Why Giving Back is So Good

Tanya Merisier, Account Supervisor at PRLab

With Giving Tuesday right around the corner, I thought we might look at how companies are giving back to their communities. Companies that give back reap many benefits beyond the feeling of self-accomplishment. Investing in local communities creates long-lasting relationships with organizations and members of that respective community. This enables a company to promote its business, network with other corporations, and gain new customers.

It also creates motivation within the company. Research has indicated that employees who have good experiences with volunteer opportunities at their workplace are more likely to recommend the company to others and to put in extra effort on the job. Therefore, giving back creates a better relationship not just with consumers, but with employees. Companies are more than just their products and their services, and giving back is more than just donating to charitable organizations.

For example, Deloitte and Salesforce are two companies who understand the benefits of giving back and encourage it.  Deloitte has executed more than 1,000 pro bono projects in the last few years. Each year the company has an “Impact Day,” where time that is usually used for client service is directed toward community service. In addition, Deloitte administers events like golf tournaments that benefit charities and foundations in the local areas.

Salesforce, who is number one in Fortune’s “The 50 Best Workplaces for Giving Back,” gives its employees one week off per year specifically for volunteer activities, in addition to their regular paid time off and holidays. One employee said, “Personally, it provides me with a greater sense of purpose when I come in each day.”

(Source: Salesforce.org, 2017)

Deloitte and Salesforce are just two of the many companies who are trying to create change in our communities. However, if we are going to affect change in our communities, we as individuals must contribute as well. As members of our communities, should take active roles in helping each other. So, what will you do to show how good giving back can be?