The Ultimate Glossary of CSR Terms

Corporate social responsibility is a term with many meanings – and it’s only the tip of the iceberg. As more companies analyze how their operations make an impact on the world around them, the CSR landscape becomes more dynamic than ever. Keeping up with all of the terminology and navigating the solutions available to support growing CSR programs is no small feat. That’s why we’ve created this glossary of key CSR terms: to help you get a head start on understanding how you can best achieve your organization’s social impact goals.

Table of Contents:

• Core CSR Terms
• Employee Giving and Gift Matching
• Volunteerism
• Grants Management
• Impact Measurement and Reporting
• Trends in Corporate Philanthropy
• Learn More About Modern Philanthropy & CSR with Groundswell

Core CSR Terms

These terms describe foundational parts of a CSR program or strategy.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

A business approach that integrates social and environmental concerns into company operations. Sometimes also known as “corporate citizenship,” CSR is all about emphasizing accountability and implementing ethical practices with a purpose that goes beyond profit-making.

Companies practicing corporate social responsibility aim to make the world a better place while also minimizing harm to people and the planet.

Corporate Philanthropy

A broad term that refers to a company’s charitable activities, which might include direct financial contributions, grants, employee volunteer support, or in-kind donations. This is often one of the most visible parts of a CSR program.

Corporate Foundation

A legally separate nonprofit entity established and funded by a corporation. This type of private foundation allows companies to maximize their giving potential. 

There are, however, some alternatives to corporate foundations that still enable businesses to build sustainable ways to give back that also align with company values.

Corporate Citizenship

How a company behaves as a member or part of society. The concept of corporate citizenship goes beyond compliance with laws – it also means actively participating in addressing societal challenges and supporting communities. In many cases, corporate citizenship is used interchangeably with CSR.

Corporate Social Investing

A term that describes investments companies make to create a positive social or environmental change, even when those investments don’t directly lead to profits. Social investments are meant to improve the lives of internal and external stakeholders. 

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

An EAP is a workplace benefit program designed to offer employees the support and resources they may need to handle personal or professional challenges. 

EAPs are not strictly CSR initiatives, but they do share a similar goal of supporting employee well-being and helping companies demonstrate their commitment to workforce care.

Employee Assistance Fund (EAF)

Sometimes also known as a hardship fund, an EAF provides financial support to employees who are facing unexpected crises like medical emergencies, natural disasters, or loss of housing. 

Many companies establish an employee assistance fund to demonstrate care for their teams during difficult or unprecedented times.

Employee Giving and Gift Matching

Empowering employees to give to the causes they care about is at the heart of many CSR initiatives.

Corporate Donation Matching (Gift Matching)

A program where a company matches employee donations to eligible nonprofits. Employee gift matching typically happens on a dollar-by-dollar basis, but can vary by ratio. These programs aim to amplify employee generosity and encourage engagement in CSR initiatives. 

Payroll Giving

Allows employees to make charitable donations directly from their paychecks. These contributions are deducted automatically and may be matched by the employer.

Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs)

A charitable giving account that allows individuals and businesses the ability to make tax-deductible contributions to causes that matter to them. These funds can be distributed to charities over time, but donors can still take an immediate tax deduction after contributing.

Employee donor-advised funds, like those offered through Groundswell, give each employee their own personal giving account.

ACH Donations

Automated Clearing House (ACH) donations are electronic transfers of funds from an employee’s bank account directly to a nonprofit.

Workplace Giving Campaign

A coordinated effort by employers to encourage teams to contribute to charitable causes, often during specific times of year or to support a specific organization or disaster relief effort.

Matching Gift Program

A structured corporate giving initiative where companies match employees’ charitable contributions. There may be set annual limits or eligibility requirements for these programs.

Donation Distribution Timeline

The period between when an employee makes a charitable donation and when the nonprofit receives the funds. In other words, the time it takes for donations to reach beneficiaries.

Volunteerism

Within CSR, volunteer activities can be used to attract new employees, build partnerships, and drive engagement.

Employee Volunteer Program

A workplace initiative that provides employees with opportunities to contribute their time and skills to nonprofit organizations. Also known as “corporate volunteer programs” or “employee volunteerism,” these programs are often integrated into broader CSR strategies.

Volunteer Time Off (VTO)

A policy or program that grants employees paid time away from work, specifically for the purpose of volunteering. This benefit helps employers show their support for community engagement and reduces barriers to participation in volunteer programs.

Skills-Based Volunteering

A form of volunteerism that leverages employees’ professional expertise to support nonprofits. For example, an accountant participating in skills-based volunteering might help a nonprofit with their budgeting, or a marketing expert might help the nonprofit launch a new campaign.

Remote Volunteering

An activity that allows employees to contribute their time or skills virtually using a digital platform. Online tutoring sessions, consulting with nonprofits, or contributing to digital projects are just a few examples of remote volunteer opportunities.

Grants Management

Organizations looking to build partnerships and shape their communities for the better can do so through grantmaking.

Corporate Grantmaking

The process by which corporations award funds to nonprofit organizations or community groups for specific programs or projects. Corporate grant management involves everything from program design to application review, fund disbursement, and ongoing reporting.

Strategic Grantmaking

A grantmaking approach that aligns giving with a company’s CSR strategy or values. Instead of distributing funds broadly, companies focusing on strategic grants may prioritize causes that better match their mission or industry.

Employee-Led Grants

Grant programs in which employees play a key role in deciding how corporate funds are distributed. This approach fosters employee ownership and ensures that grantmaking aligns with the organization's overall values.

Impact Measurement and Reporting

These terms refer to tools and techniques CSR leaders can use to measure the value of programs.

Impact Assessment

A systematic evaluation of the outcomes of CSR programs or initiatives. Different impact metrics enable companies to understand how their corporate giving or volunteer programs affect their communities and stakeholders.

ROI of CSR

Return on investment in CSR refers to measuring both tangible benefits (like tax savings or employee retention) and intangible outcomes, like brand reputation or social good.

Impact Investing

Refers to the practice of investing with the intention of generating not only financial returns, but also measurable social or environmental impacts. Companies may use impact investing to better align their portfolios with CSR values.

Social Impact Portfolio

A collection of investments, grants, or programs designed to create beneficial societal outcomes. Social impact portfolios allow companies to see their CSR initiatives from a zoomed-out view and evaluate their total impact. 

Trends in Corporate Philanthropy

There are always new ideas and concepts entering the CSR landscape, including those below.

Digital Giving Platform

Software that enables companies to manage employee donations, volunteer hours, impact reporting, and more in one place. These should streamline administrative tasks and make CSR programs more engaging.

Corporate Purpose

The overarching reason that a company exists beyond profit. This may guide decision-making and help businesses align CSR initiatives with their values.

Giving Tuesday

A global day of generosity celebrated on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. On Giving Tuesday, companies and individuals worldwide donate to nonprofits and give back in record numbers.

Social Impact Software

A tool used to measure, analyze, and communicate the value of CSR programs. Social impact software may also help companies manage and plan their social impact initiatives, like volunteer events or grantmaking.

Employee Resource Group (ERG)

A voluntary, employee-led group formed around shared characteristics or a similar purpose. Employee resource groups often play a role in shaping CSR strategies and activities..

Learn More About Modern Philanthropy & CSR with Groundswell

Having the right language to describe your vision and plans for your CSR programs is only half the battle. You need the right tools to help you plan, track, and report on activities like employee giving and volunteering. 

It’s time to define a new era of corporate philanthropy, one where accessibility and simplicity are key. With a mobile-facing platform like Groundswell, you can put the power to make a difference right in your employees’ pockets.

To learn more about Groundswell’s all-in-one corporate social responsibility platform, book a demo with our team today.