How to Double Your Volunteer Effectiveness in Social Causes 

Peter was an eight-time convicted felon¹ when I first sat across from him inside the Washington County Jail. With criminal charges ranging from attempted burglary to possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, Pete (as he prefers to be called) told me he wanted to change but didn’t know how to assimilate into society.

Pete was released from the prison system four months later, determined to stay out of jail for more than six months. He said this was the longest he had been released during the last seven years. I chose mentor to Pete as a volunteer for the Resource & Reentry Center, a non-profit organization, and have done so for more than four years.

Peter and Stanton, Summer 2010

During this time, I realized that most corporate employers want to see their employees succeed in their volunteer efforts and will help fund their causes.  About 65 percent² of Fortune 500 companies match employee donations.  That number is even higher for MBA graduates from the University of Notre Dame.  Eight of the 12 of Mendoza’s largest recruiters during the 2012-2013 academic year are willing to match donations to educational institutions.

In some cases, these companies will also match these cash gifts to registered non-profit groups.  For example, Bank of America will double – up to $5,000 per person each calendar year – employees’ contributions.³ This one company alone garners more than $25 million in matching gifts annually.

Even more dollars can be given wholly by organizations that look to its workers for direction on how to disburse hundreds of thousands in contribution funding.  Another bank, Wells Fargo, gives more than half a million dollars each year where its employees volunteer⁴. Beginning in 1978, this program allows employees to nominate their organization for gifts ranging from $1,000 to $25,000.  In addition to cash awards, select employees are allowed time away from work (for up to four months) with full pay to contribute their personal talents in finding solutions for the greater good.

Many graduating MBAs want to involve themselves with social causes.  However, too many push this desire to a time when they consider themselves more established and settled.  Here are four steps one can take to create selfless practices during the first year of post-graduation employment:

1: Determine Where to Volunteer

Selecting a worthwhile cause you believe in will have the largest impact on your success as a volunteer.   Jim Cunningham, associate director of graduate business annual giving at the University of Notre Dame, said most people say they will contribute tomorrow⁵. Sadly, he continued, those tomorrows never arrive because it is always tomorrow.

Organizations such as the United Way and VolunteerMatch  have been created to determine key needs in varying communities.  You can search opportunities in their databases to find a link between your interests and contributable skills.

2: Make Donations that Will Make an Impact

Not all charities and social impact organizations are created equal. Throwing dollars at a problem is a good way to squander funding and foster waste and dependency. For example, a CNN report accused the Florida-based, non-profit Kids Wish Network of using less than three percent of its actual raised dollars toward its intended goal⁶.  The June 2013 report alleges the company raised more than $127 million during a 10-year span and sent $109 million to corporate sponsors.

Active participation is the most effective method in understanding the actual impact of a social organization and its needs. The Apostle Paul said it best in his epistle to the Philippians, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”⁷

3: Seek out Corporate Assistance

As referenced above, the majority of large, successful corporations are willing to match your donations and some are even willing to fund based on volunteer efforts.  One's direct supervisor, the company handbook, and the public relations department are great resources to ask for guidance on what each specific organization contributes by way of social impact.

When looking at contributing to schools, Cunningham said Notre Dame has created a robust database of employers who do contribute matching gifts⁵.  This site, matchinggifts.com/notredame, lists Notre Dame’s tax ID number and offers a search function to look up donation limits and contact information for more than one thousand companies.

4: Communicate Impacting Results

People love hearing a compelling success story. It often inspires and motivates us to continue on a worthwhile path.  These accomplishing stories may also encourage one's colleagues to serve alongside him or her in the same cause.

Peter and his new wife, Kawena

In this same spirit, I would like to report that Peter is a shining example of hope for the Resource & Reentry Center.  While his improvement is far from perfect, I am pleased to relate Pete’s success in his time since the Washington County Jail in 2010.  He married his high school sweetheart in 2011, who also found employment and is now a manager.  Pete said he plans to name their first child Blessing, because that is how he feels about his new life since his positive transformation.

Stanton Roseman

Notre Dame MBA '14

¹  http://www.utahsright.com/charges.php?first=peter&last=bartley&search=1

²  http://doublethedonation.com/matching-grant-resources/matching-gift-information/

³  http://about.bankofamerica.com/en-us/global-impact/matching-gifts-features-and-eligibility.html

⁴  https://www.wellsfargo.com/about/csr/team/

⁵  Personal Interview, March 28, 2014, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA

⁶  http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/13/us/worst-charities/

⁷  Philippians 4:8