Ask a CSR Friend: How Can Companies Understand What Employees Care About—Beyond Surveys?
Looking for CSR advice?
Hear from our experts right here in our Ask a CSR Friend monthly column.
Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned pro, we know collaboration is key to creating vibrant workplaces where employees are equipped to contribute to the communities and causes they care about. So, when you need a trusted advisor to lean on, rely on Points of Light to be Your CSR Friend. Each month, our experts share their wisdom and wit to address a specific but often universal challenge related to your work as a corporate social impact practitioner.
Have questions about employee community engagement? Submit your question and it may be featured in a future blog post.
Dear CSR Friend,
We want our social impact strategy to reflect what employees genuinely care about, but adding another survey isn’t the answer—and we know surveys only capture part of the picture. What other ways can I help my company to understand employee priorities, and how can existing data be translated into something useful?
Signed,
Looking Beyond the Survey in Las Vegas
Dear Looking Beyond the Survey,
You’re right—surveys are useful, but they’re just one snapshot in time. What often tells a more accurate story is employee behavior: where people give, how they volunteer and which causes consistently show up across your systems.
The good news? Most companies already have this information. The key is knowing where to look, and how to connect it.
[interrupter id=”1″]
Before adding new tools, start with existing employee touchpoints. The signals you’ll learn from these touchpoints tend to be more authentic because they reflect real commitment of time, money or leadership.
Volunteer Recruitment and Participation Data
What it reveals:
Which opportunities fill fastest or always have a waiting list
How to use it: Compare opportunities offered with actual participation. High engagement signals where to deepen partnerships or scale programming.
Matching Gift and Giving Data
What it reveals:
Cause areas employees personally support
Nonprofits receiving repeat gifts
Issues employees prioritize outside of formal campaigns
How to use it: Group supported nonprofits by cause area and track trends over time. Consistent patterns often point to shared employee values.
Recognition Programs and Employee Stories
What it reveals:
Causes employees celebrate in internal posts or submissions for recognition awards
Values that resonate most across teams
How to use it: Track recognition entries by cause or theme to identify patterns that can inform both CSR focus areas and storytelling.
Employee-Driven Nonprofit Board Service and Community Leadership Participation
What it reveals:
Causes employees care about deeply enough to lead
Organizations where employees have strategic influence
How to use it: Encourage voluntary disclosure of board service or track public announcements. These cause areas and organizations may be strong candidates for creative partnerships or more in-depth opportunities like skills-based volunteering.
Turn Insight into Action
Data is only valuable if it informs decisions. Look for trends across multiple sources, revisit them regularly and use insights to guide partnerships, program design and communications. Just as important, close the loop by showing employees how their engagement is shaping your strategy.
Surveys tell you what employees say they care about. Behavior shows you where they’re already invested. When companies listen to both, they build CSR programs that feel
, impact is built on a 15-year promise to “show up, give back and repeat.” This mindset is exactly what has defined their signature Service Day initiative for the last 15 years.
What started in 2011 as an employee-driven effort to translate a corporate mission into hands-on impact has blossomed into one of the nation’s most recognized corporate volunteer programs. Today, Blue Cross doesn’t just participate in community service; they set the standard for what a high-impact employee volunteering program looks like.
Engagement By the Numbers
82% Volunteer Rate: While the national corporate average hovers around 20%, Blue Cross consistently sees more than four times that engagement.
$12 Million Invested: Since its inception, the program has driven massive community investment through direct labor and financial contributions.
45,000 Acts of Service: From packing kits to virtual consulting, the scale of impact is immense and the cause areas diverse.
This is a culture that prioritizes frontline employee engagement and has seen results in action. Through the BlueCrew Leadership Council, more than100 colleagues participate in year-round civic leadership development, ensuring that when Service Day arrives, the projects are led by passionate, trained internal stakeholders.
Trust-Based Philanthropy in Action
At the heart of Blue Cross’s strategy is a commitment to trust-based philanthropy. This means moving away from traditional charity and toward long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships where nonprofit voices lead the way. For example, their 15-year partnership with
has resulted in over 135,000 essential kits for children.
“Through critical funding and volunteer support, Blue Cross fuels our mission to ensure that children in our community have the basic essentials they need to thrive at home and in school—including warm winter coats and backpacks.”
— Alicia Kabir, executive director of Cradles to Crayons Massachusetts
, Blue Cross ensures its efforts contribute to truly sustainable communities. Rather than imposing a pre-set agenda, this approach allows nonprofits to define their own metrics for success, ensuring that volunteer hours and resources are directed toward the most urgent local needs, like food insecurity or youth mentorship.
Innovation and Inclusivity
As the landscape of volunteering has changed, Blue Cross has changed with it. To ensure every employee can “show up,” they’ve pioneered a hybrid volunteering model. Whether it’s community-based work, in-office building projects or virtual, skills-based volunteering, the program is designed to be inclusive of geography, mobility and schedule.
As Blue Cross celebrates its 15th anniversary of Service Day, the theme remains: Show Up. Give Back. Repeat. The future holds even deeper integration of digital service and an expanded geographic reach, maintaining their status as a national leader in the healthcare sector and a perennial honoree on
Success stories like Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts don’t happen in a vacuum. They’re fueled by a network of peers and resources that help CSR leaders navigate the complexities of modern social impact.
If your company is looking to build a program with this kind of longevity and impact, consider the
l, which provides the tools, research and peer-to-peer connections necessary to turn something like a single day of service into a year-round engine for change.
Ask a CSR Friend: Building a Culture of Service by Keeping Volunteering Going Year-Round
Looking for CSR advice?
Hear from our experts right here in our Ask a CSR Friend monthly column.
Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned pro, we know collaboration is key to creating vibrant workplaces where employees are equipped to contribute to the communities and causes they care about. So, when you need a trusted advisor to lean on, rely on Points of Light to be Your CSR Friend. Each month, our experts share their wisdom and wit to address a specific but often universal challenge related to your work as a corporate social impact practitioner.
Have questions about employee community engagement? Submit your question and it may be featured in a future blog post.
Dear CSR Friend,
Every year, interest and engagement for employee volunteering spikes around Giving Tuesday and runs through the holidays. Then, it drops off fast in January. We go from full calendars, an inbox full of team volunteer photos, and a ton of enthusiasm to…crickets!
I know our nonprofit partners need consistent, reliable support all year long (and frankly, so do the communities they serve). But it’s hard to maintain momentum when employees feel busy, stretched, and “tapped out” after year-end.
How can I keep volunteering from constantly being seen as a seasonal campaign, and instead build a culture of service that employees talk about, celebrate and sustain throughout the year?
Signed,
Seasonal in St. Louis
Dear Seasonal in St. Louis,
The end of the year is full of “service moments” and the start of the year is full of “service gaps.” And yet, the Giving Tuesday surge is proof that people want to show up when the invitation is clear and the energy is contagious. In 2025, Benevity
also showed growth in participation — including millions of people who volunteered.
[interrupter id=”1″]
The opportunity for CSR leaders is to treat Giving Tuesday as a spark, not the whole fire. Culture is what keeps it burning: visibility, recognition, storytelling, and an easy on-ramp for employees to keep showing up in ways that fit their lives.
The Bottom Line: Four Ways to Keep Volunteer Engagement Going Year-Round
1. Make Service Visible
If service only shows up in December recaps, employees will subconsciously categorize it as a “holiday thing.” Photos (and short captions) help service feel social, real and repeatable, and they reinforce that volunteering is part of your company’s identity year-round.
Create a monthly “Moments of Service” collage for internal channels (not just the holiday newsletter).
Add a simple prompt: “What did you do, who did it help, and what stuck with you?”
Invite team leaders to repost and tag their teams to normalize participation.
2. Reward and Recognize Behaviors You Want Repeated
Recognition isn’t fluff, it’s a retention strategy. When employees see that service is noticed and valued, they’re more likely to make time for it again.
Add a recurring “Volunteer Shout-Out” in all-hands meetings or internal newsletters.
Recognize different types of contribution: first-timers, team captains, skills-based volunteers, and behind-the-scenes organizers.
Celebrate informal helping too (mentoring, meal trains, neighborhood support) so people see service as bigger than one event.
3. Move from Hours to Meaning
If you want year-round participation, you need year-round meaning. Stories help employees connect effort to impact and they help peers picture themselves doing the same.
Use a simple three-question story capture: What did you do? Who benefited? What changed (for them or for you)?
Rotate formats so it stays fresh: short quotes, quick videos, a “story of the month,” or an internal “impact wall.”
Give teams permission to be honest: it’s okay to get something out of volunteering (connection, pride, perspective).
4. Make January a Launchpad, Not a Drop-Off
One of the best ways to avoid the January slump is to plan your year like a playlist, not a single hit song. Build a steady rhythm with multiple entry points and set expectations so people can participate without burning out.
Create a 12-month “menu” of opportunities: recurring shifts, pop-up projects, and skills-based options.
Offer a “choose your cadence” approach (1 hour/month, 1 project/quarter, or 1 team day/year).
Provide a variety of experiences by varying causes and formats to keep energy high and prevent burnout.
Schedule a January re-entry moment: a New Year of Service kickoff with easy sign-ups and clear next steps.
If Giving Tuesday shows what’s possible when the world “lights up,” year-round culture is what keeps the lights on. Make service visible, celebrate it often, tell the impact stories, and plan a steady cadence that fits your employee’s lives year-round. That’s how volunteering becomes a habit and not just a season.
Until next time,
Your
®, an initiative of Points of Light, comes in, supporting corporate social responsibility teams through trusted benchmarking, measurement of key metrics, and connection to other leading CSR teams.
Now in its 14th year,
The Civic 50 recognizes the 50 most community-minded companies in the United States
, setting the standard for what high-quality corporate social impact really looks like. More than an award, it’s a roadmap, a measurement tool, and an annual pulse check for companies that want to lead with purpose.
If you’ve been debating whether to take the survey this year, this list might make the decision much easier.
1. Get Unmatched CSR Benchmarking to Strengthen Your Social Impact Strategy
Keyword focus: CSR benchmarking, corporate social impact strategy
One of the biggest challenges CSR leaders face is proving what’s working and identifying what’s not. Every company that completes
The Civic 50 survey receives a complimentary benchmarking scorecard
, offering a clear picture of how your programs compare to other purpose-driven companies.
With the latest updates, this year’s scorecard goes deeper than ever, helping CSR teams:
Identify gaps and growth opportunities
Strengthen employee volunteering and community engagement strategies
Set informed priorities for the year ahead
Demonstrate ROI to executives and stakeholders
Whether you’re refining a mature social impact program or building structure into a growing one, the benchmarking insights serve as a powerful planning and evaluation tool.
2. A Streamlined, More Actionable Survey Experience
CSR leaders don’t exactly have extra hours in their week and this survey gets that. The newly redesigned Civic 50 survey includes
simplified questions focused on practical, actionable insights
across employee volunteering, giving, and community engagement.
The streamlined approach gives you:
A faster completion experience
Questions aligned with the work CSR teams actually manage
Data you can turn into immediate improvements
It’s not a heavy lift and the return on that investment of time is significant.
3. Gain Access to Expanded Recognition Opportunities
Even if your company doesn’t land in the top 50 (yet!), participating gives you access to
more than 10 newly added award categories
. These spotlight innovative programs, exceptional CSR leaders, and standout impact practices across the sector.
This means companies at any stage of their journey can be recognized for excellence in corporate citizenship, even if they are not a The Civic 50 honoree.
Recognition matters. It improves visibility, boosts employer brand reputation, and reinforces your company’s commitment to community impact.
4. Elevate Your Company’s Purpose Narrative with Stakeholders
When companies participate in The Civic 50, they’re signaling something important:
We take our role in the community seriously.
For senior leaders, communications teams, and external stakeholders, the survey becomes a platform to:
Demonstrate company-wide commitment to social and community issues
Showcase leadership in corporate social impact
Strengthen trust with investors, employees, partners, and consumers
The Civic 50 is widely recognized across the corporate and nonprofit sectors, appearing on this list, or even participating in the process, strengthens your credibility as a purpose-driven brand.
5. Empower HR to Attract and Retain Purpose-Driven Talent
Employee expectations have shifted. Workers, especially younger professionals, want to be part of organizations that live their values. Participation in The Civic 50 helps HR teams:
Highlight authentic social impact programs during recruitment
Drive employee pride in the company
Increase engagement through meaningful volunteering and giving opportunities
Quantify and communicate the value of purpose at work
CSR and HR are increasingly interconnected. The survey’s insights support both teams in building a workplace where employees feel connected to something bigger.
6. Celebrate and Validate the Work Your Employees Already Do
CSR work is often behind the scenes, powered by internal champions who don’t ask for the spotlight. Participating in The Civic 50 is a moment to celebrate their contributions—whether through volunteering, community partnerships, or innovative impact projects.
Employees love seeing their company recognized for doing good. It reinforces their efforts, builds community pride, and strengthens long-term engagement.
7. It’s Free, Confidential, and Comes With Real Value…Plus a Conference Bonus
A rare combination in the CSR world: there is no cost to participate.
Here’s what you get simply for completing the survey:
A complimentary benchmarking scorecard
Eligibility for all awards (not just the top 50)
A confidential evaluation—only honorees are publicly named
Understand how leading organizations build impactful programs
Gain recognition for social impact work
Strengthen their employer brand and stakeholder trust
Whether you’re a Fortune 500 company or a rapidly growing organization, the survey is built to meet you where you are.
Final Thoughts: The Civic 50 Is More Than Recognition. It’s a Strategic Advantage
CSR leaders often juggle competing priorities, limited budgets, and soaring expectations.
The Civic 50 survey offers a clear, practical way to evaluate your impact, benchmark against national leaders, and showcase meaningful work happening across your company.
If your team is committed to deeper impact, smarter strategy, and stronger community engagement,
Going to nonprofit conferences is one of the best ways to keep up in the changing world of social impact. Whether you lead a nonprofit organization, coordinate volunteers, raise funds or work in CSR, these events provide useful insights. They also offer networking opportunities and tools to help you grow your mission.
Here are some of the most impactful nonprofit conferences to consider in 2026:
The Points of Light Conference is our flagship event, bringing together nonprofit professionals, corporate leaders, educators, government officials and civic innovators from around the world. Focused on advancing volunteerism and civic engagement, the conference offers more than 70 sessions, hands-on workshops and networking opportunities designed to inspire action and strengthen communities. We may be a little biased, but in a 2025 comparison of similar nonprofit leadership conferences, ours stood out for offering the best value in terms of session volume, cross-sector collaboration and practical takeaways. It’s a space where ideas are exchanged, partnerships are formed and real-world impact begins.
The Corporate Volunteering Summit for Nonprofits is the Double the Donation team’s premier event dedicated to unlocking new revenue streams and long-term value through corporate volunteerism. As a fully virtual experience, it delivers high-impact strategy prioritizing the financial ROI of volunteer time. More than just a learning opportunity, this summit is a tactical planning session for organizations ready to operationalize their corporate engagement and scale their resources.
The Nonprofit Technology Conference is an annual gathering for those dedicated to positive social change through skillful and equitable technology use. Attendees learn essential nonprofit technology best practices and connect with a like-minded community. The NTC fosters community through networking opportunities, promotes knowledge growth via formal sessions and informal sharing, prioritizes equity through initiatives like racial affinity spaces and accessibility focus, and provides inspiration through keynotes and reflective spaces.
SXSW is a globally recognized event that brings together professionals from across industries to explore the intersection of technology, culture and social impact. With programming that spans innovation, creative arts, civic engagement and emerging tech, SXSW offers a dynamic platform for learning, networking and collaboration. It’s a hub for nonprofit leaders, entrepreneurs and changemakers looking to stay ahead of trends and drive meaningful change.
The Engage for Good Conference is a premier event focused on corporate social impact, bringing together nonprofit leaders, CSR professionals and business innovators to explore how partnerships can drive both purpose and profit. Held annually in Palm Springs, the conference features inspiring keynotes, tactical workshops and networking opportunities designed to foster collaboration and elevate impact. Attendees gain practical tools and insights on topics like CSR, DEI, ESG and leadership development, making it a must-attend for those working at the intersection of business and social good.
AFP ICON is a multi-day conference offering fundraising training, extensive networking and insights from experts. This gathering of diverse fundraising professionals provides a rich program of educational sessions, workshops and discussions, empowering attendees to learn new strategies, connect with peers and be inspired by industry leaders.
Hosted by Grantmakers for Effective Organizations (GEO), this biennial national conference brings together over 1,000 philanthropic leaders to explore equity-centered, community-driven and systems-informed grantmaking practices. The 2026 theme,
Reimagining Capacity Building: Navigating Culture, Systems & Power
, focuses on transforming philanthropic culture through flexible, reliable funding and inclusive learning. Attendees will engage in peer learning, breakout sessions and community-building activities designed to strengthen the effectiveness of grantmaking organizations.
The Social Innovation Summit is a premier gathering of purpose-driven leaders from across sectors—including Fortune 500 companies, foundations, nonprofits and social enterprises—who are committed to advancing social impact. The 2026 flagship eventwill take place in Atlanta and convene over 1,200 changemakers to explore bold ideas, build transformative partnerships and drive scalable solutions to today’s most pressing challenges. Attendees can expect dynamic keynotes, collaborative sessions and networking designed to spark action and innovation.
The NIO Summit is a high-energy conference designed for nonprofit fundraisers and digital marketers. Known for its immersive and creative atmosphere, the event blends timeless fundraising principles with modern strategies, donor psychology and emerging technologies. Attendees can expect dynamic workshops, engaging presentations and interactive experiences that challenge conventional thinking and inspire innovation in donor engagement and retention.
Funders, founders and representatives from philanthropy, government, education, media, finance, science, faith-based organizations, NGOs, creatives, nonprofits, community leaders and more will unite to drive meaningful impact.
Social REV LIVE is an immersive, two-day learning experience designed for social impact professionals and volunteer leaders who are part of the Social REV community. Centered around the Transformative Approach, the event blends professional development with hands-on service, allowing participants to immediately apply what they learn through community volunteering. It’s a unique opportunity to grow leadership skills, deepen program impact and connect with peers in a collaborative setting.
Hosted by Independent Sector, the Upswell Summit is a dynamic gathering of changemakers, nonprofit leaders, philanthropists and civic innovators committed to advancing equity and social good. The event offers a mix of thought-provoking keynotes, collaborative workshops, and community-driven conversations that explore the most pressing issues facing the social sector. With a focus on inclusion, innovation and impact, Upswell provides a platform for bold ideas and transformative action.
Why the Points of Light Conference Stands Out
With so many strong options among nonprofit conferences in 2026, choosing where to invest your time and resources can be challenging. What consistently sets the
apart is its breadth of perspectives and its focus on civic engagement as a unifying theme across sectors. While many conferences specialize in a single area—like fundraising, marketing or technology—Points of Light brings these threads together, offering a holistic view of how volunteerism and community leadership can drive meaningful change. It’s not just about learning new strategies; it’s about connecting with a broader movement. As you plan your year of professional development, we hope you’ll consider
Ask a CSR Friend: Capturing Employee Volunteer Hours for CRA (Community Reinvestment Act) Compliance
Looking for CSR advice?
Hear from our experts right here in our Ask a CSR Friend monthly column.
Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned pro, we know collaboration is key to creating vibrant workplaces where employees are equipped to contribute to the communities and causes they care about. So, when you need a trusted advisor to lean on, rely on Points of Light to be Your CSR Friend. Each month, our experts share their wisdom and wit to address a specific but often universal challenge related to your work as a corporate social impact practitioner.
Have questions about employee community engagement? Submit your question and it may be featured in a future blog post.
Dear CSR Friend,
I recently started a new job leading the employee volunteer program at a regional bank and am starting to learn all about the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). The organization has a proud history of service and engagement in the local community; however, we don’t have a consistent system for tracking employee volunteer efforts. Our compliance team has been requesting more data in preparation for our CRA exam and while I want to make sure we’re capturing and reporting all the right information, I’m not sure where to start. What do I need to know to ensure our volunteer efforts qualify and are tracked appropriately to meet the CRA “service” test?
Curious in Cleveland
Dear Curious,
First, some good news is that CRA compliance and community engagement aren’t at odds. The same volunteer hours that uplift local communities can also help your institution demonstrate measurable impact to regulators.
[interrupter id=”1″]
Also, you’re not alone in figuring this out. In fact, Benevity’s
32% of large enterprises are focused on volunteering that counts toward regulatory requirements
. Many financial institutions recognize that employee volunteer programs can directly support CRA objectives, but they often struggle to connect the dots between community impact work and compliance. So, let’s break down what you need to know, step-by-step.
What exactly is the Community Reinvestment Act?
The Community Reinvestment Act (CRA), enacted in the US in 1977, encourages financial institutions to meet the credit and service needs of the communities they serve, particularly low- and moderate-income (LMI) neighborhoods. The regulations were updated in 2023 to reflect changes in how financial institutions engage communities, including recognition of digital delivery channels and more detailed guidance on community development services. These updates reinforce the importance of documenting how volunteer activities support community development, especially when tied to financial capability or economic inclusion.
As the
Since regulators review several factors related to the community development services a financial institution provides, it’s important to focus on tracking volunteer activities to:
Document your institution’s commitment to community development
Identify how service aligns with your CRA assessment areas
Strengthen your CRA narrative with quantifiable, verified activity data
Connect your CRA performance with your broader CSR or ESG goals
Even beyond compliance, strong tracking practices let you celebrate your employees’ impact, measure engagement, and share stories that resonate with stakeholders.
Here’s one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned:
capture everything first, evaluate later
. Institutions can miss CRA credit opportunities simply because they don’t collect complete data. While not every volunteer activity qualifies, collecting all volunteer hours ensures you can later analyze and categorize them correctly.
Encourage employees to log all service, including:
Board or committee service for community organizations
Virtual or hybrid volunteering opportunities
When logging time, ask employees to record:
Organization name and mission
Type of activity and skills used
Location or community served
Hours volunteered
How do I analyze volunteer activities?
Use a CRA lens when evaluating activities:
Does it primarily benefit LMI individuals or communities?
Is it tied to financial capability, community development, or economic empowerment?
Can we document the location, beneficiaries, and skills used?
Your CRA or CSR team can then review submissions to determine which qualify under CRA standards. Over time, this approach builds a rich dataset that supports both compliance and storytelling.
You don’t have to reinvent the wheel! If you’re partnering with a CSR platform provider, connect with them to learn more about their tracking capabilities, as they’ve likely had experience working with other financial industry clients that are focused on CRA compliance.
And don’t forget to partner early with your compliance team. When they understand your volunteer programs and you understand their reporting needs, CRA documentation becomes a shared win, not a last-minute scramble.
What’s the bottom line?
Tracking volunteer hours for CRA compliance isn’t just a regulatory exercise; it’s your chance to show how your employees’ time and talent drive community progress. By clearly defining what qualifies, capturing all service, and keeping consistent data, you’ll strengthen both your CRA performance and your culture of service.
Until next time,
Your
Ask a CSR Friend: Responding to Food Insecurity and Volunteer Shortages — How Employees Can Make an Impact
Looking for CSR advice?
Hear from our experts right here in our Ask a CSR Friend monthly column.
Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned pro, we know collaboration is key to creating vibrant workplaces where employees are equipped to contribute to the communities and causes they care about. So, when you need a trusted advisor to lean on, rely on Points of Light to be Your CSR Friend. Each month, our experts share their wisdom and wit to address a specific but often universal challenge related to your work as a corporate social impact practitioner.
Have questions about employee community engagement? Submit your question and it may be featured in a future blog post.
Dear CSR Friend,
Lately, I’ve noticed a lot of headlines about rising food insecurity, especially as the recent government shutdown has impacted federal workers and families across the country. At the same time, I’m seeing more stories about food pantries struggling to find volunteers. It seems like the need is increasing, but the number of people available to help is shrinking.
As someone who helps lead employee engagement efforts at my company, I’m wondering: How can we best support our employees who care deeply about hunger issues, while also helping our communities facing these challenges? What’s the most meaningful way to take action when so many people are stretched thin?
— Concerned About Community in College Park
Dear Concerned About Community,
You’re not imagining it, food insecurity is rising, and volunteer shortages are compounding the challenge. Across the country, local news stories and nonprofit leaders are sounding the alarm: demand at food banks is up, donations are stretched thin, and volunteer rosters are shrinking.
[interrupter id=”1″]
Many long-time food pantry volunteers are aging out, while younger people — juggling rising living costs and demanding schedules — are gravitating toward one-time, event-based opportunities. According to a
, about 20% of all volunteers contribute through a mix of online and in-person service, reflecting both a shift in how people serve and the strain organizations are feeling.
As
, “We’re an overwhelmed and overworked society. The rising costs of everything, and in particular the cost of housing, means that people have to work more.” That reality has reshaped how people show up to serve — and how companies can support them.
This moment offers a powerful opportunity for CSR and employee engagement leaders to step up. The holidays often spark an interest in volunteering, but the growing need and changing volunteer dynamics make now a critical time to connect purpose to action.
The Bottom Line: Four Ways Employees Can Take Action
As food insecurity rises across the country, this is an important moment to help employees take meaningful action. Here are four tangible ways they can make a difference.
1. Volunteer — Every Hour Makes a Difference
Food pantries and meal programs are seeing shortages in volunteers just as demand increases. Encourage your employees to get involved — even if only for a few hours. Flexible, event-based volunteering fits today’s busy lives, and employers can help by:
Offer volunteer time off (VTO) so employees can volunteer to support food insecurity on their own schedules.
Host on-site service projects like food packing or sorting events.
Partner with local food banks for group volunteer days.
Every hour matters. Even short-term engagements can make a big difference in keeping shelves stocked and meals delivered.
2. Donate Food — Thoughtfully and Respectfully
In addition to time and money, food donations remain a vital source of support for community pantries. When encouraging employees to participate in food drives or drop-off events, remind them to donate food they themselves would want to eat — not just items collecting dust in the back of the pantry.
Respectful giving means choosing nutritious, high-demand staples (like canned proteins, pasta, rice, peanut butter, and shelf-stable fruits and vegetables) and avoiding expired or overly niche foods. You might even consider sharing a “most-needed items” list from your local food bank to make donating easier and more intentional.
3. Give — and Make Every Dollar Go Further
When time is limited, financial support can be just as impactful. Encourage employees to donate and leverage matching gifts or payroll deductions to multiply their contributions. Many employees don’t realize their company already offers these programs — a well-timed reminder or spotlight can dramatically increase participation.
Consider highlighting trusted partners like
, which connects donors directly to local food banks.
4. Share Resources — Because Hunger May Be Closer Than You Think
Food insecurity doesn’t only affect the broader community, it can impact our coworkers, neighbors, and friends. Normalizing conversations about food access is a powerful form of support.
Encourage employees to share and use resources like:
FoodFinder.us: An online map connecting people to free food programs in their area
Promoting these tools internally can help ensure that anyone in need, even within your own organization, knows where to turn.
Meeting the Moment
As CSR and employee engagement professionals, we’re uniquely positioned to help employees act on what they care about most. The challenges of today, from economic stress to volunteer shortages, require flexibility, creativity and compassion.
By encouraging volunteerism, promoting thoughtful food donations, amplifying giving programs, and sharing essential resources, your company can help employees make a meaningful impact right now, for themselves, their colleagues, and their communities.
Until next time,
Your
is where we are bringing together companies, nonprofits, educators and civic innovators to harness the Power of Volunteering. Together, we’re transforming how service strengthens personal purpose, deepens community connection and builds national resilience.
As our nation celebrates 250 years of independence and the United Nations marks the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development, this conference is a historic opportunity to shape the global conversation on volunteering and civic engagement.
We’re thrilled to open our call for workshop proposals and invite you to bring your ideas to the conference.
Why Lead a Workshop?
1. Share Your Voice and Join a Vibrant Community
Leading a workshop allows you to share your insights and connect with a diverse, passionate group of changemakers. Past attendees say that being among so many purpose-driven people is “energizing and inspiring.”
2. Turn Ideas into Action
Past attendees have consistently praised sessions that provided practical strategies they could apply right away. Lead a workshop that not only inspires, but equips others to make immediate impact.
“The sessions included a lot of great content. I walked away with practical ideas I can apply right away.” — 2025 Attendee
3. Build Meaningful Connections
Workshops create natural opportunities for authentic conversation and collaboration.
“I loved meeting people from across the country and sharing experiences.” — 2025 Attendee
4. Shape the Learning Experience
Our workshops follow thematic learning pathways that help attendees dive deep into what matters most. By leading a workshop, you’ll help design experiences that are well-organized, engaging and full of fresh perspectives.
5. Spotlight Your Work and Organization
Your workshop puts your mission in front of thousands of social impact professionals and potential partners, amplifying your story and strengthening your organization’s visibility.
6. Bring Fresh Ideas to the Table
Spark curiosity and conversation by introducing new approaches — from innovative volunteer engagement models to creative cross-sector collaborations. Help attendees see what’s next in civic and social impact work.
7. Help Redefine Volunteering
We believe volunteering is not charity – it’s a catalyst for connection and change . Your workshop can help shift conventional practices toward more engaging, inclusive and transformative strategies.
8. Experience Washington, D.C.
Beyond the sessions, connect with changemakers while exploring Washington, D.C.’s vibrant neighborhoods, historic landmarks and the powerful stories of service woven throughout our nation’s capital.
This is a rare moment to help set the tone for a milestone year—one that honors 250 years of American service and elevates volunteering worldwide. If you’re experimenting, learning, or leading in ways that connect people to purpose and accelerate impact, your voice belongs in this conversation. Bring the ideas, tools and stories that move our sector from inspiration to action—and help redefine what volunteering can do for communities everywhere.
Ask a CSR Friend: Leveraging the Employee Engagement Survey to Support Your Employee Volunteer Program
Looking for CSR advice?
Hear from our experts right here in our Ask a CSR Friend monthly column.
Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned pro, we know collaboration is key to creating vibrant workplaces where employees are equipped to contribute to the communities and causes they care about. So, when you need a trusted advisor to lean on, rely on Points of Light to be Your CSR Friend. Each month, our experts share their wisdom and wit to address a specific but often universal challenge related to your work as a corporate social impact practitioner.
Have questions about employee community engagement? Submit your question and it may be featured in a future blog post.
Dear CSR Friend,
Help! After years of asking for space in the annual employee engagement survey, I’ve finally been given a chance to include a question or two on volunteering. However, now I find myself unsure about what to ask and how to ask it to gather the most valuable insights. How can I make the most of this long-awaited opportunity?
Survey-ready in San Antonio
Dear Survey-ready in San Antonio,
First, take a moment to celebrate your achievement — securing a spot in the employee engagement survey is no small victory! You’ve opened a new channel for elevating the role of volunteering at your company. Now the challenge is making those precious survey questions work hard for you.
The key is to start with your strategy – begin by clarifying what insights will be most beneficial for your CSR initiatives and your organization. Are you aiming to understand the impact of volunteering on employee engagement, wellbeing, company culture, or professional development? Pinpointing your goals will help you tailor your questions for actionable results. Here are some sample questions for key areas to consider:
Fostering Belonging
To what extent does volunteering with [INSERT COMPANY NAME HERE] help you build new or deeper relationships with your colleagues?
Supporting Wellbeing
If at all, how much does volunteering help reduce your stress / improve your mood / strengthen your sense of purpose working at [INSERT COMPANY NAME HERE]?
Tip: Choose one option or separate into multiple questions to better isolate the responses.
Strengthening Company Culture
Do you believe [INSERT COMPANY NAME HERE]’s volunteer experiences play a meaningful role in shaping and strengthening our company culture?
Promoting Personal or Professional Growth
To what extent did participating in this volunteer project help you develop or improve any personal/professional skills?
Tip: Choose one option or separate into multiple questions to better isolate the responses.
Increasing Workplace Satisfaction
If at all, how does volunteering affect your sense of pride in working at [INSERT COMPANY NAME HERE]?
Next, it’s important to frame the questions in the best possible way to get usable data. Phrases like “If at all…” or “To what extent…” may seem small, but they can help shape the quality of data returned by encouraging honest, nuanced feedback and avoiding forcing participants into binary positive/negative responses. Watch out for double-barreled questions – avoid combining multiple topics in a single question; instead, split them to clarify what respondents are addressing.
Don’t forget that while inclusion in the annual survey is a significant opportunity, it shouldn’t be the only method for gathering feedback. Consider these additional strategies:
Post-Event Volunteer Surveys: Implement or update surveys following volunteer events to capture immediate feedback.
Pulse Surveys: Use company-wide chat platforms like Slack or Teams for quick, focused polls.
Giving & Volunteering Platforms: Leverage tools such as Benevity or YourCause to integrate feedback mechanisms directly into your volunteer programs.
Your survey space is precious real estate. By thoughtfully designing survey questions anchored in business priorities, framing them clearly, and diversifying your feedback methods, you’ll gain richer insights into the value and impact of volunteering at your company. This data can help you advocate for continued investment in CSR initiatives, demonstrate the benefits of your programs to leadership, and ultimately cultivate a more engaged, fulfilled workforce.
Good luck with your survey, and congratulations again on taking this important step toward amplifying the voice of volunteers at your workplace!
Until next time,
Your
Volunteering and mental health connect deeply, providing powerful pathways to healing, emotional wellness, and personal growth. Across generations and communities, people have found purpose and belonging through acts of service. Whether it’s helping others after personal loss, rediscovering identity after trauma, or finding joy in civic engagement, these personal reflections convey how volunteering can improve mental and emotional health. Research highlights that civic engagement can boost mental health by reducing isolation and fostering meaningful connections.
In honor of
Volunteering for Mental Health Recovery and Healing
“I want to help people who are struggling with mental health know they’re not alone. Volunteering gave me a way to turn my own pain into purpose.”
— Daily Point of Light Honoree (Youth Volunteer, 2024)
“After losing my brother to suicide, I started a nonprofit to raise awareness and provide peer support. Every time I share his story, I feel like I’m helping someone else find hope.”
— Daily Point of Light Honoree (Mental Health Advocate)
“Volunteering became my therapy. It helped me heal from trauma and gave me the strength to help others do the same.”
— Daily Point of Light Honoree (Veteran Volunteer)
“Helping others helped me find my voice. It’s the most healing thing I’ve ever done.”
— Daily Point of Light Honoree (Survivor Advocate)
“I lost my mom to suicide when I was 15. Volunteering helped me find hope again and gave me a way to honor her memory.”
— Daily Point of Light Honoree (Youth Mental Health Advocate)
“After my diagnosis, I felt lost. Volunteering gave me a way to reclaim my identity and feel useful again.”
— Daily Point of Light Honoree (Mental Health Advocate)
“I started volunteering after my own mental health struggles. It gave me a sense of purpose and helped me reconnect with my community.”
— Daily Point of Light Honoree (Youth Advocate)
Volunteering as Self-Care for Emotional Wellness
“Service is my self-care. It’s how I stay grounded and remind myself that I’m part of something bigger.”
— Daily Point of Light Honoree (Healthcare Worker)
“Volunteering helped me reconnect with myself. It gave me structure, community, and a reason to get out of bed when I was struggling.”
— Daily Point of Light Honoree (Veteran Volunteer)
“Volunteering helped me find peace. It’s how I care for myself while caring for others.”
— Daily Point of Light Honoree (Community Volunteer)
“Volunteering is how I recharge. It’s my way of practicing self-care while making a difference.”
— Daily Point of Light Honoree (Healthcare Worker)
Building Connection and Belonging Through Service
“Mental health isn’t just personal—it’s communal. When we show up for each other, we heal together.”
— Daily Point of Light Honoree (Community Organizer)
“I used to feel invisible. Now, through service, I feel seen, valued, and part of something bigger.”
— Daily Point of Light Honoree (Youth Leader)
“It’s my way of meeting like-minded people and making new friends as an adult!”
— Volunteer
“I was struggling with anxiety and depression. Being part of a volunteer team gave me a sense of belonging and reminded me I’m not alone.”
— Daily Point of Light Honoree (Veteran Volunteer)
“I was burned out and disconnected. Giving back helped me reconnect with myself and others.”
— Daily Point of Light Honoree (Educator Volunteer)
Finding Purpose and Personal Growth Through Volunteering
“Volunteering is important because it allows me to make a positive difference in my community, provides personal growth opportunities, fosters a sense of connection and belonging, and contributes to mental and emotional well-being.”
— Volunteer
“I am 77 years old and I like to volunteer because it gives me a purpose.”
— Volunteer
“Volunteering is my sanctuary. It’s where I go when the world feels heavy.”
— Daily Point of Light Honoree (Youth Leader)
“I believe that taking care of yourself is the first step to being able to care for others. That’s why I advocate for mental health awareness in every community I serve.”
— Daily Point of Light Honoree (Community Organizer)
“The young people in our community are navigating growing mental health challenges. They’re facing increased social isolation and lack of meaningful opportunities to connect with others and contribute to something bigger than themselves.”
— Executive Director, Nonprofit
Ready to start making a positive impact on yourself and your community?
