Corporate Volunteering: Employer-Led

Introduction and Purpose

Corporate Volunteering is a commitment from organisations to encourage and support their employed staff in volunteering with the not-for-profit sector. Volunteering activities are varied, including fundraising for charities, provision of (un)skilled/professional labour and/or advice, environmental clean-ups, nature restoration and mentorship. The primary objective is to establish a Corporate Volunteering culture within the organisation, benefiting society and the environment (Rodell, 2013).

When planning Corporate Volunteering for biodiversity identify not-for-profit organisations focused on biodiversity goals that offer volunteering opportunities (e.g., wildlife monitoring, environmental clean-up, habitat restoration, tree-planting, creation of green spaces, building insect hotels, hosting biodiversity workshops, etc.,). Engagement with not-for-profit organisations can build stronger connections with ecosystems by involving employees directly in conservation and restoration work. These collaborations raise awareness of biodiversity challenges and provide practical knowledge about how nature can thrive with humans. Working alongside experts and communities helps employees understand the wider impacts of biodiversity loss and fosters a sense of shared responsibility for protecting natural environments.

Examples include:

The Co-Operative Group (UK) offers all employees 22.5 hours per year to volunteer with a not-for-profit organisation, including biodiversity-focused ones including Wildlife Trusts.

Starbucks offers employees the opportunity to spend some of their working week hours volunteering for a not-for-profit partner. An example of a fundraising and volunteering initiative with one of their partners, Hubbub creating 100 new green spaces for the public.

Key Features

Timeframe:

For creation and implementation is dependent on the size of the organisation, the number of employees to be engaged, and the type of volunteering being targeted. It can range from as little as 2 months to as long as 12 months.

Materials Required:

Organisational framework for the Corporate Volunteering programme, including mission statement, goals, guidelines, policies, procedures and incentives for participation
Partnerships and agreements, including lists of potential not-for-profit partners, formal memorandum of agreements and clear definitions of roles and responsibilities
Rewards and incentives such as additional time off, recognition events, certification, or promotion opportunities
Budget and resources required for delivery, including transport, food, accommodation and equipment
Communication and engagement strategy covering how the programme will be presented to employees, promoted internally and externally, and supported through surveys and registration forms to gauge interest and participation
Description of volunteering opportunities detailing types of activities, time commitment and skills required, supported by training or workshops delivered by either the for-profit or not-for-profit partner
Monitoring and evaluation framework including time-tracking, impact metrics (for example employee engagement, retention, productivity, and skill development), and processes for continuous improvement
Promotion and marketing through posters, newsletters, social media and press releases, to maintain visibility and engagement
Health and safety forms, including legal sign-off for activities, completed risk assessments, verified insurance coverage, safety briefings or training for participants, and provision of appropriate protective equipment and first aid support

Skills Required:

Project management and leadership to plan, organise, and implement the Corporate Volunteering programme.
Interpersonal and communication to outline objectives, build networks and partnerships with not-for-profit organisations, engage staff and secure buy-in from all stakeholders.
Marketing to promote the Corporate Volunteering programme internally and externally through a range of communication channels.
Training to design and deliver the necessary training to employees.
Evaluation and assessment to create and apply tracking tools that measure the programme’s impact, assess its quality and effectiveness over time and inform recommendations for improvement.
Financial and budgeting to conduct cost–benefit analyses and manage the programme’s financial resources effectively.

Potential Impacts:

Strengthened protection and restoration of biodiversity through collaboration with not-for-profit organisations and conservation programmes
Increased awareness among employees and the wider public of biodiversity challenges, along with greater engagement in actions to address them
Positive transformation in employee attitudes and behaviours towards biodiversity, fostering a culture of environmental responsibility within the organisation
Enhanced support for scientific research and policy development through employee participation in data collection, monitoring and mitigation activities
Expanded networks and collaboration between the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors, promoting shared learning and collective impact
Development of new skills and insights among employees, leading to innovation and the transfer of biodiversity knowledge and practices within the organisation.

Instructions

To implement Corporate Volunteering within an organisation, use the following steps as a guide:

Research and Planning

Identify organisational goals to be achieved through the Corporate Volunteering programme
Identify employee interests and community needs
Identify potential not-for-profit partners with relevant and appropriate volunteering opportunities

Programme Development

Outline types of volunteering opportunities available, skills and levels of participation required
Obtain buy-in from staff
Determine the budget available for organisational costs associated with the programme (e.g. staff time, training, travel, incentives)
Establish an agreement with the not-for-profit partner(s)
Ensure that all necessary health and safety checks are completed before activities begin, including site risk assessments and any required training or briefings.
Confirm that appropriate insurance coverage is in place for both employees and partner organisations, covering potential risks associated with outdoor or hands-on biodiversity work.

Implementation: Pilot

Launch the pilot programme for a defined period, involving a small group of staff from different departments
Test the structure, logistics, and communication processes of the volunteering activities
Work with not-for-profit partner(s) to clarify roles, responsibilities, and expectations
Identify any additional training needs, including biodiversity awareness or safety requirements
Measure and monitor costs, staff participation and early outcomes
Collect feedback from employees and partner organisations to assess satisfaction and impact
Finalise the agreement with not-for-profit partner(s) based on pilot findings
Establish an organisational policy and internal procedures for the Corporate Volunteering programme

Implementation: Roll-out Project to Organisation

Roll out the full Corporate Volunteering programme to all staff across the organisation
Communicate opportunities and benefits clearly through internal channels
Provide access to any required training or induction materials
Coordinate a regular schedule of biodiversity-related volunteering activities
Ensure ongoing liaison with not-for-profit partner(s) to maintain quality and alignment with goals
Monitor participation levels, biodiversity impact, and employee wellbeing outcomes
Review and update the programme annually based on lessons learned and feedback

Monitoring, Assessment and Adjustment:

Monitor levels of participation, including number of volunteers, hours contributed, and diversity of involvement across departments
Collect qualitative feedback from staff through short surveys, reflection sessions, or interviews to understand motivations, learning, and wellbeing benefits
Gather quantitative data where possible, such as participation rates, retention levels, and changes in engagement over time
Assess the impact on not-for-profit partners using both qualitative and quantitative measures, including feedback on collaboration, outcomes achieved and capacity built
Evaluate biodiversity-related outcomes, such as habitat improvements, species supported, or awareness raised through activities
Conduct reviews at regular intervals (for example, every 3 months) to identify strengths, challenges, and areas for improvement
Adjust activities, training and partnerships as required, to maintain alignment with organisational priorities and biodiversity goals
Share outcomes and lessons learned internally and with partners to promote transparency, accountability and continuous development of the programme

Rationale

Corporate Volunteering enables for-profit organisations to contribute directly to environmental and social goals while reinforcing their broader commitments to sustainability and responsibility. By partnering with not-for-profit organisations, businesses can align internal values with societal needs, creating opportunities for shared learning and collective impact. Such engagement demonstrates the organisation’s ethical orientation and supports the integration of social and ecological purpose within its operations and culture.

Benefits:

Aligns the organisation’s goals and values with those of a not-for-profit partner working for environmental or social good (Carmeli et al., 2007)
Provides a meaningful opportunity for the organisation to contribute positively to the community and demonstrate social responsibility in action (Haski-Leventhal et al., 2019)
Enhances the organisation’s public image and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) profile, supporting brand reputation and stakeholder trust (Grant, 2012)
Increases the organisation’s attractiveness to prospective employees who value ethical and sustainability-oriented workplaces (Doanh & Gadomska-Lila, 2020)
Motivates staff to think and act in socially and environmentally responsible ways, reinforcing shared purpose and organisational culture (Lin et al., 2010)
Builds new skills and experiences within the workforce, particularly in teamwork, leadership, communication, and problem-solving in real-world contexts (Glinska-Newes et al., 2021)
Participation in volunteering programmes can improve employee productivity, retention, morale, teamwork, organisational loyalty, and overall wellbeing (Chou et al., 2023; Jones, 2010; Plewa et al., 2015)

Links to Resources

Examples of organisations who can assist in creating Corporate Volunteering programmes include:

Neighbourly offer a guide to Corporate Volunteering

BeOnHand offer a guide to Corporate Volunteering

One More Tree Foundation offer a guide to Corporate Volunteering

Overview