Discover proven strategies to transform your corporate volunteering program by engaging C-suite executives and senior leadership
The panel explored effective strategies for engaging executives in corporate volunteering and ensuring enduring employee participation. Key takeaways highlighted the necessity of aligning volunteer opportunities with executives' goals, availability, and overall company strategy, while also utilizing executive assistants and support teams to gather insights on preferences and priorities.
Executives can engage through various models, such as board service, skill-based volunteering, short-term visible roles, and program sponsorship. Each of these avenues offers unique ways to make a significant impact. Innovative formats like hackathons, pro bono projects, and competitions can enhance engagement and visibility.
To maintain ongoing participation, it's essential to onboard new executives, provide impact dashboards, acknowledge contributions, and develop progressive involvement pathways. Connecting volunteering programs to the corporate mission, values, and strategy guarantees that they endure despite changes in leadership.
Globally recognized signature events, such as Caring Month, foster shared experiences, while local site leaders customize initiatives to meet community-specific needs, empowering executives to champion programs, motivate employees, and mentor emerging leaders.
In summary, the discussion underscored that strategic, prominent, and well-supported executive engagement significantly boosts both community impact and employee involvement.
Q: How do you prepare executives for volunteering opportunities?
A: (Speaker 0):
It’s crucial to align volunteer opportunities with executive schedules, goals, and the broader company strategy. Working closely with executive assistants and support staff helps gather information in advance. This enables co-creation of engagement plans that suit both the executive and the organization.
Q: How do you guide executives to choose the right type of engagement?
A: (Speaker 2, Tina):
We focus on matching the executive’s interests with impactful opportunities while balancing team priorities. For example, at Dropbox, we use a mix of multi-year giving and skills-based volunteering. Hack Week allows employees to work on nonprofit projects like improving marketing, UX design, or cybersecurity. Executives can support these projects, creating alignment between leadership engagement and community impact.
(Speaker 1, Kenrick):
Leaders’ priorities fall into three categories:
- Maximizing impact through skills (e.g., board service or pro bono initiatives).
- Time-scoped, highly visible engagements (e.g., judging pitch competitions).
- Serving as champions or sponsors of programs to inspire employees and mentor future leaders.
Q: What are some creative formats for executive volunteering?
A: (Speaker 1, Kenrick):
- Hackathons or “Hack Weeks” that connect employees and nonprofits on short-term, high-impact projects.
- Business-aligned pro bono initiatives like finance teams supporting small businesses.
- Signature events or competitions that allow executives to be visible and inspire participation.
Q: How do you sustain executive engagement over time?
A: (Speaker 0, Alissa):
- Offer new executive onboarding and training on volunteer programs.
- Maintain high-touch service for executives, providing real-time data and dashboards.
- Design graduated involvement pathways for leaders to start small and grow their participation.
(Speaker 4, Xene):
We use a three-part dashboard approach:
- Identify a dedicated point of contact in the business unit.
- Define clear goals and metrics for the unit.
- Encourage executives to adopt a nonprofit partner for long-term impact.
(Speaker 2, Tina):
Peer recognition and spotlight awards for employees and leaders help reinforce engagement, including recognition up the management chain.
(Speaker 1, Kenrick):
Aligning volunteer initiatives with corporate strategy ensures sustainability even if executives change roles. Programs connecting to mission, vision, values, and employee engagement remain relevant over time.
Q: How do you engage executives across different geographic locations?
A: (Speaker 4, Xene):
Ford has a global “Caring Month” in September where all employees, including executives, participate in volunteer activities. This serves as a signature, grounding event.
(Speaker 1, Kenrick):
At PayPal, local site leaders sponsor 25% of community initiatives to address regional needs. Place-based impact ensures executives support local nonprofits that best understand their community.
Q: Why is executive sponsorship important?
A: (Speaker 0, Alissa):
Executive sponsorship catalyzes initiatives, inspires employees, and amplifies program visibility. Champions can model purpose-driven behavior and mentor future leaders, expanding the reach and impact of volunteer programs.
