The CorpsGiving Foundation engages in research programs regarding the impact of corporate social responsibility and corporate engagement in the community.
JOIN OUR RESEARCH PROJECT
In 2025, CorpsGiving and Realized Worth are starting a deep dive into the broader market and opportunities of CSR and Corporate Volunteering. Much has been said about why companies should engage in employee volunteering. We will focus on the opportunities for service providers to help companies do better by trying to assess the total addressable market of the facilitated volunteering, barriers to growth for professional volunteer organizations, the use of internal champions to grow participation and how mjuch of the work is outsourced to vendors versus home-grown.
If you would like to participate in the study, please fill out our contact form. We will be releasing the results on this site and via presentations together with Realized Worth.
RECENT Volunteer NEWS:
Growth in Volunteering Participation
Between September 2022 and September 2023, formal volunteering in the U.S. rebounded to 28.3% of the population aged 16 and over, totaling approximately 75.7 million individuals. This marks a return to pre-pandemic levels, reflecting a renewed commitment to community engagement. Census.gov
Globally, corporate volunteerism has seen a substantial rise. A report by Benevity revealed a 57% year-over-year increase in global employee volunteering participation, with the average participation rate climbing to 9.2% from the previous year's 5.9%. Benevity.com
Health and Well-being Benefits
Volunteering is linked to numerous health advantages. A study from Washington University in St. Louis found that even minimal volunteer activity is associated with slower biological aging for both retirees and working individuals. source.washu.edu
Additionally, research indicates that those who volunteer experience lower mortality rates, greater functional ability, and reduced rates of depression later in life. americorps.gov
Impact of Corporate Volunteer Programs
Corporate volunteering initiatives not only benefit communities but also enhance employee satisfaction and organizational culture. Deloitte's 2024 survey revealed that 56% of employees felt increased fulfillment and purpose through workplace volunteer opportunities, 55% reported strengthened community connections, and 52% experienced improved morale and teamwork. probonoinst.org
Challenges and Opportunities
Despite these positive trends, challenges persist. Nonprofit organizations report that while volunteer engagement is more crucial than ever, attracting and retaining volunteers has become increasingly difficult. dogood.umd.edu
Furthermore, a report by the Generosity Commission highlights a decline in the number of individuals donating and volunteering, emphasizing the need for renewed efforts to foster civic participation. vox.com
In response, innovative solutions are emerging. Platforms like OnHand, dubbed the "Netflix of volunteering," simplify corporate charity work by providing apps that enable employees to easily find and participate in local volunteering opportunities, thereby increasing engagement and social impact. ft.com