Corporate Philanthropy – Benefits of Workplace Giving

As the holiday season approaches, many individuals and companies look to their communities for opportunities to give back and make a difference. At this time of year, there’s never a shortage of charitable causes to choose from—from food and supply drives to purchasing holiday gifts for children in need and everything in between. However, corporate philanthropy doesn’t have to be confined to the holiday season. Engaging your employees in workplace giving year-round numerous benefits for both your community and your organization.

LCS regularly initiates corporate philanthropy activities, donating thousands of dollars to local and national organizations and offering volunteer events for employees. In 2024 alone, LCS has participated in four charity drives so far, with the largest contribution taking place at the annual Rent Manager User Conference in Palm Springs. LCS raised $11,340 in merchandise sales for Habitat for Humanity, and our giving doesn’t stop there! We have several more corporate philanthropy activities planned to round out the year, and we’re excited to see just how much our employees give back to our community.

If your company is considering corporate philanthropy efforts, now is the perfect time to start. Here’s our round-up of the top four ways workplace giving, or corporate philanthropy, can benefit your organization.

Improve Company Reputation

Now more than ever, charitable contributions are used as a barometer for a company’s values. Participating in corporate philanthropy initiatives is an easy way to improve your company’s reputation, especially regarding employee retention. According to a survey by Fidelity Charitable, 86% of employees say it’s important to them that they work for a company whose values align with theirs. This metric is especially important for younger workers, including Millennials and Gen Z.

Corporate philanthropy can also positively impact a company’s reputation with potential clients. Companies that give back through genuine charity initiatives can see increased purchases and more brand loyalty, ensuring a strong, involved customer base for years to come.

Increase Employee Engagement

In addition to improving company reputation and enhancing employee retention, workplace giving initiatives also boost overall employee engagement and company morale. According to Double the Donation, 54% of employees who are proud of their company’s contributions to society are engaged, and as a result, are more involved, productive, and happier than their disengaged counterparts. Offering regular opportunities for employees to help give back to their communities encourages them to get involved and see firsthand how their organization can make a difference.

Cultivate a Better Company Culture

Improved employee engagement goes hand in hand with an improved company culture. Participating in corporate philanthropy activities can bring employees together for a common cause, allowing them to interact with their coworkers in ways they might not otherwise. Charity drives framed as competitions, like the LCS school supply drive in conjunction with our olympics, encourage employees to give more in the spirit of competition. When this happens, everyone benefits—from the community to the employees.

Give Back to Your Local Community

Finally, it may seem like a no-brainer that workplace giving initiatives help to improve the larger community. But it’s still important to consider the big picture beyond the dollar amount given in a donation or the number of goods dropped off at a food pantry. Corporations, especially mid-size and larger, have a network of hundreds of employees who can potentially participate in philanthropic events. If just a fraction of your employees donates to a specific cause, that engagement creates tangible benefits for the people the charity organization serves. The more often your organization participates in charitable activities, the greater the impact on the community, as well as within the organization itself. You never know—your employees or people they know may benefit directly from your corporate philanthropy activities.

Examples of Corporate Philanthropy

If you’re interested in getting involved in workplace giving initiatives but aren’t sure where to start, here are a few options that are always a good choice, including local organizations that LCS has worked with in the past.

Food & Goods Drives

Food pantries and organizations that collect non-perishable household goods for people in need are always looking for donations to help communities year-round. LCS has worked with Operation Give Back to collect school supplies for local children, Matthew 25 Ministries to donate household staples to victims of natural disasters, and the Mason Food Pantry to collect canned goods and toiletries for local families in need.

Adopt-a-Family

Around the holidays, many organizations participate in adopt-a-child or adopt-a-family events, where donors can purchase holiday gifts, household goods, and other items for families in need. Each year, LCS partners with New Path Child and Family Solutions to provide gifts for local children.

Volunteering Events

Having employees volunteer their time with charitable organizations in the community can be a great way to encourage philanthropic participation without spending money. This year, LCS team members volunteered with Brewhaus Handcrafted Dog Bones, helping their Brew Crew create dog treats and support their mission of providing work and life skills to local students with disabilities.

Charity Event Sponsorships

Sponsoring a charity event is another way for your organization to give back to the community. LCS sponsors the annual Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky Apartment Association 5k 4 Rent, raising funds for the organization’s rental assistance program. As the creator of Rent Manager property management software, this industry partnership is an annual outreach effort that helps strengthen our efforts for the local community and those within our industry.

Go Get Involved

With just a little planning and foresight, any company can follow our lead and facilitate corporate philanthropy initiatives that give back to their communities and foster a sense of pride in the company culture. With LCS’ long track record of charitable activities, we firmly believe that participating in community initiatives is the key to both employee and community wellness and happiness.

If you’re interested in working for an organization that aligns with your values and regularly makes a difference in the area, consider looking at our open positions and applying to join our team today.