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Employer-supported volunteering (ESV)

Posted on by Philip Webb

Employer-supported volunteering (ESV) is a type of corporate social responsibility (CSR) program in which companies encourage or enable their employees to volunteer during working hours. This means that employees are given paid time off to volunteer for a cause or organization of their choice, either individually or as part of a team.

ESV is a win-win situation for both companies and their employees. For companies, ESV can help to improve their corporate social responsibility credentials, enhance their reputation, and boost employee engagement and loyalty. For employees, ESV can provide an opportunity to give back to the community, develop new skills, and enhance their personal and professional development.

Some examples of ESV initiatives include:

  • Organizing team volunteering events, such as cleaning up a local park, serving food at a homeless shelter, or mentoring disadvantaged youth.
  • Providing employees with paid time off to volunteer with a charity or nonprofit organization of their choice.
  • Offering skills-based volunteering opportunities, such as providing marketing or IT support to a nonprofit organization.

Overall, ESV is a great way for companies to make a positive impact on society, while also providing employees with valuable opportunities for personal and professional growth.

If  you are interested in learning more or how IIC can help, please contact a member of our team today: info@investorsincommunity.org

 

Regenerate response

Let’s look at environmental, social and governance (ESG)

Posted on by Philip Webb

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) are three factors that are used to evaluate the sustainability and ethical impact of a company’s operations.

Environmental factors refer to a company’s impact on the natural environment, including its use of natural resources, greenhouse gas emissions, waste generation, and other forms of pollution. ESG investors look for companies that prioritize sustainability, reducing their environmental footprint, and implementing green initiatives.

Social factors refer to a company’s impact on society, including its relationships with employees, customers, suppliers, and the broader community. ESG investors look for companies that have a positive social impact, such as those that treat their employees fairly, have diverse and inclusive workplaces, and contribute to their communities.

Governance factors refer to a company’s system of management and oversight, including its board of directors, executive compensation, and internal controls. ESG investors look for companies that prioritize good governance practices, such as transparent reporting, strong risk management, and independent board oversight.

By considering these three factors, ESG investors aim to identify companies that are well-managed, financially sound, and have a positive impact on the world. ESG investing has gained popularity in recent years as investors increasingly prioritize sustainability and ethical considerations alongside financial returns.

If  you are interested in learning more or how IIC can help, please contact a member of our team today: info@investorsincommunity.org

 

5 Ways Businesses can support their Communities (and how it helps your marketing)

Posted on by Philip Webb
  1. Volunteerism: Encourage employees to volunteer their time and skills to local charities or events. This can include organizing a team volunteering day or allowing employees to use company time to participate in community events.
  2. Sponsorship: Consider sponsoring local events or charities that align with your business values or goals. This can provide positive exposure for your business and demonstrate your commitment to the community.
  3. Donations: Make monetary or in-kind donations to local organizations or charities that align with your business values or goals. This can include donating a portion of sales to a specific cause or setting up a donation drive for a local charity.
  4. Collaboration: Look for opportunities to collaborate with other businesses or organizations in your community. This can include co-hosting events or partnering on a community project.
  5. Education and Training: Offer education and training opportunities to members of your community, such as workshops or mentorship programs. This can help to build relationships and establish your business as a valuable resource in the community.

How it helps your marketing: Supporting your community can have a positive impact on your marketing efforts. By demonstrating your commitment to the community and aligning your business with local causes, you can build a positive reputation and create strong brand associations. This can lead to increased customer loyalty, positive word-of-mouth referrals, and a competitive edge in the market. Additionally, supporting local causes can provide opportunities for media coverage and social media exposure, further amplifying your message and impact.

What is Social Regeneration?

Posted on by Philip Webb

Social regeneration refers to the process of revitalizing and improving social systems and structures in a community or society. It involves addressing issues such as poverty, inequality, social exclusion, and other challenges that can lead to the deterioration of a community’s well-being and quality of life.

Social regeneration initiatives can take many forms, such as investing in education and job training programs, improving public infrastructure and services, fostering community engagement and participation, and supporting local businesses and organizations. The goal is to create a more inclusive and equitable society where everyone has access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.

Successful social regeneration requires collaboration between government, private sector, and civil society organizations, as well as the active involvement of community members themselves. It requires a long-term and sustained effort, as the root causes of social problems are often complex and deeply ingrained. However, the benefits of social regeneration can be significant, not only for individuals and communities but also for the wider society as a whole.

If you would like to find out more please visit: https://investorsincommunity.org/

The importance of measuring, auditing and verification of ESG

Posted on by Philip Webb

Measuring, auditing, and verifying environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices are crucial for several reasons:

  1. Transparency: ESG reporting enables companies to communicate their sustainability practices, risks, and opportunities to stakeholders, including investors, customers, employees, and regulators. By being transparent about their ESG performance, companies can build trust and credibility with stakeholders and improve their reputation.
  2. Risk management: Measuring and auditing ESG practices can help companies identify and mitigate ESG risks, such as environmental pollution, human rights violations, or supply chain disruptions. By managing these risks, companies can protect their financial performance and reputation.
  3. Opportunity identification: Measuring and auditing ESG practices can also help companies identify opportunities for sustainable growth, such as reducing energy consumption, improving supply chain efficiency, or enhancing diversity and inclusion in the workplace. By capitalizing on these opportunities, companies can enhance their long-term value creation.
  4. Compliance: In some cases, measuring and verifying ESG practices is mandatory under local regulations or voluntary sustainability standards. By complying with these requirements, companies can avoid legal and reputational risks and demonstrate their commitment to sustainability.

Overall, measuring, auditing, and verifying ESG practices are essential for companies to enhance their sustainability performance, manage risks and opportunities, build trust with stakeholders, and comply with regulatory and voluntary standards.

Charities can now apply for an award of up to £5,000 from the Matthew Good Foundation as Grants for Good fund increases by 50%

Posted on by Philip Webb

Hull, UK: The Matthew Good Foundation has increased the amount it will award through its established Grants for Good programme from £10,000 a quarter to £15,000. All shortlisted charities will receive higher amounts, and the award for the winning recipient each quarter will go up from £3,500 to £5000.

 

The Matthew Good Foundation is a charitable foundation, funded by the John Good Group. Their mission is to amplify small or local charitable causes, whose work is often unseen and underfunded, yet delivers high value social impact. They do this through a wide range of grant making processes, including grassroots project funding and an employee giving programme for the John Good Group. The Grants for Good fund launched in January 2021 and was the first initiative from the Foundation that invited organisations to apply to them for funding.

Initially, the programme awarded £10,000 a quarter to five causes, shortlisted by a panel at the Foundation. Foundation members – who are all employees of the John Good Group – then voted for their favourite to decide who got the largest share. The winner of the vote received £3,500, second place £2,500, third place £2,000 and fourth and fifth place £1,000. This process would be completed every quarter, meaning that annually, £40,000 was awarded between twenty different causes.

For 2023, the Foundation has increased its annual Grants for Good fund by 50% to £60,000, with £15,000 awarded each quarter to five successful applicants. The winner of the members vote will now receive £5,000, second place £3,500, third place £2,500 and fourth and fifth place £2,000 each.

Previous charities with successful applications include R;pple Suicide Prevention – a charity developing technology to intercept searches for potentially harmful online content, The Bank – a new community hub in West Hull, and Clean Planet – a team of trained divers using their skills to remove ghost gear from their local coastline.

The first organisation to be shortlisted and win the vote was Harry’s Hat, a charity founded by the family and friends of Harry, a baby diagnosed with hydrocephalus (water on the brain), with the aims of raising awareness, offering support to affected families, and funding research to improve outcomes. Caroline Coates – co-founder and newly appointed CEO of the charity reflects on the impact of winning the award, “From my personal perspective launching the charity meant sharing our own personal and difficult story, after-all Harry is my son. We wanted to be associated with a funder who genuinely cares about the causes it supports and took the time to get to know them, so the programme was a perfect match! As a newly formed charity, it was so encouraging to know that people believed in our cause and wanted to help. The support helped us launch our first book ‘Hydrocephalus What I wish I’d known,’ given for free to the parents and carers across the UK.  So far, 475 families have benefitted directly as well as 20 neurosurgery units, 34 health visiting teams and numerous front-line workers. In the short time since gaining the award we have supported over 350 families, secured grants to enable us to employ skilled staff to deliver support, funded front-line workers to learn more about the condition, been shortlisted for prestigious national awards and media coverage, and trebled our income.”

Highlighting the reason for the recent award increase, Michelle Taft – Executive Director of the Foundation said, “Those shortlisted for Grants for Good are often extremely innovative, with real potential to grow their impact on society, yet small charities often struggle to secure funding, particularly funding that is unrestricted.  Having seen the impact Grants for Good has had on its beneficiaries over the last two years, we hope this increase in funding available will further help both small and new not-for-profit organisations to thrive.”

Adam Walsh, CEO of the John Good Group commented, “Supporting the Matthew Good Foundation is an essential part of our people and social responsibility strategy at the John Good Group. We believe in giving back to our communities and helping small, local charities that may not receive the attention or funding they deserve. Our employees are at the heart of this initiative, as they have the opportunity to decide where the donations go and make a real impact on the causes they care about. We are proud to be associated with the Foundation and its mission to amplify the voices of small charities and organisations that can make a significant difference with a small grant.”

The Grants for Good fund is designed to be deliberately easy for very small charities or new community interest groups to apply for, with simple guidelines and a minimum amount of information needed to get started. Applicants do not necessarily need to be a registered charity, they could also be a local community group, voluntary group or social enterprise. They must have a positive impact on people or the environment, and their annual income must be below £50,000. Shortlisting is performed each quarter, but applications are open all year round, so those looking to apply can do so whenever they are ready. Full details of the programme and an online application form can be found at www.matthewgoodfoundation.org/grantsforgood.

 

 

Media Enquiries

Jennifer Murden
Phone: 07444 479192
Email: jen@matthewgoodfoundation.org

Available Monday – Friday, 9.00am – 2.30pm

About the Matthew Good Foundation

The Matthew Good Foundation is a charitable foundation, funded by the John Good Group. It was formed following the unexpected passing of family member and Director, Matthew Good on June 26th, 2011, whilst running for charity in the Humber Half Marathon. Through the Foundation, John Good Group employees can support charities and good causes they care about. The Foundation also supports innovative small charities with funding and resources to help them achieve their potential.

 

About the John Good Group

The John Good Group is a sixth-generation family business founded on a clear and community-focused philosophy, which is to create and nurture businesses that are a force for good. Winners of the Yorkshire & Humberside Family Awards 2022 for Family Business of the Year and Best Social Impact and founded on family values; they put their people, planet, and communities at the heart of everything they do. The Group comprises five divisions focusing on Travel, Marine, Warehousing and Logistics, Property, and Renewables. Each of these divisions has its own ambitious strategy for continuous growth, all while uniting under a shared vision for the future.

 

Social Media Channels

 Matthew Good Foundation

https://www.linkedin.com/company/matthew-good-foundation

https://twitter.com/MatthewGoodFoun

https://www.facebook.com/MatthewGoodFoundation

https://www.instagram.com/matthewgoodfoundation

https://www.youtube.com/@matthewgoodfoundation2122

 

John Good Group

https://www.linkedin.com/company/john-good-group/

https://twitter.com/johngoodgroup

https://www.facebook.com/johngoodgroup

 

Websites

www.matthewgoodfoundation.org

www.johngoodgroup.co.uk

Social Value and Social Impact: Understanding the Differences

Posted on by Philip Webb

Today, there is an increasing focus on the impact that businesses have on society and the environment. This has led to the development of two key concepts: social value and social impact. These two terms are often used interchangeably, but it’s important to understand the differences between them.

Social value refers to the positive impact that a business has on society and the environment. This can include creating jobs, supporting local communities, and reducing carbon emissions. Social value can also be measured in terms of the economic, social, and environmental benefits that a business provides to society.

On the other hand, social impact refers to the long-term, sustainable impact that a business has on society and the environment. This includes the positive and negative effects of a business’s activities, and the impact they have on future generations. Social impact can also be measured in terms of the positive changes that a business brings to society, such as reducing poverty, improving health, and promoting equality.

The key difference between social value and social impact is that social value focuses on the short-term benefits that a business provides to society, whereas social impact looks at the long-term, sustainable impact that a business has on society and the environment.

In conclusion, social value and social impact are both important concepts for businesses to understand. By focusing on both social value and social impact, businesses can ensure that they are creating positive change in society and the environment, and that their activities are sustainable in the long-term. By doing so, businesses can build a strong reputation and foster trust with stakeholders, while also creating a better future for society and the planet.

 

If you want to qualify your social value and start to measure your social impact contact us here www.investorsincommunity.org

Social Impact or Social Unrest?

Posted on by Philip Webb

IIC Transformation Programme

I look around at the myriad of pressures on society this month, ranging from the ever-higher home energy costs, car fuel costs, rising food prices, interest rate increases, and the apparent widening of the divide between those who can afford to live through this period, and those who will need help, and probably need to make lifestyle-limiting choices, as to how they exist into the winter of 2022 and into 2023

I am sensing that we are all approaching a crossroads, that means that there are three ways to go forwards:

  1. Keep Calm and carry on
    1. Rely on government support to be able to afford to live
    2. Or you have sufficient money and resources not to worry too much anyway
    3. “I’m alright Jack” approach, where “self” prevails over community

 

  1. Social Impact
    1. Start to knit communities together, businesses, charities, social companies, and Individuals – to provide co-support to help those in need, and start to “Level Up Society”
    2. Promote people-through-recognition, to volunteer, gift, and support those who need help
    3. Engage companies to spill out into their local community, to provide help and resources, promoting themselves as a great social impact company

 

  1. Social Unrest
    1. Where people get fed up with the unfairness, the gigantic “company” profits versus the family without food or heat in their houses, and survival is a matter of luck or a postcode
    2. Where unrest grows to active protests
    3. Where protests grow to violent reactions

 

It has been said before that the move from polite society to anarchy, takes just three weeks given an opportunity or event. For those who remember the Poll Tax Riots of 1990, you’ll understand this context

They say, it often takes a disaster or a war, to create the shock conditions for people based behavioural change, but the combination of adverse factors we are all currently facing, must surely be an equivalent?

Which path will unfold?

What choices can be made, to avert social unrest, create a joined up, fairer community, and start to close the societal divide, based on compassion and fairness, to create sustainable caring communities?

At Investors In Community, we have the method and the systems to create a solid option 2, and help communities achieve Social Impact, and a positive way forwards.

If you want to know more, contact info@investorsincommunity.org

What Makes Charity Work A Great Employee Benefit?

Posted on by Philip Webb

Charity work is an increasingly popular way of giving back to your employees, especially as more and more workers from the Gen Z and Millennial age brackets are on the lookout for roles with meaning that allow them to give back to their community.

 

Employee benefits are expected now by every potential new recruit, and so showcasing charity work perks that will in turn benefit the community will attract those employees who share your company values and are ready to make a difference in your local area and beyond.

 

Benefits of Charity Work for Employers

Offering charity work as an employee benefit can help companies to attract and retain top talent, as companies who openly give back encourage commitment from employees, offering them a deeper sense of connection to their work. What’s more, charity work as an employee benefit showcases the organisation as caring, enhancing their image and improving their reputation as well as brand awareness.

 

Companies who give their employees paid time off for charity work welcome improved productivity, as they instill a sense of purpose within their employees, improving engagement, and of course, discretionary effort. Furthermore, employees who are able to give back through charity work will be proud to shout about where they work, ultimately attracting more talent to the organisation as more and more people hear about how great the company is, and how wonderful it is to work there. Many companies offering charity work as a benefit also welcome a reduction in sick leave and absenteeism, as employees are more keen to work for a company that gives back to the community, and so naturally, morale is higher.

 

Choice also plays an important role when it comes to charity work. Allowing employees to choose which projects they’d like to work on improves employee empowerment, letting companies welcome higher levels of commitment at work. Involving your employees in charity work results in stronger teams with great connections. Working towards a common goal such as charity work builds relationships, improves communication, and increases leadership skills and confidence, which ultimately gets reflected back in the workplace. Taking part in charity work as a team also lets employers pinpoint potential leaders within the company, opening up opportunities for development and progression.

 

Engaging in charity work as a team, and allowing your employees to take paid time off to volunteer too provides engaging content for your website and for your social media channels, bringing further opportunity to be featured in the press. As a community-driven company, you’re also more likely to improve and develop relationships with stakeholders and potential investors, whilst being in line to win more meaningful awards.

charity work

 

Benefits of Charity Work for Employees

Giving your employees the opportunity to take part in charity work allows them to build connections with their team members, as well as their local communities. Offering choice alongside charity work lets your teams work towards causes they feel the most passionate about, making the benefit of charity work even more meaningful. Taking part in charity work and community projects also gives your employees the opportunity to develop their skill sets in leadership and organisation, improving teamwork, creativity, resilience, communication, and confidence, whilst giving a sense of meaning, purpose, and fulfilment.

 

Charity work means your employees will be able to try new things and build on their experience levels, allowing you as an employer to welcome improved motivation and workplace wellbeing. Greater levels of trust and collaboration will make their way into your business, as working together towards a charitable goal will allow your team members to connect on a human level, which is not always easy to find within an office or workplace.

 

What’s more, charity work increases self-awareness, meaning your employees will naturally work on their conflict management skills, as well as decision-making, coordination, organisation, and leadership, all as part and parcel of their charitable efforts. Developing these skills allows your individual employees to progress on a personal and professional level, and the more your employees develop, the further your business will progress too.

 

The Best Next Steps

Projects within the community often have low budgets for the help they need, and that’s why charity work from companies is so important. Motivated volunteers equipped with expertise as well as specialist skills bring a wealth of value to charities, social enterprises, and community projects; skills that they otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford.

 

Taking the plunge with charity work as an employee benefit is an easy step to take with Investors In Community by your side. Our portal is home to a plethora of causes who need the help of you and your employees. Wherever you’re based, and whatever your values, we’ve got a charity, community project, or social enterprise that’s looking for someone like you and your team members. Offering your employees the opportunity to give back to a cause that’s meaningful to them will bring improved motivation, morale, and productivity, making it one of the most effective employee benefits for increasing wellbeing and discretionary effort.

 

Once you’ve signed up as a business, your employees will also get the opportunity to sign up as individuals, letting them choose the causes which are closest to their hearts. They’ll be able to donate, fundraise, or volunteer, earning Community Credits as they go. Plus, signing up your organisation allows your company to earn Community Credits too, letting you showcase your social value, all whilst providing a sustainable, ethical, and meaningful place to work for each and every one of your employees.

 

Sign up to your free demo now to dip your toes into the waters of charity work and community projects.