps also create value for workers who may have irregular hours.

4. CSR participation rates go up. 

Justifying the cost of corporate social responsibility software is difficult without a majority buy-in from your employees. 

When the amount your company is spending on remote CSR apps is nearly equal to the total amount the company gives in an entire year, it’s worth pondering whether or not the CSR programs are even worth doing.

Besides cutting down on fees and providing cost-effective software for smaller businesses, Groundswell concentrates on boosting CSR participation rates. We do that by offering and continually optimizing a native app that’s consistently one of the highest-rated on app marketplaces. 

Through an intuitive design and maximized efficiencies for administrative burdens, Groundswell remains laser-focused on helping CSR reps get their employees involved. 

5. Instant donation matching gets placed front and center.

One of the shortcomings we noticed with CSR platforms from the legacy providers is the lack of instant donation matching and the delays in distribution timelines. Some of the supposedly heavy hitters of the CSR industry take up to 120 days to distribute charitable funds to their intended recipients.

We realize that’s way too long to let crucial donations languish in limbo. The immediacy of charity is one of the most important—and most rewarding—parts of participating in it, which is why Groundswell’s app and desktop software instantly match employee giving. 

Furthermore, every dollar donated through our software gets sent to charities within 24 hours. Effective mobile CSR apps take advantage of the power of instant gratification to maximize donations and employee participation.

Give on the Go with Groundswell’s App

One of the fringe benefits of corporate social responsibility programs is the potential to bring coworkers closer together. That can become less likely when employees become inundated with too many barriers between them and the ability to actually participate in CSR initiatives. 

Mobile apps can break down those barriers and make it easy for workers to engage in bite-sized acts of kindness that, added together, can change the world. 

The team at Groundswell has spent countless hours perfecting our native CSR app that’s available for both iPhone and Android. Users consistently give us five stars because we keep coworkers connected, engaged, and excited. CSR administrators also find that they get to spend much more time doing what they love without the annoying paperwork. 

We’d love to show you around our app sometime. Chat with us at your convenience to book a demo and see why clients have been ditching the clunky legacy CSR apps.