Will Arkansas nonprofits weather what is being called the “perfect storm” of financial and operational challenges? Absolutely. But they will need community support to do it.
Like nearly every industry, the philanthropic sector faces unique circumstances as more people turn to local organizations for help amid rising costs for everyday essentials and dwindling government dollars. The good news is that businesses can help bridge the gap by investing in volunteerism.
Corporate social responsibility, or CSR, has long been recognized as a powerful model for improving the well-being of companies and communities. Studies show that focusing on philanthropic CSR boosts employee morale.
UBS found that giving back can help fuel professional development, including better communication, relationship-building and performance ratings. Harvard Business Review notes, “Karmic satisfaction is only part of the payoff” of volunteerism. These programs also strengthen company culture, helping attract and retain employees.
Giving back is not only a win for businesses and employees doing the good deeds. Nonprofit organizations rely on volunteers’ time and efforts to deliver essential services.
The U.S. Census Bureau notes that volunteers contribute billions of hours of unpaid work each year. Without the ongoing support of their communities, the Harvard Kennedy School warns organizations may lack the funds to hire paid staff, “meaning that programs simply don’t survive if volunteers can’t be found.”
According to the AmeriCorps Civic Engagement and Volunteering Survey, only 28% of Americans are currently involved in formal volunteerism — a figure still well below pre-pandemic levels. The report also shows the number of hours served per person continues to decline. Increasing corporate volunteer programs can reverse that trend while also giving our nonprofit sector a much-needed boost.
So, how can companies get started?
At Heart of Arkansas United Way, we often encourage our partners to form an employee council to discuss what types of volunteer activities interest them and how often they’d like to participate. From there, it is just about finding the right fit. Many companies choose skill-based volunteering, which allows employees to use their professional capabilities to help nonprofits that might otherwise be unable to afford these services.
Most importantly, we believe volunteering should be intentional. Businesses should align opportunities with their mission and their team’s passions.
At its core, volunteering is about creating impact. Organizing a clothing closet at a local women’s shelter might seem like a simple task. But when a mother can easily find the items that she urgently needs for her children, sorted by season and size, it reaffirms the value of the hours spent sorting boxes and hanging clothes.
As we often hear from employees engaging in volunteer initiatives, the work can seem minor until seen through the eyes of those they’ve helped. That is the sign of a successful corporate volunteer program.
From mentoring youth to promoting financial literacy and expanding access to mental health services, local nonprofits are our lifelines. As these organizations navigate economic headwinds that can sometimes feel insurmountable, I hope more businesses will seize the opportunity to give back. By strengthening our nonprofits’ ability to serve, we can build stronger companies and stronger communities where everyone can thrive.
Editor’s note: Lynn Pharr is the president and CEO of Heart of Arkansas United Way. The opinions expressed are those of the author.
