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Among the various corporate citizenship programs, skills-based volunteerism is the fastest growing, with more than 50% of companies now channelling their employees’ talents towards supporting the capacity development of nonprofits. The popularity of these programs is, in large part, due to the substantial return for employee development and retention, while simultaneously driving change that is both scalable and sustainable. When there is a synergy between corporations and nonprofits, these returns are maximised.
Incorporating corporate talent in a nonprofit organisation is an intricate task. Both nonprofits and companies need to extend an arm in preparing for and managing programs to create a long-term, sustainable model for social impact. To this end, many businesses often engage an intermediary organisation to develop, clarify and manage their nonprofit partnerships. These intermediaries enable successful corporate volunteering programs by linking the right project with the right people at the right time.
Listed below are some of the main functions of intermediary organisations, which support nonprofits and corporations in building and scaling social impact.
Assessment and Matching | The first step in the process for any intermediary is sourcing nonprofit organisations. By cultivating relationships with non-profits from various sectors and regions, they create an extensive network essential for navigating the social sector. They assist nonprofits by assessing their organisations and identifying optimal areas for intervention and support. They bring assessment expertise as well as knowledge of their corporate partners. While businesses generally have a clear understanding of their core talents, they require assistance in determining how their core talents can be best utilised by a nonprofit organisation and applied to social sector challenges.
Training and Knowledge | Corporate Volunteers are often surprised at the challenges faced by the nonprofits. Even if their profile and role is similar, the nature of problems in nonprofits are strikingly different. Intermediary organisations sensitize and train volunteers to understand the context they will be stepping into. This training is crucial as it could be the difference between a deliverable that is implementable and one that exists on paper. Additionally, volunteers are provided with program specific data, knowledge resources and even digital platforms that enable them to translate their skills to design and execute pertinent solutions.
Program Design and Management | Empowered by their networks in the social sector and knowledge of corporation policies, intermediaries can customise the nature, duration and specifications of projects that are expected to be mutually beneficial. Additionally, they bring classic project management expertise. Their role encompasses an extensive list of support functions, including due diligence of the non-profits, training and sensitisation of volunteers, governance, communication and engagement. An understated function is their ability to adapt the program in accordance with small and large course adjustments. This helps absorb the impact from obstacles that threaten to delay or derail the program.
Program Impact I Intermediaries have experience in understanding and measuring the impact of CSV programs. This impact reporting covers both the business return and the breadth and depth of social impact. Not only does this data build credibility and accountability for both partners, it also helps them further refine and build their programs. Moreover, it serves as a feedback loop for volunteers who get to observe tangible outcomes from their efforts.
Intermediaries serve an active role in bridging the gap between the goals of nonprofit and corporate organisations. They understand nonprofit capacity-building needs and help corporations introduce mission-specific programs. By bringing synergistic partners together and being an accountability and program partner, intermediaries keep measurable outcomes in sight while letting both partners focus on what they do best.
~ Social Lens is a socially aligned consulting company. To know more about CSV programs at Social Lens and our virtual volunteering platform VolunteeRISE, write to us at contact@slens.co. ~
