®, an initiative of Points of Light, comes in, supporting corporate social responsibility teams through trusted benchmarking, measurement of key metrics, and connection to other leading CSR teams.
Now in its 14th year,
The Civic 50 recognizes the 50 most community-minded companies in the United States
, setting the standard for what high-quality corporate social impact really looks like. More than an award, it’s a roadmap, a measurement tool, and an annual pulse check for companies that want to lead with purpose.
If you’ve been debating whether to take the survey this year, this list might make the decision much easier.
1. Get Unmatched CSR Benchmarking to Strengthen Your Social Impact Strategy
Keyword focus: CSR benchmarking, corporate social impact strategy
One of the biggest challenges CSR leaders face is proving what’s working and identifying what’s not. Every company that completes
The Civic 50 survey receives a complimentary benchmarking scorecard
, offering a clear picture of how your programs compare to other purpose-driven companies.
With the latest updates, this year’s scorecard goes deeper than ever, helping CSR teams:
Identify gaps and growth opportunities
Strengthen employee volunteering and community engagement strategies
Set informed priorities for the year ahead
Demonstrate ROI to executives and stakeholders
Whether you’re refining a mature social impact program or building structure into a growing one, the benchmarking insights serve as a powerful planning and evaluation tool.
2. A Streamlined, More Actionable Survey Experience
CSR leaders don’t exactly have extra hours in their week and this survey gets that. The newly redesigned Civic 50 survey includes
simplified questions focused on practical, actionable insights
across employee volunteering, giving, and community engagement.
The streamlined approach gives you:
A faster completion experience
Questions aligned with the work CSR teams actually manage
Data you can turn into immediate improvements
It’s not a heavy lift and the return on that investment of time is significant.
3. Gain Access to Expanded Recognition Opportunities
Even if your company doesn’t land in the top 50 (yet!), participating gives you access to
more than 10 newly added award categories
. These spotlight innovative programs, exceptional CSR leaders, and standout impact practices across the sector.
This means companies at any stage of their journey can be recognized for excellence in corporate citizenship, even if they are not a The Civic 50 honoree.
Recognition matters. It improves visibility, boosts employer brand reputation, and reinforces your company’s commitment to community impact.
4. Elevate Your Company’s Purpose Narrative with Stakeholders
When companies participate in The Civic 50, they’re signaling something important:
We take our role in the community seriously.
For senior leaders, communications teams, and external stakeholders, the survey becomes a platform to:
Demonstrate company-wide commitment to social and community issues
Showcase leadership in corporate social impact
Strengthen trust with investors, employees, partners, and consumers
The Civic 50 is widely recognized across the corporate and nonprofit sectors, appearing on this list, or even participating in the process, strengthens your credibility as a purpose-driven brand.
5. Empower HR to Attract and Retain Purpose-Driven Talent
Employee expectations have shifted. Workers, especially younger professionals, want to be part of organizations that live their values. Participation in The Civic 50 helps HR teams:
Highlight authentic social impact programs during recruitment
Drive employee pride in the company
Increase engagement through meaningful volunteering and giving opportunities
Quantify and communicate the value of purpose at work
CSR and HR are increasingly interconnected. The survey’s insights support both teams in building a workplace where employees feel connected to something bigger.
6. Celebrate and Validate the Work Your Employees Already Do
CSR work is often behind the scenes, powered by internal champions who don’t ask for the spotlight. Participating in The Civic 50 is a moment to celebrate their contributions—whether through volunteering, community partnerships, or innovative impact projects.
Employees love seeing their company recognized for doing good. It reinforces their efforts, builds community pride, and strengthens long-term engagement.
7. It’s Free, Confidential, and Comes With Real Value…Plus a Conference Bonus
A rare combination in the CSR world: there is no cost to participate.
Here’s what you get simply for completing the survey:
A complimentary benchmarking scorecard
Eligibility for all awards (not just the top 50)
A confidential evaluation—only honorees are publicly named
Understand how leading organizations build impactful programs
Gain recognition for social impact work
Strengthen their employer brand and stakeholder trust
Whether you’re a Fortune 500 company or a rapidly growing organization, the survey is built to meet you where you are.
Final Thoughts: The Civic 50 Is More Than Recognition. It’s a Strategic Advantage
CSR leaders often juggle competing priorities, limited budgets, and soaring expectations.
The Civic 50 survey offers a clear, practical way to evaluate your impact, benchmark against national leaders, and showcase meaningful work happening across your company.
If your team is committed to deeper impact, smarter strategy, and stronger community engagement,
Prioritizing Health and Wellbeing: A Rising Trend in Corporate Culture
A fundamental shift is underway in the world of work. While salaries and benefits remain important, employees are increasingly demanding a greater focus on their overall health and wellbeing. This shift is reflected in the rising focus on “Health and Wellbeing” for Points of Light’s
honorees, an annual recognition of the most community-minded companies in the United States.
The Civic 50 2024: A Healthy Trend
For the past four years, the Civic 50 has tracked how companies prioritize health and wellbeing, both within their organizations and in their external CSR efforts. What began as a response to the pandemic has since become a core value. In 2021 and 2022, “Health and Wellbeing” ranked #4 as a cause area by The Civic 50. By 2023, it climbed to #3, and in 2024, it reached #2, signifying a deeper commitment to community health. This increased focus is also demonstrated by a rise in Civic 50 honorees working intentionally with teams responsible for “Employee Health and Wellness”; growing from 80% of honorees integrating with that business function in 2022 to 84% in 2024.
Why the Shift?
This trend is driven by several factors:
Increased Awareness: The pandemic and recent world events have highlighted the importance of physical and mental health.
Employee Expectations: Employees now expect employers to prioritize their wellbeing, both inside and outside the workplace.
Social Responsibility: Companies recognize their role in contributing to a healthier society.
Challenges and Opportunities
The 2024 Civic 50 report reveals a strong focus on addressing critical health challenges. Companies are stepping up to invest in training and development programs to combat the global health worker shortage, ensuring communities have access to qualified healthcare professionals. They’re also supporting initiatives that mitigate the health impacts of climate change, recognizing the growing threat to public health.
Additionally, companies are increasingly providing resources and programs to address mental health concerns, acknowledging the importance of mental wellbeing for both employees and communities. Access to safe water remains a critical issue, and The Civic 50 honorees are partnering with organizations to improve water quality and access in underserved communities.
The report also highlights a commitment to tackling chronic diseases. Companies are supporting research and programs focused on the prevention and management of conditions like diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Finally, there’s a growing emphasis on addressing health inequities. By tackling social determinants of health and promoting health equity, these companies are working to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to live a healthy life.
exemplify this commitment to health and wellbeing. UnitedHealth Group’s Diversity in Health Care Scholarship program, for instance, supports the next generation of diverse healthcare professionals. PDS Health is actively involved in community health initiatives, and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts demonstrates its commitment through its annual day of service and ongoing programs.
The Mental Health Benefits of Volunteering
The Civic 50 also highlights the growing alignment between CSR strategies and employee health and wellness. Companies are increasingly recognizing the link between volunteering and improved mental health.
In today’s world, loneliness and social isolation are significant concerns. The
reports that 50% of adults experience loneliness, with even higher rates of non-belonging in the workplace (64%) and local communities (74%). These feelings can negatively impact mental health, productivity and overall wellbeing.
Volunteering offers a powerful antidote. It provides opportunities for social connection, fosters a sense of purpose and improves mental and social wellbeing. Workplace volunteer programs can strengthen team bonds, combat isolation and create a more inclusive and supportive work environment.
Learn More and Invest in Wellbeing
Prioritizing health and wellbeing is no longer a trend; it’s a necessity. By investing in their employees’ wellbeing and supporting community health initiatives, companies can create a more engaged workforce, improve productivity and contribute to a healthier society.
To learn more about how companies are leading the way in community engagement and social impact,
.
Points of Light can help your company develop and implement impactful employee volunteer programs that promote health, wellbeing and social responsibility.
honors the most community-minded companies in the nation that are leading the way across four dimensions: investment of resources, integration across business functions, institutionalization through policies and systems, and impact measurement. The 2023 honorees top the charts on all fronts, and there’s much to learn from them.
4 key CSR insights from The Civic 50 to bring back to your organization:
1. Financial Generosity
In terms of financial and in-kind donations, The Civic 50 honorees have gotten more generous over the years, contributing an average of .55% of revenue in 2023 (up from .34% in 2019). By comparison, data from CECP find that most U.S companies, on average, donate the equivalent of .18% of revenue. Not every organization will have equal capacities for generosity, but you can explore more intricate approaches to philanthropy.
2. Internally Oriented Programming
The Civic 50 have steadily increased the percentage of employees participating in internal company volunteering, such as employee resource groups and green teams, from an average of 33% in 2019 to 54% in 2023. Conversely, lockdown and other factors reduced the average percentage of The Civic 50’s employees involved in external volunteering, such as packing meals at a soup kitchen or serving on a nonprofit board, from 40% to 31% during those same five years.
3. Strategic Integration of Community Efforts
Community engagement has become more central to business management. The percentage of The Civic 50 honorees that discuss community engagement in corporate board meetings has steadily increased from 86% in 2019 to 98% in 2023. Similarly, 2023 is the first year in which a majority of The Civic 50 honorees leveraged community engagement to support each of the 11 major business functions, including purchasing, skill development and marketing. The takeaway: corporate social impact is at its best when it is fully integrated with business operations.
4. Commitment to Social Justice
The percentage of honorees that focused their community involvement on civil/human rights, equality, equity and inclusion increased from 24% pre-pandemic to 52% in 2021. It’s now at 60%, making social justice that number one cause area. Similarly, the percentage of The Civic 50 that formally consider the diversity of board and staff in selecting partner nonprofits increased from 44% in 2021 (the first year this data was available) to 64% this year. If the increased attention to social justice (and disaster response during the pandemic) has reduced focus on other cause areas, it appears to have done so only modestly. Research has shown that both your employees and the general public care more than ever about not only whether but also how your organization takes a stand.
The Civic 50 honorees demonstrate deeper and more sophisticated corporate social impact. Learn more about how to take your company’s strategies to the next level by downloading the full
One of my proudest work memories is not of a regular day on the job but of a service project I participated in. An hour or so into painting classroom walls, my supervisor pulled me aside.
“You draw, right?” she asked.
I said yes, and before I knew it, I was sketching the school mascot on the gym floor. Four years later, I still treasure the amount of responsibility I was given that day.
Volunteering can be a life-changing experience and an important chance for employees to build new skills. Plus, it’s a great way for your company to get involved in the communities where it does business. Not only can this activism demonstrably help community members and causes, but it can help the company’s social impact goals and potentially even its bottom line.
The data support the need for civic engagement and volunteerism in the workplace. According to Points of Light’s
on civic engagement, two-thirds of Americans believe companies should be involved in social issues. And more than half the public and 67% of small business owners agreed that
should take a stand on social issues. Consumers expect companies to act directly rather than asking customers to take action, and they will gauge the selflessness of a company’s efforts by the way it treats its employees.
But how do companies encourage employees to volunteer their time? The key is to build a culture of giving. Demonstrate that civic engagement and social good are priorities for your company. Here are five excellent approaches that will further engage your staff in volunteer work.
Not everyone can afford to volunteer off the clock, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want to give back to their community. Including paid time off for volunteering – or the option to volunteer on company time – in your company’s benefit packages is a great way to show your staff that you care about them and the community.
According to the
– a recognition of the 50 most community-minded companies – also offered paid time off to volunteer. It’s clear: the more socially conscious companies tend to support their employees more in their social engagement efforts.
2. Communicate about volunteer opportunities.
If your employees aren’t volunteering, it may be because they don’t know where to start. Communication is the first step. Let your staff know if you offer paid time off for volunteering, and be sure to advertise upcoming service projects.
But think beyond bulletin boards and emails because different people consume information in different ways. Make announcements during meetings. Post opportunities on social media. Show videos of past service projects to get employees excited. Make signing up easy, and discuss carpooling or other transportation options that alleviate the burden of driving.
See how Daily Point of Light Awardee Danielle Williams helps match Bank of America employees for mentorship and support.
3. Assign leadership roles.
Volunteering is a great way to build skills and take on more responsibility. Plus, extra responsibility gives employees a sense of pride and ownership over their work.
Nominating a volunteer coordinator is a good place to start, but there are also ways to give volunteers leadership roles. Determine your employees’ strengths and draw from those skills for leadership opportunities. Here are just a few examples:
Ash draws cartoons in her spare time, so you invite them to create coloring pages for the after-school program with which your company partners.
Sebastian’s kids have food allergies, so you ask him to make a list of allergy-friendly suggestions for the company food drive.
Fatimah spent several years as a camp counselor, so you make her a team leader at your annual beach cleanup.
With a little creativity, almost anything can become a leadership opportunity
“Pressure and expectation for companies to be socially responsible has never been higher. Points of Light’s research offers some insights into those expectations and can help business leaders identify where to start as they align employee engagement and retention with CSR and talent development programs.”
— Katie Stearns, chief global corporate solutions officer at Points of Light
4. Offer a variety of options.
If all your company’s volunteer efforts focus on physical labor like painting or gardening, some workers are sure to be unable to take part. From reading with kids to coding websites, there’s a volunteer option for everyone. Employees can even partake in skills-based volunteering, using their accounting or translation skills to help a nonprofit organization or specific cause.
As you put together volunteer opportunities, it’s also important to consider employees’ different schedules. When planning volunteer events, include a balanced mix of daytime, evening and weekend events. And consider volunteer projects that can be completed in a day or over the course of several months. This approach can help your employees feel accomplished and motivated.
Check out
to search hundreds of thousands of in-person and virtual volunteer opportunities around the globe.
5. Record and reward good deeds.
Don’t let your staff’s hard work go unrecognized. Tracking and rewarding volunteer hours is a great way to make volunteers feel appreciated and encourage other employees to join in.
Financial compensation is an obvious reward if your company has the means. Taking volunteerism into account when awarding raises, promotions and bonus pay will really demonstrate your company’s commitment to the community. You can also reward top volunteers by making a donation in their names to the nonprofits of their choice.
“We all know that what is celebrated is replicated, which is exactly why recognizing and celebrating your volunteers is key to inspiring other employees to get involved. A volunteer recognition strategy is a path to communicating impact, boosting participation, shining a spotlight on causes, and reinforcing your company’s commitment to community.”
— Katie Stearns, chief global corporate solutions officer at Points of Light
Personal thanks: Handwritten thank-you cards or personalized emails with photos taken of them while volunteering can boost volunteer morale.
Public recognition: Designate a Volunteer of the Month spotlight or highlight your top volunteers’ accomplishments in the company newsletter or social media.
Special meals or outings: Host a special banquet, picnic or activity night for employees who volunteer.
Volunteer appreciation day: Dedicate a day to honoring the volunteers at your company. Set aside time to publicly award certificates or plaques to your top volunteers.
Encouraging employees to volunteer may take some concerted effort, but the benefits to your company, staff and community are well worth it. Once you establish a culture of giving at your company, volunteering will become second nature to your employees, and your collective impact will support your community’s ability to flourish.
This post was originally written in 2016 by
Sarah Landrum, founder of
Punched Clocks
, a site dedicated to sharing advice on navigating the work world, and has been updated by Points of Light to include new research and resources.
CSR Awards to Benefit Your Company’s Reputation and Attract Top Talent
If your company has successful corporate citizenship and social impact programs, it needs to be recognized! External recognition can enhance your reputation, attract the best talent, and foster a robust company culture. Not sure where to start? Check out the list of CSR awards below!
gather the world’s best creative work from across the commercial design, advertising, production and craft disciplines to be judged by more than 400 global creative leaders, practitioners and innovators. Their categories span the full spectrum of disciplines, including social good with “Impact” and “Future Impact” awards.
, an initiative of Points of Light, recognizes the 50 most community-minded companies in the nation each year as determined by an annual survey administered by True Impact. The Civic 50 honorees are selected based on the four dimensions of their community engagement and social impact programs: investment of resources, integration across business functions, institutionalization through policies and systems and impact measurement.
honor and celebrate the achievements of forward-thinking companies and individuals that have applied the assets of their business to create positive social and/or environmental impacts. Categories include: Social Impact Change Maker, Transformative Partnership, Eco Innovator and Innovation Amplifier.
, ACCP acknowledges and celebrates corporate citizenship professionals who serve as beacons of excellence in their field. ACCP recognizes individuals each year with the following designations: Champion for Change, Trailblazer, Rising Star and, new for 2023, Corporate Social Impact Team of the Year.
to recognize and honor leading public-private partnerships (P3s) that improve communities and the world. Inaugurated in 2014, the award seeks to highlight leading practices and actionable insights in the P3 arena.
, D CEO and Communities Foundation of Texas, are proud to honor professionals and organizations in the Dallas Fort Worth area from the nonprofit world that make a positive and efficient impact on the community, while celebrating the efforts of corporations and business leaders that support and collaborate with local nonprofits.
showcases brands that communicate and demonstrate brand purpose. Brands That Matter honorees don’t just recite corporate vision statements or management talking points; they have achieved relevance through cultural impact and social engagement, and their branding authentically communicates a brand’s current mission and ideals. Brands from around the world—including the largest multinational conglomerates and small-but-mighty companies—are encouraged to apply.
reward businesses, NGOs, charities and social enterprises of all shapes and sizes around the world, that are blazing the trail for purpose-driven sustainability and ethical leadership. They recognize leaders who are achieving practical, real-world impact that is both scalable and replicable – and who have inspiring stories to tell.
are the world’s leading awards celebrating leadership in sustainable business. It’s more than acknowledging excellent sustainability strategies. The Responsible Business Awards recognize those that are truly having an impact on business, society and the environment – delivering a new blueprint for business in the 21st Century.
FAST COMPANY MOST INNOVATIVE COMPANIES
DEADLINE: Not yet announced; likely in September 2023.
has been the definitive source for recognizing the organizations that are transforming industries and shaping society. Last year, Fast Company recognized more than 400 organizations with this prestigious honor, from the largest companies in the world to small startups with just a few employees. With innovation more important than ever this year, Fast Company is looking forward to recognizing the organizations that are moving the world forward. Categories include: corporate social responsibility and social good, among many others.
THE DRUM AWARDS FOR SOCIAL PURPOSE
DEADLINE: Not yet announced; likely in October 2023.
The
celebrate the people and brands, making a positive contribution through responsible marketing. These awards are truly global, and open to teams and companies from anywhere in Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa or the Americas.
are one of North America’s highest honor for corporate social initiatives and cause marketing and showcase successful consumer engagement and employee engagement efforts. These CSR, cause marketing and corporate social impact awards focus on initiatives in which brand purpose and social impact intersect to help build a better world and the bottom line.
recognize the most innovative and impactful corporate citizenship programs from businesses, chambers, and associations of all sizes. Any business entity may nominate itself, or a third party may also nominate a business, Chamber of Commerce, or trade association.
’s recession probability models forecasted a 100% chance of a U.S. recession over the next 12 months. A 100% chance. Like checking our weather app and seeing, “100% chance of rain,” we seem to have reached a point of inevitability in knowing that a storm is coming. The only questions left up for debate are:
when, how bad
and
have we properly prepared to weather the storm?
In times of economic uncertainty and recession, many companies will feel tempted to pull back on their social impact strategy to concentrate on shoring up profits. Of course, profit — in good times and bad — is where any discussion of companies’ responsibilities
should
start, but corporate social responsibility (CSR) can actually support the bottom line. As Points of Light expressed in a recent open letter to CEOs in
, prioritizing investments in social impact strategy during a recession is a critical responsibility that benefits employees, customers, community and stakeholders.
In today’s competitive job market, job seekers are increasingly considering a company’s social impact strategy when deciding where to work. According to our
, companies with a strong CSR reputation experience higher levels of employee satisfaction and loyalty. Employees want to work for companies that align with their values and make a positive impact in the world. By prioritizing CSR, companies can differentiate themselves and attract top talent.
The companies most vulnerable to cuts in their social impact strategies are typically the ones that have not embraced and embedded good corporate citizenship into their corporate DNA, so how can you assess the stability and viability of your social responsibility programs?
as a framework to understand your current state and a road map to make improvements around your company’s CSR initiatives and community-based engagement. This framework is broken down into four dimensions: investment of resources, integration across business functions, institutionalization through policies and systems and impact measurement. Companies that have developed strategies across these dimensions have CSR and purpose initiatives that are better positioned to survive — if not thrive — during challenging times like a recession.
Here are the four principles of The Civic 50 and guiding questions that help align your company’s social impact strategy:
1. Investment
Are the investments you are making in your CSR initiatives in alignment with your company’s core business? Is your company utilizing all the different resource types it has at its disposal beyond just traditional financial giving such as in-kind contributions, traditional and skills-based volunteering, and pro bono offerings?
2. Integration
Does your company integrate its community engagement and social impact programs throughout its business functions and interests? How does community engagement and social impact show up in each of your business departments? Is community engagement a standing agenda item on all staff and board meetings?
3. Institutionalization
How has your company institutionalized its community engagement and social impact programs through organizational policies, systems and incentives? Does your company have volunteer time off and matching grants? Has support of CSR and community engagement initiatives become a part of department or individual goal setting, reviews and recognition?
4. Impact
Have you defined social and business impact outcomes for your community engagement and social impact programs? Do you have a measurement, reporting and communication strategy for those outcomes that includes decision-makers and decision-influencers at your company?
While a “100% chance” of recession brings a foreboding sense of certainty about what lies ahead, it also brings clarity. Recessions can often take everyone by surprise, but we’ve been talking about this one for months. We have time to prepare for this storm. Taking the time to understand how weather-proof your social impact strategy is an important first step through tools like The Civic 50. Now more than ever, businesses need to be saying “yes” to their social responsibilities. It not only matters to those people and communities most vulnerable during a recession but to the long-term success of your business once the storm has passed and the sun shines again.
5 Reasons to Apply for The Civic 50, Our Corporate Citizenship Award
, a recognition program that celebrates the 50 most community-minded companies in the nation, as determined by an annual survey administered by True Impact. For more than 10 years, this corporate citizenship award program has served as benchmarking tool and platform for sharing best practices in the corporate citizenship sector.
The True Impact survey is based on Points of Light’s Corporate Civic Engagement Framework that creates a roadmap for companies committed to using their time, talent and resources to drive social impact in their business and communities. The Civic 50 honorees are selected based on the four dimensions of their community engagement and social impact programs: investment of resources, integration across business functions, institutionalization through policies and systems and impact measurement.
Here are five reasons to apply for our corporate citizenship award.
by Points of Light, up to 40% of job applicants are attracted to employers that have a strong commitment to social responsibility. This is particularly true for Gen Z employees, who place a high value on working for companies that make a positive social impact. In a
by Deloitte, 71% of employees said that they would be more likely to stay with their current employer if it were more involved in social and environmental issues.
By actively participating in corporate volunteerism and showing your workforce that the company cares about more than just profits, you can both cultivate these values within your current employees and attract new hires who share these values.
and keep people interested in volunteering can sometimes feel tiring. What better way to get employees more involved with the civic work your organization is doing than to show them what’s been accomplished so far?
Individuals are often eager to join a cause when they feel it has momentum and impact. And keep in mind that some of your employees may not even know what your company is doing to better the world. The Civic 50 is a great opportunity to promote your work and get more team members engaged.
3. Showcase Your Organization’s Work
The Civic 50 report highlights the awarded companies’ investments in social impact, integration with the community, institutionalization of civic work through organizational policies, systems and incentives, and impact outcomes. Highlighting these specific benchmarks can show your employees, your clients and other stakeholders the breadth of what you’re doing – rather than keeping your program’s achievements vague or narrowly focused on one or two areas.
4. Get Stakeholder Buy In
According to Points of Light’s global civic engagement research released in April 2022, 82% of respondents believe companies play a critical role in addressing societal challenges. If your clients or customers don’t know what you’re doing to create change in their communities, you may be missing out on valuable brand loyalty. While this corporate citizenship award doesn’t exist for profitability and business success, The Civic 50 is undoubtedly an excellent tool for marketing the values that your company is working so diligently to uphold.
5. Stay on Track with Your Goals
The Civic 50 is, above all, inspirational for company leaders. Pushing to meet certain goals that can set you up to receive this corporate citizenship award, seeing what other organizations are doing and noting trends in corporate social impact work can help you stay relevant and tuned-in to what’s working… and what’s not.
If you’re just shy of meeting a particular goal, The Civic 50 award can help motivate the team to keep going. If your employee engagement program needs a refresh, you might find ways you can rework your structure or your goals, based on what other organizations of your size or in your industry are doing.
Don’t wait to apply to become one of
this year. Head over to our website to stay up to date on all the latest news, understand the application process, and get application deadlines. And when you need support with your employee volunteer program’s structure, benchmarks or opportunities, consider partnering with Points of Light’s
and the news was sobering. UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated in his forward, “As the world faces cascading and interlinked global crises and conflicts, the aspirations set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development are in jeopardy.” Some thought leaders suggested that based on current levels of action, attitudes and shifting priorities, we could not reasonably expect to achieve these goals for another 60 years beyond 2030. This expectation must be challenged.
When the SDGs were originally announced in 2015, the business community rallied as champions, including many of Points of Light’s partners. More than 50% of the companies Points of Light supports and partners with signed on to the
, a public commitment to advancing the SDG agenda that asked companies to “…first do business responsibly and then pursue opportunities to solve societal challenges through business innovation and collaboration.”
Since this time, the expectations for companies have only grown. According to Points of Light’s
released in April 2022, 82% of respondents believe companies play a critical role in addressing societal challenges.
So what needs to be done? Points of Light suggests a return to fundamentals. When the SDGs launched, Guterres stated, “It simply is not possible to attain the SDGs without a wide range of people engaged at all stages, at all levels, at all times” and called for increasing community-based engagement for success to be achieved.
For Points of Light, the fundamentals of corporate community engagement are represented by
. Since it was launched in 2012, The Civic 50 has provided a framework for community-based engagement and good corporate citizenship. This framework is broken down into four dimensions: investment of resources, integration across business functions, institutionalization through policies and systems and impact measurement. Companies that are building their strategies across these dimensions have better fundamentals and are well positioned to achieve their social impact objectives, including those defined by the SDGs.
Investment: How the company strategically invests its resources in community engagement and social impact activities through volunteerism, financial giving, in-kind contributions, civic engagement and advocacy.
Integration: How the company integrates its community engagement and social impact programs throughout its business functions and interests.
Institutionalization: How the company institutionalizes its community engagement and social impact programs through organizational policies, systems and incentives.
Impact: How the company measures the social and business impact outcomes of its community engagement and social impact programs.
. This report not only recognizes the 50 most community-minded companies in the United States as determined by the above dimensions, but it also provides a great indicator for the overall state of corporate community engagement.
The data in this year’s report suggest that the challenges of the last two years have dampened some aspects of the community involvement of the country’s best corporate citizens, The Civic 50, and grown other aspects.
Overall corporate giving is down, but contributions as a percentage of revenue are up. In aggregate, companies represented by The Civic 50 contributed a total of $2 billion in cash and $1.8 billion in-kind to societal causes. These figures are not only less from pre-pandemic levels but less than 2021. On the other hand, contributions as a percentage of revenue increased. As the global economy faces headwinds related to inflation and other disrupters, we will continue to pay attention to the impact this has on the critical investment needed in social causes areas.
External volunteering has not returned to pre-pandemic levels, but internal volunteering is higher than ever. Across companies represented by The Civic 50, 22% of employees participated in external volunteering activities and engaged in 5.8 million hours of volunteering, compared to 40% and 10.5 million hours in 2019. What is encouraging is that we are continuing to see high levels of internal volunteering, with 48% of employees participating in activities like employee resource groups, green teams and more. This is up from 33% in 2019 before the pandemic.
One hundred percent of The Civic 50 companies reported significant efforts in integrating their community engagement into business functions. Community engagement is best served when companies share accountability across business functions. This responsibility must extend beyond expected departments, like Human Resources and Corporate Social Responsibility, and into departments and functions, such as marketing and PR, purchasing and procurement, research and development, sales and more.
Impact measurement is still a challenge. The Civic 50 report showed that even the country’s top corporate citizens are struggling to consistently measure the social and business impact outcomes of its community engagement and social impact programs. This challenge was mirrored in The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2022, where the report cited that despite some progress, serious data gaps persist in SDG monitoring.
The fundamentals may not be easy, but as The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2022 shares the outputs and outcomes of the world’s collective efforts, it is important to cross-reference it with reports like The Civic 50, which track the inputs of corporate efforts toward community engagement. The trajectory of business as a societal leader is without question, and we want a promising future for our planet and its people to be without question too.
The 2022 Points of Light Conference Offers Education, Inspiration and Connection
In a world of conferences, webinars and workshops, Points of Light works hard to ensure that our events are more than relevant. They’re designed to empower and instill a sense of purpose. You’ll leave with a sense of determination and tools to help turn your vision into reality.
The Points of Light Conference is an annual gathering that many in the sector eagerly await. That’s no accident. Each year, we reflect on our history, turn to former attendees and a host committee made up of local leaders to help shape the content and experience
for feedback, examine what worked and what didn’t, and put together a fresh agenda that speaks to the current state of the world. We work to ensure our conference is always a high-value proposition to companies and organizations that are leaders in corporate social responsibility.
Get ready to reimagine, revitalize and recommit as the 2022 Points of Light Conference begins. Here are a few of the benefits you can look forward to.
Content Tailored to Your Needs
While there’s no shortage of divisive topics in our world today, the Points of Light Conference is centered on creating meaningful dialogue and respectful conversation. We value authentic and dignified approaches to listening and learning, and we’re eager to hear from experts in the field about recognizing, addressing and removing bias.
For instance, the Civic Talk entitled “Bold Moves” will address head-on racial equity, hate and barriers to the complex issues that communities face. Our conference speakers will share their methods for championing social change and spreading solutions using popular platforms.
There’s also the Service Summit, which will explore models of national service. From the AmeriCorps shared agenda to creating pathways to employment in the public sector, our speakers—including Michael D. Smith, CEO of AmeriCorps, and Dalila Wilson-Scott of Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation—will dive into the countless shapes and forms that national service takes throughout the world.
Concrete Strategies and Inspirational Stories
We know that hearing stories of both successes and failures from top leaders can help inspire other leaders. There are those “aha” moments that conference attendees experience simply by listening to speakers share their experiences. Don’t miss the “Nailed It” Stage and Luncheon, where a few brave individuals will share their remarkable results… and big mistakes!
We also believe that people are most empowered when they’re given specific strategies they can implement in their spheres of influence. That’s why our speakers are preparing presentations with tangible takeaways for you to actually use in your day-to-day life.
Speakers like Glennon Doyle and Tara Schuster will not only acknowledge the landscape of activist burnout, but present ideas for deep self-care. In the “Oxygen Masks On! Caring for Ourselves and our Communities” they’ll be talking through small, practical actions you can take in your ongoing efforts to care for yourself and your community.
Key Connections Build Your Network
As we resume an in-person conference format, you’ll have many opportunities to network with others in and outside your field. You’ll mingle with others who are passionate about the causes you’re championing and find mutually beneficial connections.
We’re hosting a variety of workshops with topics like “Antiracism 101,” “Leveraging Trust in Communications” and “Economic Mobility and Equitable Policy and Practice.” Here, you’ll have the ability to share ideas, ask questions, talk through hindrances in your work and get valuable insights to help you break through them.
We encourage you to forge connections with other conference attendees, exchange contact information and find ways you can collaborate with complementary efforts and resources.
Welcome to the 2022 Points of Light Conference
We’re thrilled to kick off this year’s Conference and honored that you’ll be joining us. These three days are bursting with inspiring speakers, creative solutions, rich conversations and powerful opportunities for the future of our collective impact.
To the global leaders across the nonprofit, corporate and government sectors… to those new to their careers in the social sector… to the seasoned C-level executives… and to everyone in between: welcome to the 2022 Points of Light Conference. Let’s get started.
CSAA Insurance Group: Supporting Community Safety During Disaster
By Roger Hancock, Manager of Community Affairs, CSAA Insurance Group, a AAA Insurer.
This year’s Northern California wildfires burned more than 600,000 acres – the largest wildfire in California history. The fires were devastating, resulting in the destruction of numerous structures, the displacement of thousands of residents, and several fatalities. While first responders met the wildfires head-on, volunteers also played an important role, providing comfort and counsel for those at risk of losing everything.
CSAA Insurance Group’s award-winning corporate volunteer program, AAA Volunteers, empowers and motivates employees to address diverse community needs through volunteer service. In response to the wildfires, employees volunteered to take time from their normal job duties and daily routines to contact impacted customers. These calls helped confirm that those who were forced to evacuate or prepare for displacement were safe and had the information they needed to provide for themselves and their families. Within a single week, more than 4,000 calls were made to individuals impacted by the fires.
While our employees are always looking for ways to give back, it is in times of urgent need that we often receive an overwhelming number of requests from our staff to help out. Any one of us could need help in an emergency, so we all want to be there for those who do.
In addition to the phone bank, employees volunteered to provide on-the-ground assistance at evacuation shelters and local assistance centers. While customers await news about their home and family members, AAA Volunteers are often there to provide a cup of coffee, share a stuffed animal for a child, or offer a sympathetic ear. These simple gestures of kindness can have a profound effect.
In anticipation of catastrophe-related needs, employees who deploy for emergencies receive up to 80 hours of paid time off to volunteer, and help position skilled labor, supplies and other critical resources before disaster strikes. In addition, training on personal preparedness, including courses in First Aid and CPR, is also available.
As demonstrated during the recent wildfires, as well as during other natural disasters, anyone can be impacted by catastrophic events. AAA Volunteers play a critical role in response and recovery, and provide for the safety and stability of our communities.
Last year, 99 percent of the employees at CSAA Insurance Group volunteered, largely because service is the cornerstone of the company’s community involvement efforts, and all of the company’s outreach programs are built around employee volunteerism.
Our employees tell us they choose to give back because they find the experience meaningful and rewarding. AAA Volunteers provides each of them with the opportunity to find ways to make a lasting difference, and know that they are contributing to something important.
Roger Hancock is a volunteer manager with more than 30 years of leadership experience creating and managing award-winning national corporate volunteer programs. He has managed the “AAA Volunteers” program since 2003, is a past-president of the Volunteer Centers of California, and has served under two governors on California’s Volunteer Service Commission.
Committed to serving AAA members for more than 100 years, CSAA Insurance Group offers AAA-branded automobile and homeowners insurance in 23 states and the District of Columbia
