3 Ways CSR Benefits Nonprofits

pexels-photo-1179804As a nonprofit organization, you work hard to raise funds and promote the importance of your cause or mission. So, what happens when you find out that a local corporate social responsibility (CSR) program is focusing its efforts on the realm that you’ve committed yourself to, as well? This means that people who are socially conscious and want to dedicate themselves to a mission no longer need to work for a nonprofit, but can instead expand their job search to for-profit companies that have a strong CSR program.

Today’s for-profits are under a lot of pressure to be more socially responsible, environmentally aware and philanthropic. It is because of these reasons that CSR has become such a hot topic, and companies are embracing this by supporting causes that resonate with their values.

But does this threaten nonprofits and their quest for growth?

Short answer: No!

Here’s how nonprofits and CSR work together for the greater good:

  • More funding to nonprofits: While getting that check written out to your nonprofit directly is important, a CSR program that supports your organization is an additional source of funding. We can’t argue with that! If a local for-profit business has decided that your organization’s mission supports their company values, then you can count on them as an additional source of funding. It gives you the opportunity to keep the company updated on your current initiatives and campaigns so that they can tailor their CSR program to specifically focus on your fundraising efforts.
  • Long-term partnerships: You won’t often find a CSR program that bounces from cause to cause, or nonprofit to nonprofit. The idea of a CSR program is that it is a long-term relationship between the for-profit and the charitable organization. This means that you have a partner that will ideally help support your cause and mission long into the future. As a nonprofiteer, you understand the importance of consistent funding!
  • Encouraging volunteering: It’s possible that someone may not have ever heard of your organization until their company started a CSR program centered around it, and that awareness can be enough to encourage employees to go beyond CSR and become actively involved with your mission. This could lead to more volunteers or fundraisers for your nonprofit because those employees already have a stake in your cause.

How has your nonprofit been positively affected by corporate social responsibility programs? We want to know!