By Rachel Hutchisson, CEO of Common Impact
Are you a leader looking for ways to strengthen your employees’ leadership skills beyond traditional learning and development programs? If so, it may be time to take a closer look at skills-based volunteerism (SBV).
Today’s employees are seeking opportunities to grow, sharpen their skills, and see a clear path forward in their careers. People leaders are working to answer these calls but find it challenging to determine how to deliver that development in ways that truly engage and inspire. Often viewed only as a way companies give back to their communities, SBV is also a powerful way to build your talent’s skills, leadership skills, and confidence, all while delivering real impact to the community.
The concept behind SBV is simple: match the professional expertise of employees with nonprofit projects that stretch their abilities and expand their perspectives. For example, an HR team refining a nonprofit’s employee handbook sharpens their policy recall and communication skills. IT and procurement staff advising on a new CRM selection strengthen their vendor management and decision-making capabilities. Marketing specialists auditing a nonprofit’s website not only boost engagement for the nonprofit, but also hone their analytical skills and creative problem-solving. This approach differs from traditional volunteerism because of the outsized impact the results creates. It empowers nonprofits with long-term solutions and gives your employees opportunities to apply their expertise in new ways, think creatively, and strengthen leadership skills.
SBV gives employees opportunities to:
Value their current skill sets.
It’s not uncommon for your people to lose sight of the skills they already have, taking for granted what they do every day. Putting them in situations where they apply those skills to help nonprofits gives them perspective and a renewed appreciation for the depth and value of their expertise.
Develop new skills.
Working on SBV projects with nonprofits provides your people with the chance to try out new skills. Data from ARES tells us that people who take part in these initiatives walk away feeling more likely to have opportunities to grow professionally (70%) and develop new skills at work (72%). These projects create an environment where employees can experiment with new approaches, explore tools and techniques, and pick up practical tips they can bring back to the office. When done well, SBV projects create collaborative space for skill-building that stays with employees long after the project ends.
Develop leadership skills muscle.
For those not yet in management roles, SBV offers unique opportunities to lead groups of people, build adaptability, manage nuance, and communicate effectively. The more often employees are encouraged to participate in these activities, the more confident they become as leaders, a notoriously hard competency to teach, but one that develops naturally in SBV projects where people must innovate and problem-solve quickly.
Build their networks, internally and externally.
Finally, SBV helps your people make connections, both in the companies where they work and with others in the community. Working alongside professionals from other divisions provides a glimpse into other parts of the business while creating valuable personal connections, which pay dividends when they come back into the office. SBV engagements can be designed with the company’s goals in mind. Some projects are tailored for early-career employees, giving them the chance to dive in, collaborate with peers from other departments, and gain exposure to different areas of the business. Others bring together senior employees and early-career staff, creating opportunities for mentorship and knowledge-sharing. SBV can also be structured for employees at the leadership skills threshold, providing an environment to strengthen strategic thinking, confidence, and skills so they return to their roles ready to demonstrate their leadership capabilities.
The benefits of SBV don’t stop with skill development. According to a survey of 1,200 employees who participated in Common Impact SBV projects, 96% reported feeling more positive about their employers and more likely to recommend their companies as great places to work. This speaks to SBV’s power as an engagement and retention tool. When employees see their companies investing in meaningful work that aligns with their values, their connection to the organization grows. That sense of connection is highly motivating, inspiring employees to see their workplace not just as a job, but as a place to grow and contribute. Other data from ARES points to lower employee attrition among those who serve, suggesting that the sense of purpose, skill growth, and cross-team connections developed through SBV contribute directly to stronger employee loyalty and satisfaction.
Whether you have a specific group in mind or simply want to help all your teams thrive, SBV offers a strategic way to invest in the people who power your company’s success. Well-designed SBV programs strengthen leadership pipelines, boost retention, foster cross-team collaboration, and deepen employee loyalty by connecting people both within the company and to meaningful causes. When employees feel more connected and purposeful, they experience a boost in overall well-being, and the positive impact they create in the community reflects back on your brand, culture, and long-term success.
About the Author: Rachel Hutchisson is CEO of Common Impact, a nonprofit aligning purpose-driven companies with nonprofits to propel social good. With more than 20 years of experience in corporate social responsibility, Rachel has long been a champion for the role businesses play in serving others. About Common Impact: Common Impact is a national nonprofit that fosters meaningful partnerships between purpose-driven Fortune 500 companies and nonprofits worldwide to propel social good. Since 2000, Common Impact has generated over 205,000 hours of skills-based volunteering and $62 million in resources. Common Impact is dedicated to helping nonprofits expand their capacity, improve efficiency, and deliver on their mission with customized and impactful projects through corporate partnerships. Learn more about Common Impact’s services, impact, and clients.
