5 Effective Ways to Facilitate Giving in the Workplace

In an era of hybrid work arrangements and telework, employers often face uphill battles in fostering employee engagement and camaraderie. To that end, corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs, such as employee volunteering and donating, have received attention. Starting such programs, however, can (understandably) seem like a tall order for executives at mid-sized and smaller companies.

We’re here to tell you that giving in the workplace doesn’t have to be complicated. In fact, you can probably start a workplace giving program more easily and quickly than you may have thought before you started to read this article. Stay with us a little bit longer to get the inside scoop.

Table of Contents:

• Understanding the Parameters of Giving in the Workplace
• Why Invest in Workplace Giving Programs in the First Place?
• 4 Barriers to Effective Workplace Giving Campaigns
• 5 Ways to Facilitate Giving in the Workplace
• Groundswell Eliminates Common Barriers to Workplace Charitable Giving
• Find a Workplace Giving Tool that Doesn’t Create More Work for Everyone

Understanding the Parameters of Giving in the Workplace

What is workplace giving, anyway? First off, know that Groundswell isn’t here to reinvent the wheel. When we refer to workplace giving, we’re referring to programs that involve:

• Companies donating money and other resources to charities and nonprofits
• Employee contributions to charities, which often involve donating a portion of their paychecks or personal funds
• Employers matching employee donations

Why Invest in Workplace Giving Programs in the First Place?

Corporate philanthropy doesn’t just benefit charities and vulnerable people—more often than not, it boosts companies’ bottom lines. 

• When companies have visible CSR programs—including workplace giving initiatives—employee engagement tends to increase. Engaged employees have been shown to be 14% more productive and 78% less likely to have chronic absenteeism rates.
• A solid majority of companies—69%—reported in a survey that sales have increased since instituting CSR programs.
• More than half of workers say they would consider working for socially conscious companies, even if it meant lower pay.

4 Barriers to Effective Workplace Giving Campaigns

So, we’ve convinced you to take a swing at implementing a CSR program at your workplace. We, of course, feel you’ve made the right decision, but it may help you to be aware of some common pitfalls and deficiencies that can sink workplace giving programs.

1. Low awareness. “If you build it, they will come.” Unfortunately, CSR programs rarely materialize that easily. Anyone in sales knows that prospects must hear a message several times before they internalize it, and the same is true for workplace giving. Employees also need to hear about CSR programs from different sources and in varying contexts. 
2. Platforms are too complicated. Too many CSR software providers are not paying attention to the user experience. If your employees, who may already feel pressed for time, don’t feel they have the mental bandwidth to master another platform, they probably won’t make the time.
3. Many workplaces lack the cohesiveness they once had. While plenty of companies have ordered workers to come back to the office, others have continued remote or hybrid work. Those arrangements make it harder for employees to share values or certain experiences with each other.
4. Administrative staff don’t want to (or can’t) navigate piles of paperwork. Companies that don’t have the luxury of in-house CSR representatives may not feel they have the time or personnel to handle monthly invoices, reconciliations, and other time-sucks historically associated with charitable endeavors.

5 Ways to Facilitate Giving in the Workplace

Assuming we haven’t turned you off the idea of giving in the workplace and that you’re still reading, here is some good news: a little preparation before rolling out your CSR programs goes a long way towards success. 

Groundswell has helped countless companies simplify and amplify workplace giving initiatives, and here’s our advice:

1. Offer multiple ways to give.

Allocating a portion of their paychecks to desired causes is a convenient way for many employees to donate, but don’t let the story end there. Some workers might prefer ACH giving systems that save their bank account information for future donations, while others might want to give through their credit card/debit card, appreciated stocks, or tax-advantaged DAFs.

2. Lead by example and secure buy-in from the C-suite. 

Without laying the groundwork for enthusiasm and awareness, workplace giving programs often wither on the vine. Figure out who, exactly, employees get their cues from, and allow them to set the tone for the company. It takes everyone rowing in the same direction for CSR programs to achieve their optimal ROI. 

3. Align giving programs with your company’s mission. 

Based on the industry, some charities are probably natural fits for your employer. Or, your company might have values that gravitate CSR endeavors towards certain nonprofits. Whatever it is, achieving alignment between your company’s image and its giving initiatives is crucial. More than 70 percent of employees agree.

4. Gamify the giving program or offer incentives to encourage participation. 

A little healthy competition between departments is another great way to increase excitement about workplace giving programs. Many companies offer prizes, such as volunteer time off or working half-days on Fridays for one month, to help workers find their giving spirits. As always, consider any restraints or conditions on employee giving amounts or matching gift amounts.

5. Listen to your employees and adjust future workplace giving initiatives accordingly.

Even the most well-thought-out CSR programs need tweaks that become evident after the first round. Take some reassurance that the first charitable drive may not be the best. With an intuitive and flexible CSR platform, you can easily make changes to optimize future workplace giving endeavors.

Groundswell Eliminates Common Barriers to Workplace Charitable Giving

CSR programs work much better when you have the right platform to support whatever it is you want to accomplish. Groundswell was made based on the principle that companies of every size should have access to intuitive, effective software. 

Only Groundswell’s all-in-one platform:

• Has a five-star rated app on iOS and Android to help your employees stay connected with workplace giving programs, no matter their location. 
• Instantly matches employee donations and distributes funds to nonprofits within 24 hours to avoid typical monthly paperwork pileups and 30-90 day distribution delays.
• Places every employee with their own donor-advised funds for maximum tax advantages and flexibility. 

Find a Workplace Giving Tool that Doesn’t Create More Work for Everyone

If you've so much as thought about starting CSR giving programs at your workplace, consider this a sign. Groundswell’s team prioritizes customer service and training protocols to help executives pick up the platform in no time.  

Sign up for a personalized demo to see how helpful workplace giving solutions can be, and start giving as soon as tomorrow.