Nonprofits can boast the benefits of volunteering to local firms

June 28, 2013

Nonprofits can boast the benefits of volunteering to local firms

Many nonprofits make an effort to partner with businesses in their community to help spread their message and receive support during events and fundraising opportunities. Another way organizations can benefit from teaming up with companies in their city is the fact that staff members can volunteer with the nonprofit a few times per year instead of going into work on those days.

Volunteering is good for the mind and body
Relationships between business and nonprofits has proved to be mutually beneficial as recent research from UnitedHealth Group, a diversified health and wellbeing company, found 76 percent of U.S. adults who are active volunteers reported being physically healthier, while 78 percent said they experience reduced stress. Organizations can present these statistics when looking for local businesses to engage and form lasting partnerships with.

"These findings show that the benefits of volunteering help strengthen communities and have real, measurable health benefits for the people who volunteer," said Kate Rubin, vice president of social responsibility at the UnitedHealth Group. "Employers enjoy the benefits of physically and mentally healthier employees; those that support volunteering programs in the workplace see added benefits that drive directly to their bottom line."

Business owners can build stronger teams
Decision-makers at nonprofits know just how powerful volunteering can be for businesses. Not only do these opportunities allow employees to get a day away from the office to take part in a philanthropic efforts, but they also enable people at the company to work together on something other than their daily tasks.

"Volunteering builds health outside traditional clinical settings by engaging people in activities that strengthen communities and personal health at the same time – a win-win for everyone," said Dr. Carol Simon, director of the Optum Institute.

While companies may not have a lot of time to allow their staff members to step outside the office and volunteer, helping out others is a great chance to improve employee engagement. According to an article for the Harvard Business Review Blog Network, companies can use the prospect of more volunteer hours to motivate employees. For example, top performers can be given extra days away from the office to contribute at a local nonprofit. These experiences can leave members of the workforce feeling refreshed and ready to get back to flourish in their roles.

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We’ve been a member of First Nonprofit’s Unemployment Savings Program since 2011 and highly recommend joining. The program is terrific and allows us to earn interest on our own funds while still meeting the state’s requirements on unemployment payments. In addition, the staff are great and always helpful sorting out any questions we may have. Thank you all!

NC Conservation Network, Raleigh, NC

CCSCT was approached by First NonProfit to discuss its Unemployment Savings Program and ways the program could significantly reduce the amount of unemployment taxes we were paying. At the time, our agency was paying approximately $80,000 per year. First NonProfit conducted an analysis to determine if making the switch would be in our best interest, and it clearly was based on our circumstances. The first year on the program, CCSCT saw a 70% reduction in its unemployment costs and each year, continues to experience further reductions as a result of having minimal claims. Some additional benefits of the program including having a fixed annual cost, an interest-baring reserve account, professional unemployment claims management and representation at all unemployment hearings. This has been one of the best decisions we have made.

Community Council of South Central Texas, Inc., Seguin, TX

We first started using First Nonprofit’s Unemployment Savings Program when we were a small startup nonprofit.  We didn’t have an HR department and needed expertise in the event that an unemployment claim was made.  We knew we were eligible to be a reimbursing employer, but weren’t sure how to navigate that process.  They made it easy to set things up, plan for, and then manage claims when they came at a very reasonable cost. The amount of time and stress they’ve saved us dealing with all this has been worth way more than the cost.  We’ve now grown to a large nonprofit and do have an HR department but have no plans to stop using their services.  I highly recommend them to every nonprofit I come into contact with!

CROSSPURPOSE, Denver, CO

Throughout our membership in the Unemployment Savings Program, First Nonprofit understood our demands, community dynamics, and the importance of seamless services; that allowed us to serve our constituents better.

Prevent Blindness America, Chicago, IL

Because INCS advocates for the operating conditions that allow charter public schools to provide high quality public education, partnering with First Nonprofit was an easy decision. First Nonprofit’s unemployment programs provide our member schools two operating elements crucial to their ability to provide high quality public education: savings and budget certainty. Capable, committed teachers are the key to student success. By participating in the unemployment insurance savings plan, charter public schools gain peace of mind and are able to invest more money in their teachers.

Illinois Network of Charter Schools, Chicago, IL

It has been our sincere pleasure to maintain a strong, vibrant business partnership with First Nonprofit. We greatly admire their strong industry knowledge, technical expertise, constant professionalism, knowledgeable and dedicated staff. They are always extremely responsive, personable and provide us with the necessary guidance and recommendations on a numerous variety of employment scenarios.

Thresholds, Chicago, IL

NYCON members who use First Nonprofit’s programs enjoy enduring savings and improved efficiency. Our association knows that success, because from the beginning, we achieved the same great benefits. Great savings, seamless technology, and responsive service. NYCON highly recommends First Nonprofit’s remarkable unemployment solutions.

New York Council of Nonprofits, Albany, NY

Visually Impaired Preschool Services has been a client of First Non-Profit since it was first offered as a benefit of VisionServe Alliance. We completed a thorough evaluation of cash savings to our agency before taking advantage of this wonderful benefit and it has been a very wise decision. Our experience with the processes from accounting to claims have been professional, expeditious and easy.

Visually Impaired Preschool Services, Louisville, KY