The Era of "Social-Profit" is Now

Workplace Volunteer Programs - The Important Forprofit/Nonprofit Connection

Volunteering is on the rise. And businesses play an integral role in contributing to this trend. Companies today are moving beyond the norm of cash-only contributions to innovative solutions to engage their employees to give back and serve in their communities. Workplace volunteering is one of the many strategies businesses are utilizing to think outside the paradigm of community relations and involvement.

Today's business environment demands a heightened sense of ethics, accountability, and social responsibility. Just like the social service sector, companies also have to do more with less. But, to maintain a competitive advantage, businesses cannot afford to be disconnected from their communities, customers, clients, or employees. More and more Americans are increasing their expectations of companies to do more than just make a profit, and many are willing to hold businesses accountable for not doing so.

Workplaces — businesses small and large, health care providers, nonprofit organizations, universities, municipal governments, etc. — can and are connecting with their communities to provide real solutions. Businesses have to have better understanding of the value of integrating community service into their business plans. Many have already learned the importance of their relationship to the communities in which they do business. Ultimately, these companies know that they cannot expect to be successful doing business in an unhealthy community; and it's their responsibility to do something positive to make a difference.

One vehicle providing companies a platform to invest in their communities beyond dollars and cents, is operating a Workplace Volunteer Program. The Volunteer Center of RI is the only local resource of its kind able to connect your company to volunteer opportunties, provide training and customized assistance, offer recognition and visibility opportunities and more to help you fulfill your business objectives while helping you address diverse but critical community issues such as youth violence, disaster response, illiteracy, homelessness, hunger, frail seniors, domestic violence, teen pregnancy, and accessibility and inclusiveness.....more!

Please explore the resource and information links to the left of this page or contact Janice Pothier Pac at 401.421.6547 or jpothierpac@vcri.org.