Top 9 Activities and Event Ideas for Employee Resource Groups

In today’s workplace, where one in four employees say they don’t feel a sense of belonging, ERG events are more than just calendar fillers; they are community lifelines. Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) have become the beating heart of inclusion efforts, creating safe spaces for underrepresented voices, celebrating shared identities, and driving real change from the inside out.

Whether you’re nurturing a women’s leadership ERG, a veterans group, or a multicultural network, planning the right ERG activities can go a long way. They help people feel part of something, keep them engaged, and show that their voices count. And in remote and hybrid workplaces where team members have minimal interactions outside work, those moments of connection are crucial to instill a sense of belongingness.

From storytelling sessions and cultural events to virtual volunteering and wellness retreats, we’ve pulled together some meaningful employee resource group activities that your team will actually look forward to. These ideas are thoughtful, practical, and built to help ERGs do what they do best, bring people together and make a difference.

9 Ideas to Engage Employee Resource Groups and Keep Them Thriving

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) thrive when they’re supported with thoughtful programming, creative engagement opportunities, and activities that reflect the unique voices across your company. Whether you're part of the HR team or helping to organize internal events, investing in meaningful ERG events helps build a workplace where people feel connected and appreciated.

In this section, we’ll explore powerful employee resource group event ideas, from team-building experiences to purpose-driven activities that spark engagement and create lasting impact. Let’s dive into some of the most effective ERG activity ideas your teams will love.

1. Celebrate Awareness Months With Purposeful ERG Events

One of the best ways to make your ERG events more meaningful is by celebrating cultural, historical, and identity-based observances. These moments give employees a chance to learn from each other, share their experiences, and feel more connected at work.

Let your ERGs take the lead. Whether it’s putting together a panel for Black History Month or organizing a wellness session during Mental Health Awareness Month, these events feel more authentic when they’re shaped by the people they represent.

Key observances to mark:

• February - Black History Month 
• March - Women’s History Month‍
• May - Mental Health Awareness Month 
• June - Pride Month 
• May - Asian Heritage Month 
• October - LGBT History Month‍
• November 11- Veterans' Day

The Good Tip💡
Build an annual ERG event calendar to maintain engagement year-round. Companies like Adobe and LinkedIn empower their ERGs to host speaker series, community service projects, and global campaigns tied to awareness months. You can also visit our campaign calendar for 2025 to stay on top of upcoming campaigns.

2. Design a Collaborative ERG Impact Wall (In-Office or Virtual)

Visual storytelling is a powerful way to build community. Creating an “Impact Wall” is one of the more creative ERG activity ideas that allows members to reflect on achievements, share stories, and express their identity.

Let employees decorate a shared space with quotes, affirmations, historic milestones, or photos that represent their ERG's journey. For distributed teams, a digital version can be shared through platforms like Miro or a shared Google Jamboard.

Why it works:
It celebrates identity, raises visibility for ERGs, and helps keep their work active and impactful across the organization.

Need help planning and executing an ERG engagement event? Talk to an expert from Goodera.

3. Host ERG Volunteering Events That Create Social Impact

Volunteering is one of the most meaningful and unifying employee resource group activities. When ERGs give back to causes aligned with their mission, it builds purpose and camaraderie. Whether it’s mentoring underserved youth, planting trees, or assembling hygiene kits, Goodera offers virtual and in-person volunteer opportunities across 100+ countries in 30+ languages.

Example: A Women’s ERG might organize a career mentoring event with a local girls' nonprofit, while a Veterans ERG could partner with shelters serving homeless vets.

Bonus Tip: Make it easy. Offer a few ready-to-launch volunteering events with clear cause alignment and impact metrics.

4. Organize ERG Speaker Sessions With Changemakers

Inviting guest speakers who’ve led social change is a powerful way to inspire ERG members and encourage honest, thoughtful dialogue. This ERG event idea creates space to discuss equal opportunities, representation, and personal journeys. These sessions can be tied to observances (e.g., Indigenous Peoples' Day) or stand alone as quarterly events.

Example: Google’s Disability Alliance ERG hosted a talk with Haben Girma, the first deafblind graduate of Harvard Law, to discuss accessibility in tech.

Try this: Host a “Fireside Chat Friday” where ERGs nominate speakers from their community or invite executives to engage in open dialogue.

5. Empower ERGs Through Educational Conferences and Summits

Educational gatherings, whether in-person or virtual, are high-value ERG activities that facilitate networking, knowledge sharing, and innovation. Companies can support ERGs by sponsoring attendance at external conferences like Grace Hopper (for women in tech) or AfroTech, or by hosting internal summits where ERG members present their work and brainstorm ideas.

Example: Accenture hosts an annual “Inclusion Starts With I” summit, where ERGs lead workshops and panels.

Virtual Tip: Create a 1-day internal summit with breakout sessions hosted by different ERGs to boost engagement and cross-collaboration.

6. Plan ERG Museum Trips or Cultural Site Visits

Immersive experiences make learning more personal. One of the most engaging ERG event ideas is organizing group visits to museums, memorials, or heritage sites that reflect the ERG’s identity or cause.

This is perfect for heritage months and can include guided tours, reflection sessions, or team-building debriefs afterward.

Looking to engage hybrid teams? Consider virtual museum tours or cultural exploration sessions.

7. Spark Friendly Competition With Virtual ERG Quiz Nights

Virtual game nights are fun, inclusive ERG activities that bring teams together, especially in remote or hybrid environments. Organize themed trivia nights around heritage months, ERG mission areas, or general pop culture. Add prizes, team shoutouts, and breakout rooms to encourage interaction.

Good Tip: Use platforms like Kahoot or Quizizz to host interactive ERG events that are both educational and energizing. 

8. Support Underrepresented Communities Through Local Business Spotlights

One of the most thoughtful employee resource group event ideas is spotlighting and supporting minority-owned businesses. ERGs can organize team lunches, gift shopping events, or vendor fairs that align with their mission.

For example, your Latinx and Hispanic ERG could cater lunch from a local Latin-owned restaurant or your Women’s ERG could source holiday gifts from female-owned businesses.

Why it works:
It boosts morale, strengthens community ties, and gives members a tangible way to support causes they care about.

9. Engage ERGs With Purpose-Driven Fundraisers

Fundraising offers a unique opportunity for ERGs to rally support and amplify impact beyond company walls. Whether it’s a virtual run for Pride Month, a bake sale for a local shelter, or a donation-matching campaign, this is a great ERG activity idea that blends teamwork, awareness, and action.

Example: Johnson & Johnson’s Veterans ERG runs an annual fundraiser for Wounded Warrior Project, engaging both employees and customers.

Quick Win: Use Goodera’s platform to co-create custom fundraising or donation drives for ERGs with measurable impact.

Creating Meaningful Impact With ERG Events

Employee Resource Groups are more than just internal communities; they're powerful engines for collective growth, advocacy for underrepresented voices, and organizational change. When nurtured through thoughtful ERG events and intentional engagement, they help employees feel seen, heard, and valued.

Whether you’re just starting your ERG journey or looking to level up your existing programs, these employee resource group event ideas can spark connections, build culture, and drive measurable impact. From virtual volunteering to cultural celebrations, there’s no shortage of meaningful ways to support your ERGs and help them thrive.

Looking for expert support to plan ERG activities that matter?At Goodera, we bridge the gap between socially conscious companies and nonprofits across the globe. With a network of 50K+ vetted NGOs and volunteering experiences in 30+ languages, we help you create ERG events that engage employees and give back to the world.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is an ERG event?

An ERG event is an activity or gathering organized by an Employee Resource Group to engage members, build community, celebrate shared identities, and foster inclusivity in the workplace. These events range from volunteering and educational panels to social impact initiatives, speaker sessions, and cultural celebrations.

2. How do you promote an ERG within the company?

Promote an ERG through internal newsletters, social channels, onboarding materials, leadership advocacy, and by aligning ERG events with company-wide observances like Black History Month or Mental Health Awareness Month. Showcasing impact, creating open invites for allies, and sharing success stories from ERG activities also boosts visibility and participation.

3. What are some virtual ERG event ideas?

Some effective virtual ERG activities include:

• Online volunteering with nonprofit partners
• Virtual trivia nights themed around heritage months
• Speaker sessions or fireside chats with changemakers
• Digital storytelling through collaborative impact walls
• Virtual museum tours or cultural heritage showcases

4. What are the four pillars of an ERG?

The four common pillars of ERG programs include:

1. Community Building – Creating safe spaces for connection
2. Career Development – Empowering growth and mentorship
3. Culture & Belonging – Driving inclusion and visibility
4. Social Impact – Giving back through volunteering or advocacy

5. How do ERG events support DEI goals?

ERG events help amplify underrepresented voices, foster open dialogue, and drive meaningful action aligned with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) objectives. They create space for learning, celebration, and solidarity while encouraging allyship across the organization.

6. Can ERG events be hybrid or in-person only?

ERG events can be in-person, virtual, or hybrid, depending on team locations and goals. Many companies opt for hybrid formats, like virtual museum tours or live-streamed speaker sessions, to include remote team members while maintaining community engagement.

7. What’s a good starting point for new ERGs planning events?

Start with purpose-driven observances or awareness months that align with the ERG’s mission. For instance, organize a speaker series for Women’s History Month or a community service event for Veterans Day. Use tools like Goodera’s campaign calendar to stay ahead of meaningful moments.

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