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.
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:
But to do that, CSR efforts must be authentic, aligned with company values, and actively supported by leadership. More on that below.
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.
Many CSR programs fall short because they feel transactional or forced — just another item to complete during annual benefit enrollment.
To avoid this:
This isn’t about one-and-done giving. It’s about creating a culture of giving, empathy, and community.
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:
CSR is not one-size-fits-all. That’s why offering multiple formats is essential:
The goal is to create on-ramps for every type of giver — whether they have money, time, or specific causes they care about.
CSR should feel like a benefit, not a deadline. That’s why an evergreen giving model — where employees can donate or volunteer at any time — typically results in higher engagement.
If something meaningful happens in someone’s life — a loss, a disaster, a personal cause —they don’t want to wait for a campaign. An evergreen system meets them where they are. And it allows for faster mobilization during natural disasters, crises, or global events.
Giving is about more than cash. Your employees will also want to directly contribute their time, supplies, or services.
In-kind donations are often overlooked, but they can be incredibly valuable. You can donate physical items like supplies or merchandise, or you offer gift cards, hotel stays, or travel points. And don't forget donated professional services, like pro bono graphic design, professional photography, or bookkeeping.
One format doesn’t fit all, especially when a workforce can span 50 years. Generally:
Design your CSR to offer flexibility and relevance for every cohort. This boosts inclusion and participation.
We've been inspired by many companies' creative CSR programs:
These programs succeed by being bold and generous, and by aligning CSR with their brand missions.
Don't underestimate the administrative burden of donation matching, payroll deductions, and VTO. If you're using a CSR platform, look for these features:
How do you know your CSR is working? It's more than money. We recommend tracking:
And of course, track your impact metrics: meals served, diapers donated, hours volunteered, or families helped. These stories resonate far more than financials.
In times of crisis, your CSR program can be a lifeline for both employees and your community. Create the giving structure now, so you can act fast if the worst happens.
We recommend preparing:
What if you don’t yet have a CSR program? Or what if your current one feels outdated? Don't worry about crafting a perfect or impressive program. Just get started:
If you’re listening, evolving, and acting with integrity, you’ll build something meaningful.