Workplace volunteer programs have long been part of companies’ brand management and community relations strategies, but what do they offer the workers who actually perform the volunteer work?
A lot, as it turns out, from helping refine their skills to bringing a sense of purpose, of satisfaction, and a sense of empowerment as change agents in their communities, according to research from Ares Management.
Ares unveiled its key findings Sept. 20 in a new white paper, Philanthropy, Purpose and Professional Development: Why Workplace Volunteer Programs Matter, and discussed them on a special LinkedIn Live event presented by Ares and WorkingNation, which you can watch below.
Watch, and you’ll hear from Michelle Armstrong, head of philanthropy at Ares Management, elaborating on the research’s findings about workplace volunteerism and why Ares employees are so passionate about giving back to their communities.
Lee Fabiaschi, VP of employee engagement and community impact at Ares also shares insights into the company’s own workplace volunteer program, Ares in Motion (AIM) and how the company intends to grow the initiative.
Listen in as Joseph Fuller, co-head of the Project on Managing the Future of Work at Harvard Business School talks about the hidden benefit for employers who sponsor community-based volunteerism for their employees. He and Asha Varghese, president of Caterpillar Foundation discuss the incredible value these programs have on building skills for employees, particularly Gen Z workers.
Rounding out the panel is Angela F. Williams, president and CEO of United Way who shares what she’s learned about the impact on the community when a company – big or small – invests in their employees who live and work there.
The conversation is moderated by Ramona Schindelheim, editor-in-chief of WorkingNation.
Watch the LinkedIn Live event below.
Read the full report: Philanthropy, Purpose and Professional Development: Why Workplace Volunteer Programs Matter
Watch the Ares Management video that accompanies the report below.