United Way Is Your Partner for Corporate Social Responsibility
Posted by: Jessica Heil, Communications and Online Engagement Manager
Attracting and retaining talent has long been a topic of discussion in the Berks County business community. Did you know that partnering with United Way of Berks County to develop a strong Corporate Social Responsibility program is one of the best ways to help a company foster loyalty among its employees?
What is Corporate Social Responsibility?
Although the terminology may be new, CSR isn’t a new concept. For nearly 100 years, companies in Berks County have partnered with United Way to give their employees the opportunity to make the greatest impact with just one charitable gift.
Through this model (we call it workplace giving), hundreds of thousands of individuals have contributed millions of dollars to help United Way tackle our community’s most critical issues. In more recent decades, companies have developed year-round engagement strategies in partnership with United Way, allowing employees to participate in the annual Day of Caring, The Big Cheese and other volunteer opportunities.
The Impact of Young Professionals
Although local companies have been supporting the nonprofit community for decades, the driving force behind that support has shifted to the employees themselves, and Millennials are leading the charge.
A 2017 survey by Povaddo showed that 77% of Millennial employees are more likely to continue working for a company that empowers them to make a difference in the causes that matter most to them. 71% are more likely to increase their overall level engagement at work. With Millennials poised to make up 75% of the workplace by 2025, it’s more important than ever that companies align themselves with organizations that address societal issues and give their employees the opportunity to follow their passions for making a difference.
CSR Opportunities Through United Way of Berks County
Partnering with United Way of Berks County is the best way to meet your company’s CSR goals:
- Run a United Way Campaign. United Way’s 2019 goal is $10.9 million. Those funds will be invested in 50 programs and services at United Way Agency Partners, distributed through grants and used to support initiatives like Ready.Set.READ!, FamilyWize prescription discount cards, and 2-1-1.
Encourage younger employees to join to Emerging Leaders United. United Way’s Emerging Leaders United (ELU) affinity group is engaging young talent through professional and personal development, volunteer opportunities and social events. In the past year, ELU members have participated in 60 activities, including Dale Carnegie training and “Leading the Way through Conversations and Connections,” which brings together ELU members and leaders for small group conversations around professional goals and aspirations.- Connect with the Volunteer Center. United Way’s Volunteer Center can connect your employees to hundreds of volunteer opportunities throughout Berks County. Search online, participate in Day of Caring or The Big Cheese, or request a customized experience.
- Learn more about United Way. United Way’s work focuses on the areas of Education, Financial Stability, Health and Safety Net Services. Through these focus areas, we touch the lives of 100,000 Berks Countians each year.
If your company would like to learn more about how you can partner with United Way to engage employees and retain talent, contact Alicia Hartman at 610-685-4577 or aliciah@uwberks.org. Together, we can make a difference in Berks County.