Corporate volunteering
Do corporate organisations have a role to play in volunteering? They sure do. Businesses around the world are creating volunteering programs for their staff and offering experiences outside work to help build stronger, healthier communities.
Select a topic to find out more:
What are the benefits?
Benefits for volunteer organisations, government and the community include:
- Gaining access to business skills and new volunteers
- Building lasting partnerships
- Development of new projects
- Enhanced social cohesion
- More involvement in community activities
- More people with knowledge and skills
And for business:
- Staff development opportunities
- Improved team work and increased morale
- New skills training
- Enhanced reputation and visibility
- High-impact investment in a healthier community and trading environment
- Increased community awareness for staff (e.g. cultural awareness, environmental awareness) which can assist in dealing with people internal and external to their organisation
How does it work?
Businesses can partner up with community groups in many ways. And there are some great ways for a company to encourage its employees to volunteer. But it's not just about supporting volunteers to get involved; it's about building meaningful partnerships.
As a business, you need to think about what it is that you want to achieve and what kind of partnership you want to build. By understanding this, you will know what type of not-for-profit organisation you should work with.
Different volunteering activities could include:
- Team volunteering days – such as a working bee at a local school
- 'Virtual' volunteering time via work computers
- Support for skilled staff members to sit on Boards of local community organisations
- Memberships for staff to support a community group
- A staff secondment program – for example a building company could offer its staff to help out with a community building or refurbishment
Paid volunteer leave is one of the more common incentives workplaces offer their staff as part of a volunteering program. Although this is a great way to help employees get involved in volunteering, businesses need to think about the bigger picture – why they want to be involved and what outcomes they would like to achieve. A very important outcome for any business should be about building long term partnerships and sustainable programs to benefit the community.
Find volunteering opportunities
Our Advanced search page allows you to filter current opportunities that apply only to corporate volunteers. Or you can search for opportunities that target specific interests or skills.
There are also many websites that match skilled volunteers with community organisations who need more specialised assistance. These opportunities may suit both employers looking for ways to develop or expand a corporate volunteering program or employees looking for a challenging volunteer position.
Goodcompany
Register your skills and interests to be matched with a relevant organisation seeking similar services.
Skillshare, supported by Oxfam Australia
Find out about the Skillshare program and download a volunteer application form.
Pro Bono Australia – Volunteer Match
Browse Victorian based skilled or professional volunteering opportunities or search for a vacancy by category or location.
Victorian Youth Mentoring Alliance – Find a Program
The VYMA lists over 150 different mentoring programs across Victoria. Programs are listed by region and type. Find out more about youth mentoring at www.youthmentoringvic.org.au
So, want to make it happen?
Corporate organisations
Find information on how to get a volunteering program up and running in your organisation:
Volunteering Victoria – Volunteering Victoria's Employee Volunteering Program
Find introductory information for corporates looking to develop volunteering programs in their organisations. Volunteering Victoria has designed an easy and simple option for businesses and companies considering an Employee Volunteering Program – you’ll find contact details to get going here.
Volunteering Australia – Corporate Shares Community Profits, a guide to engaging corporate volunteers (PDF, 1.18MB)
Read information about engaging employees including benefits, options, tips and case studies and how to best match your staff to volunteering opportunities.
Volunteering Australia – Insurance and risk management for corporate volunteers
Information for businesses, volunteering organisations and volunteers about risk, liability and responsibility issues in corporate volunteering programs.
Volunteering Australia – Corporate Volunteering Survey
Here you will find an overview of the research conducted around corporate volunteering as well as a link to the full survey report (PDF, 2.47MB).
Employees
If you want to find more information about corporate volunteering and how you can get involved, have a look at these links below.
Volunteering Australia – Insurance and risk management for corporate volunteers
Information for businesses, volunteering organisations and volunteers about risk, liability and responsibility issues in corporate volunteering programs.
Information for volunteers – see our Volunteering through your work page.
Volunteer organisations
Find more information on corporate volunteering below:
Volunteering Victoria – Membership Section
Find information on volunteering as part of your place of employment by becoming a member of Volunteering Victoria and downloading their Employee Volunteering Manual. You will need to register as a member to access the manual.
Volunteering Australia – Insurance and risk management for corporate volunteers
Information for businesses, volunteering organisations and volunteers about risk, liability and responsibility issues in corporate volunteering programs.