Community Involvement Study

For more than 25 years, the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship has periodically updated its Community Involvement Study. This study explores shifting trends in employee volunteering, corporate giving, and other means of corporate community involvement.

Context

The period of this study included a worldwide pandemic punctuated by widespread demonstrations for racial justice. Inresponse to these societal disruptions, companies mobilized to meet immediate needs in their communities and many began a process of reflection and action to address long-term, systemic issues that contribute to inequality.

Key Findings at a Glance

• Volunteers = Engaged employees: Of the 51% that measure the connection, 96% of companies find that employees who volunteer are more engaged than peers who don’t volunteer.
• Shifting issue priorities: Firms moved beyond “business as usual” to prioritize basic needs and diversity, equity, and inclusion in their community involvement programming.
• Increased flexibility: Virtual volunteering is now the most popular type of volunteer program offered and more types of employees are eligible for workplace giving programs.
• More collaborative partnerships: The most common changes made by corporate givers in response to the pandemic involved easing grant restrictions.
• Longer term giving: The past 18 months have seen many multi-year commitments in support of urgent societal issues, with a maximum amount given of $2.5 billion.

Methodology

Where do these findings come from? Learn more about the methodology and demographics for this study.         

This report is made possible through the generosity of UPS.

SAMPLE FINDINGS FROM THE 2021 REPORT: