7.4 Employee-Driven Philanthropy Initiatives

Employee-driven philanthropy initiatives empower workers to make a difference. From peer-to-peer fundraising to grassroots campaigns, these programs tap into employees' passions and networks to boost impact.

Companies benefit by fostering a culture of giving and engagement. By supporting employee-led efforts, organizations can amplify their philanthropic reach while building stronger teams and communities.

Employee-Driven Fundraising

Peer-to-Peer Campaigns and Crowdfunding

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• Peer-to-peer fundraising harnesses the power of employees' personal networks to raise funds for a specific cause or nonprofit organization
  • Employees create personalized fundraising pages and share them with their friends, family, and colleagues to solicit donations
  • Can be particularly effective when tied to a specific event or challenge, such as a charity walk or marathon (Relay for Life, Walk to End Alzheimer's)
• Crowdfunding campaigns involve setting a specific fundraising goal and leveraging the collective power of many small donations to reach that target
  • Platforms like GoFundMe, Kickstarter, and Indiegogo provide easy-to-use tools for creating and promoting crowdfunding campaigns
  • Employees can rally around a particular cause or project and encourage their networks to contribute

Workplace Giving Programs

• Workplace giving allows employees to make charitable donations directly through payroll deductions
  • Employers often match employee contributions, doubling the impact of each donation
  • Campaigns typically run for a set period (2-4 weeks) and feature a selection of vetted nonprofit partners
• Workplace giving can also include annual events like charity auctions, bake sales, or "casual for a cause" days where employees make a donation to dress down
• Some companies offer volunteer time off (VTO) as part of their workplace giving program, allowing employees to donate their time and skills to a nonprofit organization

Employee Empowerment and Leadership

Grassroots Initiatives and Employee Resource Groups

• Grassroots initiatives are employee-led efforts to address social or environmental issues within the company or community
  • Employees identify a need and organize their colleagues to develop and implement solutions
  • Examples might include starting a recycling program, organizing a community cleanup day, or advocating for more inclusive hiring practices
• Employee resource groups (ERGs) are voluntary, employee-led groups that foster a diverse, inclusive workplace and support the professional development of their members
  • ERGs are often formed around shared characteristics, experiences, or interests (Women in Tech, LGBTQ+ Alliance, Black Employee Network)
  • These groups can be powerful allies in advancing corporate philanthropy goals, particularly those related to diversity, equity, and inclusion

Cause Champions and Employee-Led Committees

• Cause champions are passionate employees who serve as ambassadors for a particular cause or nonprofit partner
  • They help to educate their colleagues about the issue, rally support for fundraising and volunteer initiatives, and provide feedback to the company's CSR team
  • Cause champions often have a personal connection to the cause and can share powerful stories that inspire others to get involved
• Employee-led committees are groups of volunteers who work together to plan and execute philanthropic initiatives
  • Committees might focus on a specific type of engagement, like volunteering or workplace giving, or they might be organized around a particular cause or geographic region
  • Empowering employees to lead these committees can result in more creative and impactful programming that reflects the passions and interests of the workforce

Innovative Philanthropy Approaches

Participatory Grantmaking

• Participatory grantmaking puts decision-making power in the hands of the people most affected by the issues being addressed
  • Rather than relying solely on the company's CSR team or leadership to determine funding priorities, participatory grantmaking involves employees, community members, and other stakeholders in the process
  • This approach can lead to more equitable and effective distribution of resources, as well as greater trust and engagement among employees and the community
• Participatory grantmaking can take many forms, such as:
  • Employee-led review committees that evaluate grant proposals and make funding recommendations
  • Crowdsourced voting on which nonprofits or causes should receive funding
  • Participatory budgeting exercises where employees allocate a portion of the company's philanthropic budget

Social Intrapreneurship

• Social intrapreneurship refers to the practice of employees developing and implementing innovative solutions to social or environmental challenges within their companies
  • Like entrepreneurs, social intrapreneurs are creative, proactive, and willing to take risks to drive positive change
  • They often work across departments and functions to build support for their ideas and secure resources for implementation
• Examples of social intrapreneurship might include:
  • A supply chain manager who develops a new process for sourcing raw materials that reduces environmental impact and supports local communities
  • A marketing professional who creates a cause marketing campaign that raises awareness and funds for a critical social issue
  • An HR leader who designs a skills-based volunteering program that allows employees to use their expertise to support nonprofit partners
• Companies can support social intrapreneurship by providing training, mentorship, and resources for employees to develop and test their ideas, as well as by creating a culture that values innovation and social impact