Inspiring practices: The Global Volunteering Research Project

“Corporate Volunteering is a dynamic, global force, driven by companies that want to make a significant difference to serious global and local problems.” This statement, from the report that was released this month, couldn’t be more true.  Businesses have been the driving force spreading the culture of volunteering around the world.  The International Association of Volunteer Efforts and its Global Corporate Volunteer Council completed a two year study on the Global State of Health of Corporate Volunteering plus a study of global companies.  My favorite line from the study is “From Philanthropic to Transformational.  It really is telling how companies have changed their focus over time.  Where once, if a workplace volunteer program even existed, now the collective intellect and muscle of company employees is deployed to help NGO’s be more effective in serving their mission.  Standard Charter Bank focuses on generating high social returns and strengthening the economic health of its markets.  Telefonica employees have the opportunity to partner with an NGO of their choice to compete for funding for a project that addresses a real need.  For UPS, there is particular closeness to the community because their drivers “see the reality of life as they go into every neighborhood” so that “community is a part of our wellbeing.”  Throughout the Tata Group, volunteering is very organic, very participatory, deeply meshed in the fabric of the company.  Forty-eight companies participated in this study from six continents.  It is a qualitative look at inspiring practices and it gives much insight into the good work that companies and their employees are doing throughout the world.  www.gcvcresearch.org