What We've Been Reading...

In keeping with the theme of National Volunteer week, here at Charities Review Council we have been reading about volunteering and the building of a vibrant culture of philanthropy. Here are just a few articles that we wanted to share with you:

Why Fundraisers Should Never Take a Volunteer for Granted: Volunteers and Fundraising Go Together Like Jelly on Toast by Joanne Fritz

There are many ways to become involved in the work of a nonprofit by giving your time, talent and treasure. This articles reinforces the important role that volunteering can play for the success of a nonprofit organization, noting that “87% of people who support cherished causes do so with both time and money, and 43% say that the causes they give to are also often the same ones where they volunteer.” The author subsequently urges nonprofits to remember this connection when designing volunteer experiences. Do you prefer to volunteer with an organization first before donating?

The Role of Core Values in Creating a Culture of Philanthropy by Lee Neel

This article highlights the key role of an organization’s core values in successfully generating a culture of philanthropy. The author defines a core value as a “principle that defines and guides an organization’s internal conduct as well as its relationship with the external world.” The article then goes on to detail the process of identifying core values and the crucial role of leadership in implementing an organization’s core values. What are the core values of your favorite nonprofit that resonate most with you?

Inspiring The Next Generation Workforce: The 2014 Millennial Impact Report by The Case Foundation and Achieve

This report explores how a company’s cause-related engagement influences a Millennial’s employment decisions and the subsequent culture of philanthropy that is emerging. With around 80 million Millennials currently living across the United States, they are poised to represent half of the workforce by 2020. The authors note that “[i]t’s not enough for a company to talk about their corporate social responsibility endeavors to gain public relations points. To create a culture of cause work that inspires better Millennial recruitment and retention, companies must offer employees meaningful opportunities to give, get involved and connect.” Do you enjoy participating in volunteer opportunities with your colleagues?

What have you been reading lately? Let us know if you come across an article or resource that you find particularly inspiring or educational!