How to Nurture a Culture of Workplace Giving
As we approach the end of the financial year, it’s a perfect time to turn the spotlight on workplace giving, especially as we celebrate the official month of workplace giving in June. This year, the theme of: ‘Small Change. Big Impact.’ emphasises the remarkable power of collective action, where even small dollar amounts or habits can create a significant effect when embraced by charities and employers alike.
Creating a culture of workplace giving within an organisation goes beyond a single campaign or fundraising initiative. It requires a comprehensive strategy that fosters employee engagement and a shared sense of purpose. Here are some critical steps to nurture a culture of workplace giving:
Lead by example
Workplace giving starts at the top. Leaders within the organisation should actively participate and demonstrate their commitment to giving. Encourage executives to make charitable contributions and engage in volunteer activities. When employees see their leaders embracing philanthropy, they are more likely to follow suit.
Encourage corporate matching
Recent research shows that employees are more likely to donate if the corporate offers matching, and 66% of research respondents reported increasing their donation if their employer matched it.
Provide choice and flexibility
Recognise that employees have diverse interests and passions when it comes to giving back. Offer a range of charitable causes and organisations for employees to support. Allow flexibility in how employees contribute through payroll deductions, one-time donations, or volunteering. The more choices they have, the more likely they are to engage.
Foster a sense of community
Encouraging employees and charities to come together to discuss and present impact counts. Create a sense of community by organising team-building activities around giving back, such as group volunteering or fundraising events. This shared experience strengthens relationships and reinforces the importance of corporate giving.
Recognise and celebrate giving
Regularly acknowledge and celebrate employees’ giving efforts. Implement recognition programs that highlight individuals or teams who have made a significant impact through their contributions. Publicly recognise their efforts through impact reporting, announcements, newsletters, or internal communication platforms.
Measure and communicate outcomes
Establish metrics to measure the impact of workplace giving initiatives. Track and report on key outcomes, such as the amount raised, the number of employees engaged (participation rate), and the impact on the supported causes. Share this information regularly to demonstrate the collective impact the business is making. This data reinforces the importance of workplace giving and encourages continued participation.
Workplace giving holds excellent potential for fundraisers to create lasting partnerships and make a meaningful difference in charitable programs. By nurturing a culture of workplace giving within businesses, fundraisers can unlock the full potential of workplace giving and maximise their impact on the causes they support. Together, fundraisers and companies can create a better world through collective philanthropy.
Our recent research found that:
- 85% of recent employee survey respondents say it is personally important that a company has a workplace giving program in place
- 66% of research respondents reported that they’d increase their donation if their employer matched it
- Almost two-thirds of Australians donate their money to charity making us the 4th most generous country (according to CAF World Giving Index 2022) however, only 1.5% of Australian workers donate via payroll, even though a third have access
- Charities could receive an additional $1 billion annually if employers matched staff donations and employees gave an extra $1 per week
Click here to use the Workplace Giving Month 2023 campaign banners, social media tiles and more resources.