According to Forbes, a corporate volunteer program can improve employee collaboration, increases self-awareness, and positively impacts employee happiness and retention. The article notes that it costs businesses between $15,000 - $25,000 to replace a millennial employee. By investing in a volunteer program, a company can save thousands of dollars in employee retention.1 Perhaps even more important than the effect of corporate volunteering on businesses’ bottom line is the difference it would make if they encouraged their employees to be active in their city.
There are over 200,000 businesses in New York City.2 Professionals can provide non-profits and charities with specialized skills that they might not otherwise have access to with limited budgets. If you’re eager to boost your business’s employee morale while helping out local non-profits, here are 4 corporate volunteer opportunities in NYC to get you started.
Explore Four Corporate Volunteer Opportunities in NYC
Girls Who Code
Careers in technical fields are among the fastest-growing jobs in the country. However, women make up fewer than 1 in 5 computer science graduates and are getting left behind for these opportunities. Without proper resources and mentoring, participation in computer science programs for women tends to drop off between the ages of 13-17.3
Girls Who Code intends to close the gender gap in STEM fields. With a variety of after-school clubs and mentorship opportunities, Girls Who Code helps prepare young girls for careers in science, technology, and math. Companies can get involved with Girls Who Code by becoming a Corporate Partner. In addition to yearly donations, Corporate Partners can host events, organize campaigns, and encourage their employees to advocate for female-representation in computer science.
Literacy Partners
Literacy and language skills are critical to succeed in today’s world. In New York State, an estimated 3.4 million adults are functionally illiterate, lack a high school diploma, or cannot speak English. Research also shows that 43% of adults with the lowest literacy levels live in poverty.4 Without access to the necessary language-building resources such as specialized ESL tutors and grade-appropriate books to strengthen those vital skills, it’s difficult to break the cycle of poverty and close their children’s educational achievement gap.5
Literacy Partners’ mission is to equip parents or guardians with the tools necessary to teach themselves and their children to love reading and create a better future. create success for themselves and a better future for their children. With free classes, community workshops, and educational media, Literacy Partners makes learning crucial language skills accessible for those who need it.
At Literacy Partners, networking events are one of the most important ways they engage with community members. Companies can volunteer to host or help organize a networking event to support their cause.
Autism Speaks
Autism, or autism spectrum disorder, refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal communication. Autism affects 1 in 59 children in the United States, and individuals with autism can require significant support in their daily lives.
Autism Speaks helps enhance the lives of individuals with autism and their families. They do this through advocacy and support programs, increasing awareness and acceptance of people with autism, and advancing research. Companies that partner with Autism Speaks can help improve the lives of millions of people living with autism. These opportunities include starting an Autism Speaks Walk Team, hosting workplace education events, and company volunteering.
New York Restoration Project
Working outdoors can increase happiness and energy, reduce stress and pain, and even improve memory.6 With over 1,700 parks, playgrounds, and recreation facilities, New York City provides plenty of opportunities for professionals to soak up some sun while giving back to the community.
New York Restoration Project (NYRP) recognizes the positive impact our parks can have on the health of busy New Yorkers. NYRP provides opportunities to combat pollution and conserve parks from decay, creating a more resilient and healthy city.
Company employees are encouraged to work together to plant trees, maintain public parks, and care for community gardens with NYRP.
Signing up for corporate volunteer opportunities in NYC is a great way to boost employee morale while supporting worthy causes in your company’s city. Make a difference in your community by engaging your coworkers and employees in local volunteer opportunities.
Our Sources:
1 https://www.forbes.com/sites/wesgay/2016/11/03/4-reasons-why-a-corporate-volunteer-program-is-a-smart-investment/#23bc3a133364
2 https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/smallbizfirst/downloads/pdf/small-business-first-report.pdf
3 https://girlswhocode.com/about-us/
4 https://www.nyxt.nyc/blog/key-literacy-facts-nyc/
5 https://literacypartners.org/about-us/our-mission
6 https://www.forbes.com/sites/alankohll/2018/06/25/5-data-backed-ways-working-outdoors-can-improve-employee-well-being/#3bea2a444eb8
7 https://www.nycgovparks.org/about/faq
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