community involvement study 2023
2
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT STUDY 2023
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Since 1995, the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship has
conducted the biennial Community Involvement Study. In the time since
this study was last conducted, trends in corporate giving and employee
volunteer practices and participation have shifted.
Community involvement initiatives continue to
be important for engaging employees and
connecting to communities. This important facet
of business enables companies to address
pressing issues in our operating contexts.
Empirical research has found that the benefits of
community involvement initiatives bear out in
the following ways:
• Companies that engage in giving and volun-
teering can be seen as generous, community-
oriented, responsible corporate citizens. Their
commitments to social and environmental
issues can build customer loyalty and attract
new customers.
1,2
• Employees are often proud to be associated
with a company that contributes positively to
society. This can boost morale and job
satisfaction and can help attract and retain
talent.
3,4
• Corporate philanthropy can be particularly
meaningful to employees when they are able
to participate directly, such as through
volunteer opportunities or matching donation
programs.
5,6
• Corporate community involvement can help
foster stronger relationships with the local
community and contribute to its well-being.
7,8
This can create a more supportive and stable
operating environment for the company and
its employees.
• Commitment to the community can help
mitigate business risks. This can potentially
reduce the likelihood of community opposi-
tion and regulatory scrutiny by providing an
insurance-like reputation protection in the
event of a crisis as stakeholders who are
engaged with the firm proactively are more
likely to address concerns to the company
directly rather than directing complaints to
third parties.
9,10
• Community involvement can help companies
create the conditions necessary for their own
long-term success.
11
For instance, philanthrop-
ic initiatives that support education can help
ensure a future skilled workforce.
