What can we learn from nearly 100 businesses with more than 1.4 million employees contributing $230 million charitable dollars annually? America’s Charities set out to tackle this question in the recently released report: Snapshot: Trends and Strategies to Engage Employees in Greater Giving. The data reveals the largest shift in more than ten years as employers introduce strategies to engage employees more in giving.
While employers seek solutions to a more efficient and effective approach to workplace giving, America’s Charities CEO Steve Delfin believes its time for companies to launch a Version 2.0.
Here are key findings from the report:
- “80% of the employers surveyed are branding their workplace giving programs with their own names, themes and/or logos.”
- “More than half reported they are likely to incorporate more social media tools in to giving activities.”
- “Young workers….want their giving experiences to be engaging, empowering and catalyzing…..causing employers to rethink their giving programs …”
- “85% of respondents said administrating the campaign is one of their top challenges.”
- “Companies and organizations are now devising overall strategies for giving, volunteerism, skills-based prop bono and engagement.”
Although giving is up at a majority of the companies surveyed, especially organizations offering charitable choices to employees, the average employee participation rate is declining. Between 2006 and 2012, participation rates dropped from 41% to 33%. As a result, many employers are looking to contests, social media and special events to keep workplace giving fresh and fun. I have a feeling our friends over at the crowdfunding platform Moolta can help employers put more fun in fundraising.
Fall fundraising campaigns are the norm in 80% of the respondents, yet year-round giving practices are emerging. In addition, the study revealed that between 2000 and 2012 there was a 70% jump in companies contracting with technology vendors to support there giving programs. Also on the rise are corporate matching gift programs—up 58% since 2006. This is encouraging news for nonprofits that are effective in collaborating with employers to achieve mutually beneficial giving goals.
You can learn more and read the latest report here. This is the third report on workplace giving trends conducted by America’s Charities. Previous reports were published in 2000 and 2006.
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