In today’s socially conscious landscape, companies are no longer content to simply write checks—they want to roll up their sleeves and get involved in hands-on ways (and they want to get their employees involved, too). As a result, corporate volunteerism, or the practice of businesses encouraging and organizing their employees to volunteer in the community, is on the rise.

But how can organizations best leverage this valuable resource? In this post, we’ll explore how nonprofits can maximize the impact of corporate volunteer programs and turn short-term service days into long-term partnerships.

• What is corporate volunteerism?
• Types of corporate volunteerism programs to know
• Benefits of corporate volunteerism
• Best practices for maximizing corporate volunteer opportunities
• 5 Leading corporate volunteerism examples

It’s a win-win strategy: nonprofits gain access to skilled and enthusiastic help, while companies build stronger teams and demonstrate authentic social responsibility.

What is corporate volunteerism?

Corporate volunteerism is a business-driven initiative that encourages employees to give their time and talents to support nonprofit organizations, schools, or community efforts. It involves companies actively organizing, promoting, or supporting volunteer opportunities—whether through dedicated service days, skills-based volunteering, or ongoing partnerships with local causes.

Unlike traditional corporate philanthropy, which often centers around financial donations or sponsorships, corporate volunteerism offers a hands-on form of support. At its core, corporate volunteerism is about aligning company values with community impact—turning good intentions into tangible, real-world impact. Plus, it provides real incentives for employees to get involved with volunteering.

Types of corporate volunteerism programs to know

Corporate volunteerism comes in many forms, and understanding the different types can help nonprofits and businesses identify the right fit for their goals and resources.

Here are some of the most common and impactful kinds of volunteer programs companies offer:

Volunteer Grants

Volunteer grants, also known as Dollars for Doers, are a powerful form of corporate philanthropy that allows companies to financially support the organizations where their employees volunteer. When an employee donates a certain number of hours to a nonprofit, the company provides a monetary donation to that organization as a way of recognizing and amplifying the employee’s service.

Volunteer Time Off

Some companies offer paid time off specifically for volunteering. This empowers employees to support causes they care about during regular work hours without using vacation or personal time. It also reflects a company’s long-term commitment to community engagement. And because work commitments are generally the largest barrier preventing people from volunteering, VTO is essentially a solution to the problem.

Skills-Based Volunteering

In this model, employees contribute their professional expertise—such as IT, legal, marketing, finance, or HR—to help nonprofits solve specific challenges. This type of volunteering provides high-impact value and can result in lasting improvements for nonprofit operations. Plus, it can often be paired with additional opportunities such as volunteer grants or VTO programs, allowing their time to stretch even further.

Team Volunteer Days

Many companies organize regular service days, where the entire organization participates in volunteering together. These high-visibility events demonstrate a strong commitment to community and often make a big splash in terms of morale and impact. And some companies offer team volunteer grants, too!

Virtual Volunteerism

With the rise of remote work and digital collaboration tools, virtual volunteering has become more accessible. Employees can tutor students, provide career coaching, or help with administrative tasks—all online from the comfort of their own home or office. This model is flexible and inclusive, allowing for broader participation across locations. Not to mention, it can often be paired with volunteer grant opportunities as well.

Benefits of corporate volunteerism

Corporate volunteerism creates a ripple effect of positive outcomes for all parties involved. Here’s a closer look at how each group benefits from these hands-on initiatives:

Nonprofit benefits

1. Increased Manpower and Resources Nonprofits often operate with limited staff and resources. Corporate volunteer programs provide access to additional hands-on help, which is especially valuable for large-scale projects, events, or ongoing support. Volunteers may assist with everything from day-to-day operations to more specialized tasks, allowing organizations to increase their overall impact. Plus, VTO programs help you solve the issue of potential volunteers simply lacking the time to get involved.
2. Skills and Expertise Volunteers often bring specialized professional skills to the table, such as legal advice, marketing expertise, IT support, or financial planning. For many nonprofits, these services are otherwise out of reach due to budget constraints. Corporate volunteers provide nonprofits with the opportunity to receive high-level advice or project assistance at no cost.
3. Increased Visibility and Connections When companies partner with nonprofits for volunteer initiatives, the nonprofit often benefits from the company’s broader network. Employees’ involvement may also attract media attention, boosting the nonprofit’s visibility and credibility within the community. These connections can lead to new donors, partners, or advocates.
4. Long-Term Partnerships Corporate volunteerism can lead to more than just a one-off event. If successful, it can build a strong, long-term relationship between the nonprofit and the company. Companies might become consistent donors, event sponsors, or long-term partners who provide ongoing volunteer support.

Company benefits

1. Enhanced Brand Reputation Corporate volunteerism shows a company’s commitment to social responsibility, demonstrating that they care about more than just profits. This commitment can enhance a company’s brand, build trust with consumers, and differentiate it from competitors.
2. Improved Employee Engagement and Retention Providing employees with opportunities to volunteer fosters a sense of purpose and fulfillment. Companies with strong volunteer programs often experience higher levels of employee engagement, job satisfaction, and loyalty. After all, employees are more likely to stay at a company that offers meaningful experiences outside the office.
3. Increased Team Collaboration Volunteering as a team can strengthen relationships between employees. Whether it’s working on a community garden or preparing meals together, these activities encourage collaboration, improve communication, and promote teamwork in a non-work setting. These bonds often translate into stronger workplace dynamics.
4. Attracting Top Talent Many job seekers today are looking for more than just competitive salaries—they want to work for companies that align with their values. A strong corporate volunteerism program can be a draw for top talent, especially millennials and Gen Z workers who prioritize social impact and community involvement.

Employee benefits

1. Personal Fulfillment Volunteering offers employees the chance to make a tangible difference in their communities, providing them with a sense of personal satisfaction and fulfillment. Giving back allows employees to connect to causes they care about and see the direct impact of their efforts.
2. Skill Development Corporate volunteerism often involves tasks outside of an employee’s typical job role, giving them the opportunity to develop new skills. From leadership and project management to problem-solving and communication, volunteering provides valuable, transferable experience that can benefit employees in their professional lives.
3. Building Relationships Volunteering alongside coworkers helps employees strengthen relationships and foster a greater sense of camaraderie. These activities can break down departmental silos and lead to deeper personal and professional connections.
4. Health and Well-being Studies have shown that volunteering can improve mental and physical well-being. For employees, volunteering can reduce stress, improve mood, and increase life satisfaction. The sense of purpose that comes with giving back contributes to overall happiness.

In sum, corporate volunteerism is a win-win-win—for nonprofits, companies, and employees alike. When thoughtfully implemented, volunteer programs do far more than check a CSR box—they create lasting value across communities, workplaces, and individual lives.

Best practices for maximizing corporate volunteer opportunities

To make the most of corporate volunteerism, both nonprofits and companies need to approach the process strategically. Here are some best practices for maximizing the impact and value of corporate volunteer opportunities:

Market corporate volunteer opportunities to your supporters.

One of the most powerful ways to maximize corporate volunteerism is by effectively marketing volunteer opportunities to your supporters. Engaged volunteers often become advocates for your cause, so it’s essential to promote volunteer opportunities in a way that resonates with them.

To ensure you reach the widest audience, we recommend promoting volunteer opportunities across various channels—including email newsletters, social media, your website, and direct outreach to existing corporate partners. Tailor your messaging to appeal to the values and interests of each group, whether they’re employees looking for team-building experiences or company leaders seeking ways to give back.

Further, people want to know that their time and effort will make a tangible difference. When marketing corporate volunteer opportunities, emphasize the direct impact volunteers will have on the community. Share success stories from previous volunteer events, showing the positive change created by past corporate support.

Collect employment data from volunteers as they engage.

Collecting employment data from volunteers helps you create more tailored, effective volunteer experiences while improving future program management. This data can also be beneficial for tracking skills and assessing volunteer impact.

Get started by encouraging volunteers to provide their employing company as they register for an event (Double the Donation integrates with several leading volunteer registration platforms to make this easy as can be!). After all, knowing where they work allows you to uncover corporate volunteer opportunities such as volunteer grants, VTO programs, and more!

Encourage accurate scheduling and hour-tracking.

Accurate scheduling and hour-tracking are crucial for both measuring the impact of corporate volunteer programs and ensuring a smooth volunteer experience. By implementing best practices in scheduling, you can maintain organization and maximize volunteer engagement.

Therefore, we suggest utilizing platforms that allow employees to sign up for shifts, track their hours, and manage volunteer tasks online. These tools are often integrated with email reminders and notifications, helping employees keep track of their commitments and ensuring that no corporate volunteer opportunities slip through the cracks.

Identify top companies in your network.

A key way to maximize corporate volunteerism is by fostering partnerships with businesses within your network. Building these relationships not only boosts volunteer engagement but also creates long-term, sustainable support for your nonprofit.

Start by reaching out to businesses that you already have relationships with, whether they are your supporters’ employers, existing sponsors, or community partners. These companies may already be invested in your mission and could be eager to get their employees involved. Nurture these existing connections by offering tailored volunteer opportunities that align with both their business goals and your nonprofit’s needs. Plus, many will already have programs like volunteer grants, VTO, and more!

5 Leading corporate volunteerism examples

Many companies have developed innovative and impactful corporate volunteerism programs that have made a significant difference in their communities. These businesses not only encourage their employees to get involved but also demonstrate how corporate volunteerism can drive long-term positive change.

Here are five standout examples of corporate volunteerism programs that are leading the way:

1. Disney

Disney’s corporate volunteerism program, Disney VoluntEARS, is one of the most well-known and impactful volunteer initiatives in the corporate world. Since its launch in 1983, the program has been a core part of Disney’s commitment to community engagement. Disney encourages its employees, known as VoluntEARS, to give back through various volunteering opportunities, including through volunteer grants, paid VTO, and other employee-driven initiatives.

Over the course of the program, Disney VoluntEARS have donated millions of hours to communities around the world. This initiative has been instrumental in supporting causes related to children’s education, environmental conservation, and helping those in need.

Learn more about Disney’s corporate volunteer programs.

2. Patagonia

Patagonia has long been committed to environmental activism and corporate responsibility, and its Patagonia Action Works Program is a natural extension of this ethos. Patagonia’s volunteerism efforts focus on creating positive environmental change through grassroots activism, collaboration, and community engagement.

Patagonia encourages employees to engage in volunteer activities that align with the company’s mission to protect and restore the environment. They provide time off for activism and volunteering⁠—including a three-month paid internship opportunity⁠—allowing staff to engage in activities like conservation, environmental education, and sustainability.

Learn more about Patagonia’s corporate volunteer programs.

3. Microsoft

Microsoft’s volunteer program focuses heavily on skills-based volunteering, where employees contribute their professional expertise to support nonprofit organizations. The program leverages employees’ technical, business, and marketing skills to help nonprofits solve challenges and build their organizational capacity.

Microsoft also offers a matching hour (or volunteer grant) program, where they match employee volunteer hours with donations to nonprofit organizations, effectively amplifying the impact of volunteer efforts. Employees who volunteer with approved organizations can apply for grants through Microsoft’s giving program, further extending the company’s support to the nonprofits they work with.

Learn more about Microsoft’s corporate volunteer programs.

4. Home Depot

Home Depot’s corporate volunteerism program, Team Depot, is a testament to the company’s commitment to building stronger communities. The program allows Home Depot associates to volunteer for service projects, with a special focus on supporting veterans, communities in need, and improving public spaces.

Home Depot’s Team Depot program has helped improve thousands of homes for veterans, supported hundreds of community organizations, and provided disaster relief in areas across the U.S. The company’s volunteers have donated millions of hours to these efforts, making a significant impact on local communities.

Learn more about Home Depot’s corporate volunteer programs.

5. ExxonMobil

ExxonMobil’s Volunteer Involvement Program (VIP) provides employees with the opportunity to give back to their communities through volunteer activities, while also offering financial support to nonprofits. This program has been a cornerstone of ExxonMobil’s community engagement strategy.

Through VIP, ExxonMobil matches employees’ volunteer hours with financial donations to qualifying nonprofit organizations. This financial support helps extend the impact of employee volunteer efforts, with a particularly strong impact in areas like education, health, and environmental sustainability.

Learn more about ExxonMobil’s corporate volunteer programs.

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Wrapping up & additional corporate volunteerism resources

Corporate volunteerism offers far more than just extra hands—it provides nonprofits with access to professional skills, new networks, and powerful advocates. By being strategic about engagement, communication, and follow-up, nonprofits can transform one-time events into ongoing collaborations that drive lasting impact.

For companies, the benefits extend beyond community good—they include improved employee morale, stronger team cohesion, and a more meaningful brand presence. When done right, corporate volunteerism becomes a powerful force for change, bridging the gap between business goals and community needs.

Interested in learning more about corporate volunteerism and beyond? Check out these additional recommended resources:

• A Complete Look at Volunteer Grants For Fundraisers. Volunteer grants are an essential form of corporate volunteerism. Learn how to make the most of these Dollars for Doers with our complete guide.
• Volunteer Time Off Programs: A Smart Nonprofit’s VTO Guide. Looking to better attract and engage supporters? Volunteer time off can go a long way. Here’s what you need to know!
• Standout Strategies for Leveraging Corporate Volunteer Incentives. Take your corporate volunteerism strategy to new heights! Explore top strategies for volunteer incentives with the downloadable guide from Double the Donation.