Looking at the cost of corporate social responsibility (CSR) tools and technology might leave you wondering whether it’s really worth the investment. Even if you’re sold on the benefits of CSR, the price of legacy software options can suggest that only the largest, most profitable organizations can participate. But why is CSR so expensive, and how did we get here?
Below, we break down what you need to know about CSR expenses and unpack how you can find the best bang for your charitable buck with a purpose-built tool like Groundswell.
Many companies embrace corporate social responsibility (CSR) as a way to give back to their communities and the greater world at large. It’s the idea that organizations have a duty to do more than make a profit: they can make a difference.
CSR not only showcases your brand’s commitment to philanthropy—it can boost morale, offer valuable team-building opportunities, and improve employee engagement.
It’s common for companies to use CSR platforms to organize and execute their efforts. This can include promoting volunteer opportunities, managing employee donations, administrating donation match programs, and delivering funds to chosen charities via grants.
However, there are other types of corporate social responsibility beyond philanthropy. Any initiative that helps your organization make a positive impact on the world can fall under the CSR umbrella, including other programs like employee hardship or employee assistance funds (EAFs).
Corporate social responsibility traces its roots back to the early 20th century, but it wasn’t until the 1970s that the idea of a “social contract” was popularized. This idea emphasizes businesses’ responsibility to society, outlining the ways in which companies rely on society to be profitable and are thereby obliged to help serve society’s needs.
Today, CSR platforms are a popular choice for large organizations looking to make the greatest impact on their communities and around the world. CSR software does more than send funds—it comes with a variety of tools and functions designed to support companies looking to make an impact.
Social impact software costs have only increased since they became standard. They are generally targeted at enterprise organizations that have plentiful resources. Between data storage, security, compliance, reporting, customer support, and organizational tools, they can carry a hefty price tag that encompasses a wide range of functions.
As a result, CSR – and philanthropy in general – have historically been mostly available to organizations with the most funds to spare. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Everyone wins when social impact software that empowers organizations to focus on CSR is more accessible: nonprofits receive more support, employees enjoy more benefits, and organizations have more opportunities to engage employees.
Standard CSR software can be pricey, and it doesn’t always deliver the value you’re looking for. Platforms can be restrictive, hard to customize, and become more trouble than they’re worth. Here are some of the common shortcomings companies encounter when using some popular CSR platforms.
Some platforms can take weeks or even months to deliver your donation. Donations may be pooled until they meet a minimum amount, or they may only be distributed on a specific timeline. For some causes, like disaster relief, you want your donation in helping hands sooner rather than later. Not all nonprofits can afford to wait months to get funds. When you and your employees have worked hard to raise money, it can be discouraging to know your donation is stuck in CSR limbo.
Basic platforms may seem relatively cheap at first glance, but unfortunately, transparent pricing is far from the norm. Once you get through all the hidden fees, costs of add-ons, and customization pricing, the cost of CSR software can really stretch your budget and the fees begin to eat into the donations. Many legacy platforms include distribution fees on every grant sent through the platform, which can amount to a huge number when you're allocating thousands or millions of dollars for grantmaking.
Some CSR platforms come with a heavy administrative burden for your CSR team. Without intuitive automation capabilities, you could be left managing a laundry list of back-end tasks, like calculating employee giving and donation matching, tracking volunteer hours, reconciling monthly payroll giving, or reviewing employee hardship applications. This makes it hard not only to get the most use out of your CSR solution but also to scale your efforts as you grow.
Legacy CSR software can be overly complicated and hard to navigate. Many legacy providers have cobbled their platforms together from a series of acquisitions, leaving you with a confusing collection of logins. To get your money’s worth, it’s important to find a provider that offers an accessible, enjoyable user experience for both admins and employees. Your employees need easy access to the tools that enable them to give, volunteer, and stay engaged with your CSR initiatives, whether they're at a desk or on the go.
At Groundswell, we want to enable you to do the most good with what you have. Our platform is designed to empower your CSR teams with easy-to-use tools, intuitive automation, and user-friendly features that keep employees engaged and excited to be a part of something bigger. Plus, with both a web app and mobile app, employees can access your CSR programs no matter where they work.
Unlike most other CSR platforms, we believe in honest, transparent pricing, so you know what you can expect to pay before you get in touch. You shouldn’t need a deep wallet to make a big difference. With Groundswell, your charitable donations are delivered within 24 hours, not weeks or months.
Our built-in employee assistance funds option can help you support your most essential assets—your people—in their times of need. Help your employees navigate difficult times without relying on GoFundMe. Groundswell has everything you and your employees need to give on one accessible platform.
We can help you save more than money, too. Our platform features admin-free capabilities like automated payroll giving, donation matching, simplified grants processes, and more, taking the load off your admin team and giving you more time to focus on your most valuable work.
You don’t need to be a Fortune 500 business to make a real-world impact. Here are some ways you can reduce CSR expenses while giving more:
Groundswell is here to change the way you give. We can help you save money while making the most of your CSR efforts, but the perks don’t stop there. Groundswell’s intuitive platform has everything your CSR team and employees need in one place to get motivated, get engaged, and get giving. With automated donation matching, rapid donation distributions, and integrated employee assistance, you can take your CSR efforts to the next level.
Discover a software built to help you do the most good at a great price and watch your efforts grow. Book a demo today to get started
