What’s In It for Employees in CSR?

Marpu Foundation
Jun 20
2 min read

Why More Indian Companies Are Focusing on Employee Volunteering This Month

This month is the perfect time for HR teams and CSR managers to engage employees beyond the office walls. With rising interest in employee volunteering, companies are looking for NGO partners and CSR project opportunities that are not only impactful but also benefit employees personally and professionally.

Let’s explore what employees really get out of volunteering – and how companies can leverage this for both business and social impact.

How Volunteering Benefits Employees (and Why They Love It)

Boosts Mental Wellness: Participating in CSR activities like tree plantation, digital literacy, or beach clean-ups gives employees a break from screen time and reduces stress.

87% of Indian employees say volunteering improves their emotional wellbeing (India CSR Survey).

Builds New Skills: Activities like career mentoring, public speaking in schools, or even organising donation drives help improve communication, leadership, and project management.

65% of employees feel CSR helps them grow personally and professionally.

Strengthens Team Bonding: CSR activities double up as team-building opportunities. Shared experiences outside the workplace boost morale and internal trust.

Companies see a 20–25% rise in team collaboration after group volunteering events.

Sense of Purpose & Recognition: Contributing to causes like education, climate action, or rural development adds real meaning to their daily routine. Many companies also reward top volunteers.

Employees with purpose-driven tasks are 3x more likely to stay longer in the company.

What Kind of CSR Activities Employees Prefer

Based on Marpu’s experience supporting 300+ corporate teams across India, here are the most loved activities:

Tree Plantation Drives – team-friendly and visible impact
Digital Education Drives – engaging for tech & HR teams
Clean-Up Events – great for large employee groups
Toy & Book Donation Drives – quick, simple, and fulfilling
Career Mentoring – remote-friendly and high-impact

Pro Tip: Let Employees Suggest Causes

Start by asking employees what they care about – many want to support education, animals, healthcare, or the environment. When employees choose, participation increases by 40%.

How to Make It Work in Your Office

Offer monthly volunteering slots
Give “Volunteering Time Off (VTO)”
Celebrate top volunteers internally
Collaborate with NGOs that offer structured programs and impact reports

Final Word – It’s a Win-Win

CSR is not just about external impact anymore. It’s a powerful employee engagement tool that boosts loyalty, retention, and team culture.

To make this happen, you can collaborate with a team that already works with 300+ companies across India. An experienced NGO partner can simplify execution, provide measurable results, and tailor programs to your team.

👉 To learn more, visit www.marpu.org