Have a corporate volunteer program? Then you're doing it right. Take it from Green Spoon Sales
Corporate volunteering isn’t just “trending” anymore. Businesses are baking volunteer programs into their ethos—and those left behind will likely feel the brunt if they don’t, too.
A recent Forbes’ article alluded to a 2017 Deloitte Volunteerism Survey, in which 89% of respondents noted companies with volunteer programs provided a better working environment. That’s no small number. So, we decided to look at the 1% for the Planet network to see how our members include corporate volunteering in their work culture.
It turns out we didn’t have to look far. Green Spoon Sales, a natural products sales agency, has been a member for nearly three years and has already recorded some of the highest employee volunteer hours toward their 1% for the Planet certification among our network. They recorded more than 1,900 hours this year alone. By using our flexible giving option, in which up to 50% of a member’s commitment can be met with employee volunteer time, the team launched a company-wide volunteer program in which all employees must complete eight paid work hours of volunteering with a 1% for the Planet Environmental Partner each year.
Kari Pedriana, co-founder and CEO of Green Spoon Sales, expressed that, “If we’re gonna do this, we’re gonna go all in, and it’s gonna be part of our ethos and what we stand on. It’s not just an add-on to Green Spoon. It’s a part of our pillar that we’re dedicated to the planet.”
Encouraging corporate volunteering from your employees
Unsurprisingly, Pedriana has found that employees are excited to get outside and clock in some volunteer time—especially with the common remote culture we live in post-pandemic. In a recent staff survey conducted by Green Spoon Sales, the majority strongly agreed that the employee volunteer hour requirement and 1% for the Planet membership make them proud to work for the company and feel more connected to their team.
Their employees are more than ready to meet with local environmental partners in their backyard. “We use it as a bonding experience and team building,” Pedriana noted. “I just think it’s so much more impactful to include that part of 1%’s offering. People are longing for experiences. And doing something and getting out of the house, like, working with others, you just don’t get that in other ways … It’s a win-win-win all around, and I’m all about it.”
Finding local environmental nonprofits to volunteer with
Since our network consists of more than 7,200 vetted environmental partners across 110 countries, there’s no shortage of nonprofits to support. Green Spoon Sales’ workplace is largely remote, with employees living everywhere from Colorado and Texas to California. As part of their corporate volunteer program, employees get to find an environmental partner near them by using the 1% for the Planet Directory. If their favorite local nonprofit isn’t already in our network, they recommend the organization to us, and our team vets and onboards them—making them an approved 1% for the Planet Environmental Partner.
This model is so ingrained in Green Spoon Sales’ work that they have a full-time employee who manages staff volunteering and helps more than 250 staff find a nonprofit they’re excited about. When chatting with Pedriana, she said, “She can really be a resource internally to help connect the team member to a nonprofit that is doing the work.”
Creating a corporate volunteer program at your business
The first step? Join the 1% for the Planet network by becoming a member. Once you’re in, your access to our global network opens the doors in terms of local connection and sustained environmental impact.
Offering flexible options to your employees—like choosing which nonprofit they want to volunteer with—drives excitement and engagement. In the same staff survey noted above, Green Spoon Sales reported that 60% strongly agreed that 1% for the Planet membership and their employee volunteer program were enhancing the company culture.
“Our team is really proud that we walk the walk,” said Pedriana. “It’s so awesome that we have the ability to fund nonprofits that are doing really important work, too, but I think it’s really important for them to see and breathe it themselves.”
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