What is the difference between your business and the most high-profile businesses in the world? If you’re without an employee volunteer program, one of those differences might be that the best businesses volunteer!
4 Reasons the Best Businesses Volunteer
1. Salesforce: Salesforce is a serious supporter of volunteering. Every year, they offer employees up to 48 hours of paid time off for volunteering. Salesforce uses a 1-1-1 philanthropy model, which means that the company pledges to leverage 1% of employee time, technology and resources to give back to communities around the world. That investment in volunteering has led to donations to programs, over $80 million in grants and over 1,000,000 volunteer hours. Why does Salesforce believe so strongly in giving back? The company believes that volunteer time off, or VTO, makes communities stronger and empowers employees to do good in the world around them.
2. Colgate: This dental care giant holds caring as one of its core values, which trickles down to an employee-level. Every year, the company organizes Colgate Cares Day. Teams throughout the world give back to local service products and community programs to make the world a happier and healthier place. Colgate believes that equipping employees with the tools to give back and volunteer helps to strengthen the communities that they serve and demonstrate their values at every level of the organization.
3. 3M: As a leader in innovation and office supplies, 3M has a unique program called 3Mgives to support increased interest in STEM and develop the scientists and tech leaders of tomorrow. 3M believes that the best business volunteer because vibrant communities require everyone to be giving back, not just non-profits or small businesses.
4. Patagonia: This outdoors-focused company believes that helping employees understand the beauty of nature and national parks firsthand will lead to better employees. Patagonia offers numerous ways for employees to give back through environmental work, including sponsoring 55 employees to travel to Chile to help open Chile’s newest national park. Every year, the company celebrates Bike to Work Week in June and encourages employees to participate.
Strengthen Your Company with Business Volunteers Maryland
Business Volunteers Maryland is a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening the community by creating strategic connections between businesses, nonprofits and individuals. We help companies like yours to establish and expand community impact efforts while achieving your business goals. To learn more about our services and learn more about volunteering as a team, contact us by calling (410) 366-6030.