Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned pro, we know it takes a village to create 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,
Our new CEO has been on the job for about a year and has started to ask questions about the company’s community partnerships and focus areas. I know companies have had to end partnerships or phase out programs due to leadership changes or budget shifts and new priorities. I want to make sure that if this ever happens during my tenure, we handle it the right way—without hurting relationships or leaving nonprofit partners in a tough spot. What’s the best way to communicate and transition out of a partnership responsibly while keeping trust and goodwill intact?
Signed,
Prognosticating in Providence
Dear Prognosticating,
In corporate social impact, change is inevitable. Programs evolve, priorities shift, and budgets fluctuate. At times, companies must make the difficult decision to sunset a CSR initiative or end a long-standing community partnership. While necessary for strategic alignment, these transitions can be fraught with anxiety—especially when nonprofits have built programming, staffing and resource allocation around corporate support.
A poorly handled exit can damage relationships, erode trust and leave nonprofits scrambling to fill the void—like ghosting your best friend at her engagement party before your toast, but with MUCH higher stakes. When done thoughtfully, sunsetting a CSR program can maintain goodwill, support nonprofit sustainability and uphold your company’s reputation. Here’s my advice on getting it right, which starts long before your hopefully graceful exit:
Set Up the Partnership for Success (Begin with the Potential End in Mind)
A responsible sunset starts at the beginning. When forming partnerships:
Be honest about your goals along with the reality that corporate strategies evolve. Leadership changes, business priorities shift and budgets tighten.
Establish sustainability measures. Encourage nonprofits to diversify funding sources so they don’t become overly dependent on your support. A simple way to support your nonprofit partners at any point in your relationship is to leverage your social capital and introduce them to other possible funders.
Build in periodic check-ins. Regularly reassess if the partnership still aligns with both parties’ goals.
Be Transparent and Communicate Early
Nonprofits rely on consistent funding and volunteer support, so surprises aren’t fun (or ethical). If a change is on the horizon:
Start the conversation early. Aim for at least 6-12 months’ notice to give nonprofits a long enough runway to adjust.
Frame the decision strategically. It’s about shifting focus, not a lack of appreciation or value.
Keep communication open. One conversation isn’t enough—stay engaged throughout the transition.
Provide Transition Support Where Possible
A responsible sunset isn’t a hard stop—it’s a transition. Where feasible:
Step-down strategy: Decrease your funding year-over-year for a set period of time to help ease the adjustment.
Bridge funding: Consider a one-time grant to facilitate the transition.
Capacity-building resources: Connect nonprofits with other funders, share fundraising tips or offer pro-bono consulting.
Employee transition support: If employees have been heavily involved, help them find new engagement opportunities.
Acknowledge and Honor the Partnership
Whether a partnership lasted one year or a decade, recognize the impact achieved together:
Offer public acknowledgment (blog post, press release, social media appreciation, joint statement) that highlights key milestones and successes.
Express gratitude in internal and external communications to reinforce the value of the partnership.
Provide guidance to employees: Employees often form strong bonds with nonprofit partners. Abruptly ending a program without guidance can lead to frustration and potentially disengagement. Communicate changes clearly and frame them as part of the company’s evolving strategy. Offer them alternative ways to engage, whether through personal volunteering and VTO, matching gifts or workplace giving campaigns. Employees may ask about the old program or partner for years—anticipate this and be ready with clear, consistent messaging.
Conduct a Thoughtful Exit Review
Before finalizing the transition, take a step back and ask your team the following questions. Consider engaging partners in this discussion where appropriate to inform future strategies.
What worked well in the partnership?
What challenges led to the decision to sunset?
How can future programs and partnerships be designed with sustainability in mind?
Keep the Door Open for Future Collaboration
Ending a program today doesn’t mean closing the door forever:
Maintain relationships with key nonprofit leaders.
If the partner or program is still aligned with corporate focus areas, explore different ways to engage, like skills-based volunteering or advocacy.
Periodically check in to see how the organization is faring post-transition.
How a company exits a CSR program or partnership says just as much about its values as how it enters one. A graceful, responsible exit reinforces trust, safeguards corporate reputation and demonstrates a genuine commitment to community impact—beyond just financial contributions. After all, a responsible sunset isn’t just about saying goodbye—it’s about making sure the good work continues, with or without you.
Until next time,
Your
, which actively improves the lives of adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) through volunteerism.
We spoke with Patti Colombo, manager of the RISE Program, and Katie Pfeifer, senior director of Programs at Volunteer New York!, to hear their reflections on what has made this initiative such a success.
“When we started the program, we were seeing that many people with and without disabilities were using our site to find meaningful places to volunteer,” Katie said. “What we didn’t want to happen – and what was occasionally happening – was they were being turned away, or not encouraged in a way that created strong volunteer opportunities. We were able to obtain funding for this program, build it out and bring on Patti to help elevate the program.”
“The program has been around for nine years,” shared Patti. “It’s all about community inclusion. These individuals want, need and are actually mandated to be in the community. Forty years ago, individuals were still being housed in institutions without meaningful or productive lives, and that’s no longer the norm. There’s a very strong movement toward inclusion and acceptance in our communities.”
RISE, which stands for ” Readiness thru Integrated Service Engagement,” connects individuals with I/DD to meaningful volunteer opportunities. Volunteer New York! works with over 300 different nonprofits, conducting site visits and talking to nonprofit and corporate teams to identify projects that could be a good fit for a RISE group.
Often, they identify roles and responsibilities that can be broken up among multiple volunteers. And recurring projects tend to be popular as they are able to be fine-tuned over time. Plus, both the hosting teams and volunteer participants can anticipate what to expect and count on regularly scheduled projects as part of their routine.
“We know exactly how volunteering builds community and builds skills,” Patti said. “A lot of these individuals have goals, like employment. And if they’re not necessarily able to work, they still want to be involved in meaningful community engagement. We’re specifically working with people with intellectual disabilities, people who often have their needs misunderstood or unsupported. We’re able to help with that.”
One of the core goals of the program is to foster community engagement by creating integrated volunteer projects where people with and without disabilities can work side-by-side. This approach has proven to be incredibly successful in breaking down barriers and promoting understanding.
During a recent corporate activation event, 45% of volunteers surveyed shared that they had no prior way to engage with individuals with I/DD. However, after participating in the integrated projects, a remarkable 97.4% of volunteers reported feeling a stronger sense of community with those with I/DD, compared to 71.5% prior to the projects.
“People want to be seen. They want to be able to have a purpose,” reflected Patti. “That’s really what community inclusion is all about. People with I/DD or autism often feel invisible. There are so many wins with this program – there are multiple layers of impact.”
Indeed, the impact of the RISE program is undeniable. In the past year alone, 185 RISE volunteers have dedicated over 3,000 hours of service to 33 community partners. They have supported a wide range of causes, including:
Providing school clothing to 750 students to prevent absenteeism.
Supporting 600 students with educational resources.
Assembling and distributing 1,120 Period Kits to teens.
Creating and mailing 735 birthday cards to Senior Corp volunteers.
Packaging 1,000 feedings of donated breast milk for deliveries to local NICUs.
Caring for 18 horses.
Supporting 175 individuals with disabilities in social and job readiness skills.
Helping 4,500 new immigrants find a clean and safe place to learn.
“We know that everybody has a role to play in our community – people of all ages, stages and ability levels,” Katie expressed. “We want people from all backgrounds to be part of solutions that help solve our community challenges.”
As Volunteer New York! celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, the RISE program is proving that inclusive volunteering isn’t just a nice idea – it’s a powerful tool for positive change. When people with and without disabilities work side-by-side, it breaks down stereotypes and builds genuine connections. Volunteers – especially those with diverse experiences and representing a variety of perspectives – can gain valuable skills and confidence, while the wider community benefits from their contributions: a win-win that’s creating a more welcoming and inclusive society for everyone.
CSR Leaders: A Learning Path Just for You at the Points of Light Conference
and connect with corporate leaders driving volunteerism and civic engagement worldwide. This year, we’re introducing six distinct learning pathways.
If you’re a CSR professional, there’s a dedicated track just for you—Unlocking Revolutionary Employee Engagement!
Focused on integrating social impact with business strategy, fostering a culture of purpose, and creating meaningful change, this learning pathway will provide dedicated content for corporate social impact leaders. Whether you’re new to CSR or a seasoned professional, this pathway and the five others are sure to engage you with practical learning and valuable connections to drive change in your communities. Get ready for bold conversations, cross-sector solutions and actionable strategies to maximize your impact!
In addition to a dedicated learning pathway, corporate attendees are invited to join us for a transformative half-day
Business & Social Impact Forum
on June 5 for CSR leaders who are ready to unlock the full potential of their employee volunteer programs. This Forum is designed to empower corporate attendees with innovative strategies and actionable insights as they deliver on their organization’s purpose and help create a sense of belonging amongst their employees.
This convening will foster meaningful connections and knowledge exchange among business leaders. Gain fresh perspectives, share leading practices and success stories, and learn from each other’s wins as we discuss the power of employee volunteering to drive social impact and business success.
Don’t miss this opportunity to unlock the potential of your workforce and drive meaningful change.
Learning Pathways
70 Workshops over Six Learning Pathways
Unlocking Revolutionary Employee Engagement
CSR professionals will explore strategies to align social impact with business goals while collaborating with HR, DEI, ERG and ESG leaders. Through engaging discussions, they’ll discover ways to foster employee belonging, boost retention and connect their workforce to the communities they serve.
Workshop Preview | Lessons in Building an Inclusive Employee-Centered Engagement Program by Liberty Mutual
Find out how Liberty Mutual Insurance promotes an egalitarian culture of philanthropy that meets employees where they are while elevating the business value that comes from community engagement.
Creating Transformational Volunteer Programs
Explore tactical strategies for shifting from transactional to transformational volunteer programs, recruiting and retaining volunteers across generations, and addressing challenges in response to evolving volunteer motivations.
Workshop Preview | From Steel to Social Impact: Building a Transformational Giving & Volunteering Program at Scale by Realized Worth & Reliance Steel
Discover how Reliance Steel took an innovative and unconventional approach to launching their transformational giving and volunteering program across a complex, global enterprise of 13,700 employees.
Empowering Community-Centered Volunteerism
Explore the role of community in creating models of volunteerism that prioritize collaboration, respect for local knowledge and sustainable impact. Learn how to engage your community to play a central role in the design and implementation of volunteer programs.
Workshop Preview | From Projects to Partnerships: Aligning Corporate Goals with Community Needs by L.A. Works
Join this session to listen to expert guidance that ensures the employee volunteer plans you’ve put in place are driven by authentic community needs rather than company priorities.
Mobilizing the Next Generation of Volunteers
Gain insights into Gen Z and Gen Alpha’s motivations, preferences and barriers to service. Workshops will focus on youth-centric volunteerism, offering perspectives directly from youth and exploring how volunteerism in schools can inspire the next generation of leaders.
Workshop Preview | How to Cultivate a Generation of Civic Engagers by Chicago Cares
Curious to know how to engage and retain Gen Z employee volunteers? Attend this workshop to hear straight from the source as Gen Z presenters showcase how to cultivate the next generation of community leaders.
Reigniting National Service
There are many forms of service – from running for office, to serving one’s country through military service, to serving others as part of AmeriCorps, Peace Corps or National Citizen Service. Globally, national service is essential to meet the changing needs of today’s community leaders. Explore how these programs are evolving to provide flexible, skills-based opportunities that align with values, drive social change and serve as pathways to the workforce.
Workshop Preview | Reinvigorating National Service: Empowering the Next Generation to Bridge Divides and Advance Climate Careers by Service Year Alliance
Discover how service year programs can bridge societal divides, strengthen democracy and build workforce pipelines—especially in the green sector—while gaining actionable strategies to position national service as a key talent and impact driver for your company.
Fueling Organizational Growth
Discuss challenges and discover proven solutions for increasing organizational effectiveness. Explore solutions to strengthen partnerships, develop leaders, drive innovation, generate powerful storytelling and diversify funding. Learn how AI is transforming the sector by streamlining operations, amplifying impact and enabling data-driven decisions that advance volunteering and civic engagement.
Workshop Preview | Building Impactful Volunteering Programs with ChatGPT: A Hands-On Theory of Change Workshop by India Welfare Trust
While you might associate a theory of change model with nonprofit organizations, join this session to learn how you can apply this framework to your company’s volunteer strategy that helps achieve goals and measure impact. Plus, attendees will learn how to use ChatGPT to structure ideas and refine program design.
for an unforgettable gathering of nonprofit, government, national service, faith-based and corporate leaders driving volunteerism and civic engagement worldwide. This year, we’re introducing six distinct learning pathways designed to meet you where you are—whether you’re looking to strengthen community partnerships, spark new ideas, or take your impact to the next level. Get ready for bold conversations, cross-sector solutions, and actionable strategies to create real change!
Learning Pathways
70 Workshops over Six Learning Pathways
Creating Transformational Volunteer Programs
Explore tactical strategies for: shifting from transactional to transformational volunteer programs, recruiting and retaining volunteers across generations, and addressing challenges in response to evolving volunteer motivations.
Uncover key volunteer recruitment trends, marketing practices and conversion benchmarks.
Empowering Community-Centered Volunteerism
Explore the role of community in creating models of volunteerism that prioritize collaboration, respect for local knowledge and sustainable impact. Learn how to engage your community to play a central role in the design and implementation of volunteer programs.
Workshop Preview | Community-Centered Volunteer Impact: What Matters to Those Closest to the Mission
With Sue Carter Kahl, Volunteer Commons
Discover how prioritize and track what matters to the community those closest to your mission.
Mobilizing the Next Generation of Volunteers
Gain insights into Gen Z and Gen Alpha’s motivations, preferences and barriers to service. Workshops will focus on youth-centric volunteerism, offering perspectives directly from youth and exploring how volunteerism in schools can inspire the next generation of leaders.
Workshop Preview | Youth at the Table: Redefining Leadership in Volunteerism
With Sonali Ratnasinghe, Youth Ambassadors of Service
Move beyond tokenistic youth involvement and learn ways to foster genuine intergenerational collaboration in volunteerism.
Unlocking Revolutionary Employee Engagement
CSR professionals will explore strategies to align social impact with business goals while collaborating with HR, DEI, ERG and ESG leaders. Through engaging discussions, they’ll discover ways to foster employee belonging, boost retention and connect their workforce to the communities they serve.
Workshop Preview | Lessons in Building an Inclusive Employee-Centered Engagement Program
With Lindsay Mason and Stephanie Meredith, Liberty Mutual Insurance
Find out how Liberty Mutual Insurance promotes an egalitarian culture of philanthropy that meets employees where they are while elevating the business value that comes from community engagement.
Reigniting National Service
There are many forms of service – from running for office, to serving one’s country through military service, to serving others as part of AmeriCorps, Peace Corps or National Citizen Service. Globally, national service is essential to meet the changing needs of today’s community leaders. Explore how these programs are evolving to provide flexible, skills-based opportunities that align with values, drive social change and serve as pathways to the workforce.
Workshop Preview | Creating a Community Strategy to Cultivate Volunteerism and Civic Capacity
With Analise Gammel and Samantha Lukasiewicz, Serve Virginia
Learn actionable community strategies to increase volunteer engagement and empower your community to work towards long-term transformation.
Fueling Organizational Growth
Discuss challenges and discover proven solutions for increasing organizational effectiveness. Explore solutions to strengthen partnerships, develop leaders, drive innovation, generate powerful storytelling and diversify funding. Learn how AI is transforming the sector by streamlining operations, amplifying impact and enabling data-driven decisions that advance volunteering and civic engagement.
Workshop Preview | A Quality Pipeline for Volunteering
With Terri O’Brien, Volunteer Ireland
Examine how systems can be implemented across diverse non-profits to enhance volunteer impact, organizational effectiveness, and the overall quality of volunteering.
if you register five or more team members from the same organization!
Stretch your budget and stay near all the conference activities by booking your room at our official hotel, the New Orleans Marriott.
How Hands On Manila, Points of Light’s First Affiliate Outside of the US, Is Shaping Global Volunteerism
In a world that increasingly demands both individual and collective action, volunteering is a powerful force for positive change. At the forefront of volunteer engagement,
.
We spoke with ND-Kristine B. Ambrosio, executive director of Hands On Manila, and Gianna Montinola, the president of Hands On Manila and co-founder who launched the organization in 2001. Together with their team, they have cultivated a thriving hub for volunteer engagement.
Hands On Manila holds a unique distinction: it was Points of Light’s first international Global Network affiliate. This pioneering partnership has shaped the network, fostering growth and connection on a global scale.
Courtesy Hands On Manila
“Our partnership with Points of Light has provided invaluable support in multiple ways,” shares Ambrosio. “It strengthened our resource mobilization efforts, particularly in corporate volunteer programs, by connecting us with Points of Light’s extensive international network. Additionally, being affiliated with Points of Light has enhanced our credibility on a global scale. We also benefit from access to key communication materials and best practices shared through the Global Network platform, which help us refine our messaging and engagement strategies.”
Today, Hands On Manila builds on this strong foundation. While they primarily design customized corporate volunteer programs, they continue to offer individual volunteer activities—staying true to how they started.
Their work focuses on four key pillars: Education, Environment, Health & Wellness and Livelihood. Two flagship programs, Servathon and Good Deeds Day, exemplify their commitment to large-scale impact. Servathon brings together corporate volunteers for impactful service projects, while Good Deeds Day, a global movement, encourages acts of kindness and service in countless ways.
“Volunteering isn’t just about giving—it’s about creating connections and building a stronger, more compassionate world, one action at a time.”
— Gianna Montinola, president and co-founder, Hands On Manila
Courtesy Hands On Manila
Measuring the impact of these initiatives is paramount to Hands On Manila’s work. “We implement a post-activity feedback system to assess volunteer experiences in program execution, beneficiary engagement and sustainability,” explains Ambrosio. “To ensure long-term impact, we actively involve both corporate and community stakeholders in maintaining and sustaining the support provided. This includes regular follow-ups, scheduled visits and random check-ins with partner communities to track progress and reinforce commitment.”
Recognizing and appreciating the contributions of volunteers is a core value at Hands On Manila. “We make sure our volunteers feel valued through certificates, shoutouts on social media and appreciation events,” shares Montinola. “For corporate partners, we share impact reports to highlight their contributions. Plus, our big events like Servathon and Good Deeds Day are great opportunities to celebrate and recognize volunteer efforts. We believe a little gratitude goes a long way in keeping people inspired to get involved!”
This February, Hands On Manila takes center stage as the host of the annual Points of Light Global Gathering. This multi-day event promises to be a powerful opportunity for collaboration and innovation amongst nonprofit and NGO leaders.
“We’re looking forward to connecting with Global Network leaders from around the world, exchanging ideas, and learning from different approaches to volunteering,” says Ambrosio. “It’s also a great chance to highlight volunteer efforts in Asia and explore new ways to collaborate. Plus, we’re excited to have the these leaders join Hands On Manila’s public conference, where we’ll discuss the impact of bayanihan [a spirit of civic unity and cooperation among Filipinos] and corporate volunteerism. It’ll be interesting to see the insights that come out of these conversations.”
The Hands On Manila leaders feel strongly about the vital role of volunteering in today’s world. “Volunteering helps tackle real issues, brings people together and creates positive change,” asserts Ambrosio. “Whether it’s sharing skills, helping in crises or supporting communities, volunteering is a simple way to make a big impact.”
Hands On Manila, through its dedication to service and its leadership within the Points of Light Global Network, certainly embodies this truth as it inspires individuals and organizations to make a difference, one act of kindness at a time.
Make the Case for Volunteering: New Research, Data & Resources
At Points of Light, we equip nonprofits, community leaders and partners with the latest information, research and findings to make the case for volunteering. Our work is critical as communities around the world face rapidly changing challenges. In the U.S., many organizations are navigating fast-paced shifts in federal policy. Points of Light has also issued a statement on the importance of
.
In addition to advocating for nonprofits and responding nimbly to external developments, we’re bringing you new resources. This year, we’ve made new investments in measurement, evaluation and research. In this post, we bring together data, statistics and related research updates you can use in proposals, funder conversations, social media, blogs and talking points to help make the case for volunteering and the essential work of your organization.
Independent Sector’s 2024 Health of the U.S. Nonprofit Sector report reveals that only 25% of funders, compared to 72% of nonprofit leaders, believe that volunteers significantly enhance service quality. The nonprofit sector encounters substantial challenges, with 47% of nonprofits struggling to recruit enough volunteers, 35% finding skilled volunteers hard to come by and 38% having trouble securing volunteers during the traditional workday. While public perception of the nonprofit sector is divided, 79% of individuals reported that their previous volunteering experiences positively influenced their views of nonprofit organizations. [United States]
Volunteering during early retirement reduces depression. A study on early retirees in the United States demonstrated that participation in volunteer activities significantly decreases the likelihood of depression. [United States]
Investigating causal link between volunteering and blood pressure by gender, race, and cohort. A study among older adults investigated the causal link between volunteering and blood pressure, revealing that individuals who volunteered extensively (over 201 hours annually) exhibited a reduced likelihood of clinically high diastolic and systolic blood pressure. [United States]
HandsOn Mexico [Mexico]
Challenges in Perceptions of Volunteering
Perceived influences of mentoring on mentors’ social well-being. A study of a mentoring and service-learning program at the University of Padova in Italy examined the perceived effects of mentoring on the social well-being of university students who mentored at-risk preadolescents. The results reveal a complex link between mentoring and social well-being and offer new insights into the potential mechanisms that may drive the lasting impact of mentoring and other community-involved service-learning opportunities. [Italy]
Lagging behind by doing good: How volunteering prolongs unemployment. A study using the Danish Volunteer Survey discovered that jobless individuals who volunteer remain unemployed approximately two weeks or 31% longer than those who do not. The study questions the effectiveness of promoting volunteering as a reemployment strategy. [Denmark]
Towards a new form of volunteering 2.0: A survey at Apsopad International. A study centered on a Moroccan humanitarian NGO examined the increasing trend of digital volunteering and its transformative effects on nonprofit organizations and their volunteers. The findings suggest that digital volunteering considerably improves flexibility, but it poses challenges in fostering strong social connections. [Morocco]
Is your organization engaged in or contributing to new and innovative research related to volunteering? We’d love to hear more! Please contact Ferzana Havewala, vice president, research & insights at Points of Light, at
Points of Light’s Commitment to Community Organizations
For 35 years, Points of Light has championed volunteering and supported community organizations through our network of volunteer-mobilizing organizations serving over 50,000 local nonprofit organizations. America’s nonprofit ecosystem supports vital services and programs millions of Americans rely on, including healthcare, disaster relief, and youth education.
Points of Light remains deeply committed to strengthening America’s nonprofits and empowering local community members to solve problems and meet urgent needs through volunteering, everyday acts of service, and helping neighbors. Thousands of nonprofits are navigating uncertain times and potential programmatic impact, including 50 Points of Light local nonprofit volunteer-mobilizing organizations and the thousands of nonprofit organizations that depend on them to recruit, train and place critical volunteer roles. Points of Light is closely monitoring developments in Washington and staying closely connected with our partners.
Our dedicated volunteers and nonprofit affiliates are essential to strengthening communities. And we know that in a time of great division, volunteering and serving alongside one another uniquely brings us together with purpose and helps bridge divides.
As the sector navigates potential shifts, we urge philanthropy and corporate partners to join us in providing critical support to nonprofits, especially the need to harness the power of volunteers during challenging times. Through the power of volunteer time and talent, we can build stronger, more resilient communities.
To our nonprofit partners, while we can’t predict what’s next, we know that our country needs your skills and expertise to advance our important work- fostering civic engagement, volunteering, service, and social impact in communities. We’re here to support you and be the champions of your work. We also want to hear from you on the potential impact your organization is facing, now and in the future, to your programs and those you serve. Please send us a message with “Impact Stories” to our team at [email protected]. To stay updated on the latest information, visit the National Council of Nonprofits’ tracker.
Ask a CSR Friend: Shifting ERGs from Company-Focused to Community-Centered
Whether you’re a novice or a seasoned pro, we know it takes a village to create 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 lead an Employee Resource Group at my company, and I’m hoping to collaborate with national nonprofits that align with our mission to support an historically excluded population. However, after initial discussions, I rarely receive responses to my follow-up emails. I understand nonprofit leaders are busy, but I worry our approach comes across one-sided or transactional as we have some big goals to achieve rather quickly. As someone experienced in nonprofit partnerships, what advice can you provide so that potential partners know we want to build meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships that truly add value?
Signed,
Getting Ghosted in Galveston
Dear Getting Ghosted,
Thank you for being vulnerable by surfacing an authentic and important challenge that both EVP and ERG leaders can learn from, especially those newer to this field. For decades, CSR leaders operated with the best of intentions but often fell short when engaging nonprofits as partners. At first, we approached these partnerships with a corporate-centric lens, making demands based on our own goals and timelines rather than collaborating with communities to understand their needs. Mistakes were made—lots of them. I hate to admit it, but nonprofits were often seen as service providers rather than partners.
It took years of trial, error and listening for CSR leaders to learn this critical lesson: meaningful impact requires
, not the corporation. Now, ERG leaders are stepping into similar territory, and the good news is you don’t have to repeat our mistakes.
Here’s how your ERG can start partnership discussions on the right track:
Learn from CSR’s Early Missteps: CSR leaders once approached nonprofits with lists of demands: “We need a volunteer opportunity for 500 employees next Thursday from 9 a.m. until noon and it can’t be too messy.” Does that sound painfully familiar? These approaches often alienated nonprofits and, worse, failed to meet community needs. ERG leaders can skip this step by prioritizing collaboration over corporate agendas from the start.
Lead with Humility, Not Assumptions: Early CSR efforts often assumed the corporation knew best. The truth? Nonprofits are the experts in serving their communities. Ask questions like, “What do you need most right now?” and let their answers guide your actions.
Be a Resource, Not a Burden: CSR leaders eventually learned that meaningful partnerships involve giving more than they take. ERGs can adopt this mindset by asking, “How can we support your mission?” rather than pushing for initiatives that might not align with the nonprofit’s priorities.
Understand the Context: CSR leaders spent years learning to understand the systemic challenges faced by historically excluded populations—and how corporate actions can unintentionally reinforce those barriers. ERGs can take a shortcut by prioritizing cultural competency and educating themselves about the communities they aim to support.
Invest in Relationships, Not Quick Wins: Building trust takes time. CSR leaders learned that long-term, authentic partnerships are far more impactful than transactional engagements. ERGs can start building those relationships now, knowing that trust is the foundation for lasting impact.
Working with community FOR community is a practice that needs nurturing, refining and constant reflection. This shift in mindset won’t just help your ERG avoid years of missteps; it will allow you to contribute meaningfully to the communities you care about while also achieving internal goals. By approaching nonprofits with respect, humility, and a willingness to listen, you can build partnerships that create real change—while strengthening your ERG’s impact and credibility.
Want to deepen your understanding of how to lead with a community-centered approach? Join us at the
this summer, where leaders in CSR, HR, and DEIB will explore actionable strategies to build trust, foster equity and create meaningful partnerships with nonprofits. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from experts and peers who are transforming corporate community engagement for the better. Learn more and register today!
Until next time,
Your
Exciting Updates and New Features for the 2025 Points of Light Conference
Thanks to Your Feedback, We’ve Made a Few Updates
Last year’s conference attendees shared thoughtful feedback with us about their experiences, and we listened! Thanks to their insights, we are happy to share what’s new and exciting for the 2025
Repeat Workshops: Our most popular workshops will be repeated in a block on Friday so you can maximize your learning.
New Learning Pathways: Choose from six structured workshop routes, including creating transformational volunteer programs, empowering community-centered volunteerism, fueling organizational growth and more.
New Business and Social Impact Forum: Workshops, panel discussions and networking opportunities just for corporate attendees.
Gen Z Insights: The future is now. Gen Z civic leaders will share experiences throughout conference, from the mainstage to idea exchanges.
Speakers Who Are “Doing the Work”: Hear from people representing a variety of nonprofits of different sizes and types, including Points of Light Global Network Affiliates.
Networking
First-time Attendee Networking: A fun meet and greet designed to connect first-time attendees with experienced conference-goers and fellow newcomers.
Two New Structured Networking Opportunities: Breakfast Table Talks and Idea Exchange Conversation Workshops that encourage meaningful dialogue and collaborative learning.
Build Meaningful Connections: Share meals and spark conversation with fellow attendees during sponsored breakfasts, lunches and receptions, included with registration.
Navigating Disasters and Crises: A Playbook for Social Impact Leaders
In an era marked by increasingly frequent and complex crises, corporate social impact leaders face growing challenges in responding effectively and creating a crisis management plan. Recognizing this, four leading organizations in the social impact space—
.
This comprehensive playbook is designed to empower corporate social responsibility (CSR), philanthropy and community investment professionals with the tools and strategies needed to navigate disaster response in a thoughtful and impactful way. It introduces a forward-thinking framework consisting of five core elements, each illustrated with real-world case studies from industry leaders.
Five Key Elements of the Framework
Develop a Crisis Response Process: Establishing a robust process before disaster strikes is essential. The playbook features a case study from PayPal, highlighting its rapid response team’s approach. It also provides guidance on forming response committees, defining decision-making criteria and conducting internal reviews to ensure readiness.
Assess the Crisis: Before jumping into action, it’s critical to understand the scope and severity of the situation. Cisco’s case study demonstrates how their response program managed challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and cybersecurity threats. This section includes tips on evaluating employee, market and community impacts to prioritize responses effectively.
Determine Whether to Respond: Not every crisis will require or benefit from a corporate response. Using a sample crisis response rubric, this section guides companies in evaluating risks, navigating stakeholder requests and making informed decisions. The insights help social impact teams align their actions with organizational values and stakeholder expectations.
Plan Response Actions: A well-thought-out plan is key to impactful disaster response. The Home Depot’s holistic approach to communication—spanning internal teams, external audiences and partners—provides a blueprint for success. This section also covers how to leverage partnerships, craft scalable communications plans and determine engagement methods, such as financial donations or product contributions.
Implement the Plan and Measure Results: Effective execution and continuous improvement are crucial. Citi Foundation’s case study showcases how it supports multiple disaster response organizations simultaneously. This section offers practical advice on tracking response progress, evaluating the need for additional investment, determining the duration of engagement and conducting post-crisis debriefs to refine future strategies.
Built on Expertise and Real-World Insights
The framework is informed by the collective expertise of social impact leaders, including insights from 15 chief sustainability officers, corporate foundation professionals and nonprofit executives. It also incorporates findings from virtual focus groups and a review of existing tools and techniques. This ensures the guidance is grounded in the realities of corporate disaster response and tailored to meet the needs of corporate social impact practitioners.
A Data Overview of Disaster Giving: Trends and statistics to help organizations benchmark their efforts.
Definitions of Common Types of Disasters and Crises: Clear categorizations to guide response strategies.
Corporate Disaster and Crisis Management Strategies: Holistic approaches to navigating the internal and external complexities of disaster response.
Ready to Navigate the Complexities of Disaster Response?
This invaluable resource is available for free download and promises to be a game-changer for organizations aiming to enhance their disaster and crisis response capabilities. Whether you’re a seasoned CSR professional or new to the field, the playbook offers actionable strategies to make your disaster response efforts more effective and aligned with your company’s values.
With disasters becoming an unavoidable reality, the time to strengthen your organization’s crisis response strategy is now. Download
today and take a decisive step toward building resilience and creating meaningful impact in times of need.
Points of Light Corporate Service Council members, reach out to [email protected] to request access to an exclusive tool that complements the framework and can be adapted to guide your disaster response decision-making.
Unlocking Revolutionary Employee Engagement
Empowering Community-Centered Volunteerism
Mobilizing the Next Generation of Volunteers
Reigniting National Service
Fueling Organizational Growth
