Your organization or corporation has the potential to change the world, no matter its size or mission. Why not use that potential to change it for the better? Leaving a positive impact on your community is the beating heart of corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts. As you consider investing in CSR or begin to scale your programs, it’s wise to consider what you want your social impact portfolio to look like.
There’s no right answer here – no perfect balance to achieve or list of boxes to tick. Instead, optimizing your portfolio involves understanding what you aim to do with your CSR programs. Below, we’ll take a closer look at some essentials that you might want to consider implementing if you’re looking to build and present a portfolio that demonstrates your impact.
A typical definition of a “social impact portfolio” is a collection of investments that aim to generate both positive social change and financial returns. While the term may often be used to describe traditional investments – made by an investor looking to make a profit – it can also be understood within the context of CSR.
In this case, creating a social impact portfolio may not necessarily be about making money. Instead, it’s a CSR portfolio – a collection of the programs and projects that your organization launches to make a positive impact on the world around you.
Ideally, your portfolio should be well-rounded. It might include a mix of different types of CSR goals – economic, philanthropic, ethical, etc. – and beneficiaries. Depending on your goals for your CSR initiatives, your portfolio might also aim to:
This isn’t to say that a strong social impact portfolio can’t deliver a certain ROI, though. Investing in CSR efforts and programs can benefit companies, employees, and community organizations alike.
Building a social impact portfolio doesn’t happen overnight. It requires thoughtful planning and an approach that makes sense for your organization.
But everyone has to start somewhere. Below, we dive into some essential building blocks to include in your social impact portfolio as you scale your CSR efforts.
What it is: A collection of projects, campaigns, etc., that allow employees to donate to nonprofit organizations, typically by dedicating a certain amount of their paychecks to giving.
An employee giving program is a staple of a corporate social responsibility portfolio, and it’s not hard to see why. These programs are easy to set up and simultaneously benefit both your teams and your community.
Whether you collect a one-time donation, host a donation drive, or offer regular gifting, giving your employees a chance to directly support causes they care about goes a long way.
What it is: An employer matches the amount that an employee contributes to nonprofit organizations through their giving programs.
Through corporate donation matching, your organization can double – or triple, or even quadruple – the impact of your employees’ gifts.
With a tool like Groundswell, you can automate donation matching to save your teams time (and avoid creating undue burdens on your staff). Plus, with Groundswell’s instant donation matching timelines, you can be sure that all of your funds - both donations and matches - reach their beneficiaries within 24 hours.
What it is: A collection of campaigns, events, and activities that encourage employees to volunteer, whether it’s their time, resources, or skills.
An employee volunteer program encourages your employees to dedicate themselves to causes that align with your values – and theirs. With Groundswell, you can easily create and manage volunteer events that support local organizations.
Take things a step further by offering paid time off or flexible scheduling to allow full-time employees to give back during work hours. Or, partner with nonprofit organizations that could benefit from your employees’ expertise through a skills-based employee volunteering program.
What it is: Creating and offering grant awards to beneficiaries pursuing projects, research, or furthering a purpose that aligns with your goals.
Track the progress of the projects and groups you support to turn strategic grantmaking into a powerful reporting asset.
Grantmaking programs allow you to make a difference that’s quantifiable and tangible. Showcase the positive changes your funds have directly supported to potential investors and key stakeholders to demonstrate the value of CSR programs.
You can also leverage grantmaking as a tool for employee engagement. Offer employee donor-advised funds (DAFs) and encourage employees to take part in their own giving process.
What it is: A protocol that helps employees facing difficulties in their personal lives, such as mental health concerns, family conflict, or financial strain. Also known as an employee assistance benefit.
Not all social impact activities have to focus on nonprofit organizations. It’s also possible to make a positive impact on your community by nurturing it from within. An employee assistance program helps you do just that by giving your employees resources to help them when times get tough.
Set up an employee assistance fund (EAF) to offer grants or interest-free loans to employees who could use some extra financial support. Think of it like a safety net – when challenging circumstances arise, it’s there to catch employees and help them get back on their feet.
By investing in supporting your teams, you can improve morale, drive employee retention, and showcase your commitment to supporting your people to the world at large.
Ultimately, the contents of your social impact portfolio will depend on your goals, resources, and organization. No matter what it looks like, though, you’ll need a system for managing each program – and the portfolio as a whole.
Groundswell is the only platform that centralizes all of your social impact efforts – from employee giving to volunteering, grantmaking, and more – in one place. And, with some of the lowest fees on the market, Groundswell makes it possible for organizations of any size to get started with their social impact investments.
Make giving back seamless and stress-free by managing all of your social impact efforts for one price. Ready to get started? Book a demo with us today to learn more.
