How do your corporate giving efforts compare?

The health benefits of volunteering have been brought to light. According to a study released this year by the Corporation for National and Community Service, people who volunteer have greater longevity, higher functional ability, lower rates of depression and fewer incidents of heart disease.

But, corporate health, too, can be improved through volunteer efforts. Many executives quoted on the pages of U.S. Business Review mention community service efforts in the same breath as  revenue gains – which indicates that many companies recognize that corporate giving can be just as valuable as corporate growth.

In a report published in June by the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy, charitable donations were up by 4.7 percent in 2006.

Many corporate cash and in-kind gifts were in response to natural disasters around the world. In fact, 13.5 percent of donations went to charities overseas, compared to 10 percent in 2005. The report noted that many corporations are directing their giving efforts to emerging markets, such as China, India and Eastern Europe.

However, corporate giving should be about more than breaking out the checkbook. Involving the entire organization – from the top down – helps foster a culture of community involvement.
“Philanthropic outreach should be an integral part of the corporate culture and value system,” Prudential Chairman and CEO Art Ryan said in a statement. “In addition, corporations should put programs in place that encourage and support employee volunteerism.”

Early this year, more than 35 CEOs from Fortune 500 companies met as part of National Corporate Philanthropy Day – which is Feb. 28 – to discuss philanthropic priorities and best practices. The consensus, according to a report, was that in order for employees to engage, a commitment to corporate philanthropy must be part of a company’s culture. Additionally, global expansion requires a focus on engaging employees on a local level, the CEOs determined.

There are multiple ways for companies to get involved in the community. With Halloween and the holidays around the corner, now is the perfect time to start. Local schools, hospitals and shelters are likely to host holiday fundraisers or volunteer events for the next three months. Be hands-on and encourage everyone from top executives to entry-level employees to participate.

If you’re not sure where to start, the Hands On Network (www.handsonnetwork.org) can help direct you to a local affiliate. The organization’s more than 60 Hands On Action Centers partner with more than 12,000 nonprofits and schools across the country.

Whether it’s a donation of money, business skills or time, building a corporate culture of civic participation promotes a healthy community, healthy employees and a healthy business. So what are you waiting for?