Proud to Power Extraordinary Causes

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is not just a PR tool or seasonal effort — it’s an employee benefit that lifts your culture, leadership, and legacy. But many businesses struggle with low participation, disengaged employees, and programs that feel like an afterthought.

Whether you're launching your first campaign or refreshing your existing strategy, these 13 ideas, examples, tips, and next steps will make your corporate giving program more engaging and effective.

1. Start with a Clear Why

CSR should never be a superficial campaign. The why matters. Ideally you care about doing good in the world, but your motivation could also be practical. That's because a strong CSR program can:

• Boost brand loyalty. About 70% of consumers are more likely to buy from brands that support causes they care about.
• Improve hiring and retention. Roughly 37–46% of younger workers — Millennials and Gen Z — report turning down job offers from companies that didn’t align with their values.
• And make your company more resilient to crisis.

But to do that, CSR efforts must be authentic, aligned with company values, and actively supported by leadership. More on that below.

2. Engage Employees Early and Often

A great CSR program is not “built for employees.” It’s built with them.

When employees help shape a program, they feel seen, respected, and proud their contribution. Giving employees a say in your CSR roadmap can dramatically increase participation and enthusiasm.

Start by surveying employees. What causes matter to them? What type of engagement are they most excited about? Do they want to volunteer, donate, or compete in teams? Do they prefer to give time or money? Tailoring programs to different cohorts builds a real sense of belonging.

3. Avoid “Check-the-Box” Campaigns

Many CSR programs fall short because they feel transactional or forced — just another item to complete during annual benefit enrollment.

To avoid this:

• Tie CSR to impact stories, not just metrics
• Integrate giving into daily culture
• Highlight the why behind the cause
• Make the experience personal and flexible

This isn’t about one-and-done giving. It’s about creating a culture of giving, empathy, and community.

4. Communicate like a Marketer, Not an Administrator

Poor communication is one of the biggest killers of CSR engagement. Internal communications should feel personal and emotionally resonant, not just logistical.

Best practices include:

• Top-down communication from leadership, including “why I give” stories and videos.
• Host kickoff events that gather momentum and inspire fellowship.
• Do outreach across multiple channels, including Slack, email, intranet, and company meetings.
• Share progress updates, including goals, milestones, and thank-yous throughout the year.
• Don’t just ask people to give. Show them the impact of what’s already been done and how they can contribute.