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Tag: CSR

When does giving pay you back?

Posted on by Philip Webb

A straight-talking look at the real ROI of Social Value

The big question: why give?

Let’s not sugar-coat it: in business, the word “give” usually sets off mental alarms about cost, not value. But what if giving (time, money, gifts, support) paid you back? Not in karma points or good vibes (though you get those too), but in cold, hard business ROI.

We’re talking staff engagement, revenue growth, profit uplift and brand love. Let’s take a look at the real returns from Social Value giving and whether you’re doing it right… or just ticking boxes.

1. Giving comes in more flavours than you think

Social Value giving isn’t a one-size-fits-all gig. Think of it as a portfolio:

  1. – Time: Volunteering, mentoring, skills-based support
  2. – Gifts: Products, services, giveaways with purpose
  3. – Money: Donations, matched funding, community grants

Each one builds a different bridge – to your people, your community and your customers. The win? When that bridge starts driving business growth.

An image split into three vertical columns. The left image is of a bearded man with glasses smiling and shaking hands with someone across a laptop. The middle image is of a man with red hair and wearing a knitted jumper looking down and smiling at his hand which is holding hay. The right side image is of a young woman explaining something with her hands gesturing - she is looking towards a laptop which is off camera, and an older man is in the background smiling. Across the bottom is a purple and blue gradient banner with the words "cash is just one way to give. Time and skills? That counts too.

2. What’s in it for you? The ROI of doing good

Strong team engagement

People want to work somewhere that gives a damn. Businesses with a Social Value mindset see:
– Higher retention (especially Gen Z and Millennials)
– More productivity (people go the extra mile when they care)
– Better hiring results (because your brand values speak volumes)

Revenue that reflects your purpose

Yes, purpose sells.
– Consumers are 4x more likely to buy from brands with values
– B2B clients now expect Social Value data in procurement.
The real return on giving? Growth, loyalty and sales. 

Profits with purpose…and proof!

Worried that giving costs too much? It doesn’t, if it works. 

– Lower churn = less hiring costs
– Higher tender scores = more wins (Social Value scores now carry legal weight in UK bids)
– Loyal customers = longer-term value

A brand people believe in

Social Value transforms blasé brands into real ones. It gives your team stories to tell, your partners

A close up view of a target with an arrow hitting the bullseye which is the Investors in Community symbol. Along the bottom is a black and orange gradient with the words "Purpose sells. And it boosts sales, too

3. The harsh truth: most businesses give…meh

Here’s the tough love. You donate. Volunteer. Sponsor the odd event. But then what? No tracking. No storytelling. No link to strategy.

It’s like planting seeds and never watering them.

So the ROI? Gone.

Two bucket-style plant pots, one pale purple, one mint green. Both have brown unwatered plants in them. Along the bottom is a purple and blue banner with the words "If you're giving and forgetting, don't expect results.

4. Want to flip that? Here’s how. 

Imagine this:

– Every hour your team gives is logged.
– Every pound donated is traced to real impact.
– Every act of goodwill becomes a story, a KPI, a tender advantage.

This is giving that works as hard as you do. 
That’s where platforms like Investors in Community come in. ( Not a plug. Just facts.)
We help businesses prove, improve, and promote their Social Value so the giving actually gives back.

A close up image of a light switch. The off button is labelled "basic" and the on button is labelled "strategic". A black and orange banner runs along the bottom with the words "Goodwill's great. Measured goodwill? Even better.

5. Audit. Accelerate. Win.

– What do you give now? Is it tracked? Tied to business outcomes?
– Set clear metrics: connect giving to staff engagement, tenders, retention.
– Go digital: streamline, track, report.
– Tell the story: Your team and your clients want to see it. Show them.

Two people with their backs to the camera looking at a computer screen displaying a digital dashboard with colourful charts and graphs. Along the bottom is a black and blue gradient banner with the words "Track it. Prove it. Shout about it. That's how giving pays.

Final Word

Giving, when it’s strategic and well-managed, becomes a growth engine. With the right approach, Social Value fuels loyalty, drives revenue and strengthens your reputation.
So… when does giving pay you back?

When you give with purpose, track with precision and tell the story like a boss.

A new way for businesses to support charities and drive lasting impact

Posted on by Philip Webb

At Investors in Community, we know businesses want to make a real difference but traditional corporate giving often stops with donations and volunteer days. What if businesses could help charities grow stronger, more sustainable, and more impactful in the long run?

That’s exactly what the Transformation & Charity Support Programme is designed to do. By providing coaching, strategic support, and measurable impact reporting, IIC is taking corporate social responsibility (CSR) to a new level that creates lasting change for charities, businesses, and communities. 

Why this programme? Why now?

Many charities operate on shoestring budgets, relying heavily on fundraising, donations, and volunteer support and without the right strategic foundations, long-term growth can be difficult. At the same time, businesses want to invest in communities in ways that align with their values, but they often struggle to see the direct impact of their contributions.

This programme, led by expert coaches Jo Thackwray & Lyn Page, bridges that gap. By working through the IIC platform businesses can now invest in charities in a structured way, ensuring their contributions result in real, measurable, and sustainable change.

How does this programme help charities thrive?

Charities taking part in the Transformation & Charity Support Programme receive structured, expert-led support to help them grow, increase their impact, and plan for long-term sustainability.

Through six interactive sessions, charities get practical guidance on defining their mission, measuring impact and demonstrating the value of their work. Leadership and people management are key areas of focus, helping charities build a strong team culture, improve volunteer engagement, and reduce the risk of burnout.

Charities also gain essential financial skills, learning how to budget, develop fundraising strategies, and plan for sustainable growth. This gives them the confidence to secure funding and manage their resources effectively.

The programme helps charities think beyond the day-to-day, with strategies to scale, diversify income, and build long-term resilience. By the final session, each organisation leaves with a clear, practical roadmap for growth, ensuring they can continue making a lasting impact in their communities.

A smarter way for businesses to make a real impact

Businesses want to make a real impact, but finding the right approach can be challenging. This programme provides a structured way for businesses to contribute meaningfully, with measurable results that drive lasting change.

Businesses using the IIC platform can make a measurable difference by supporting a charity’s long-term growth. They’ll receive:

✅ Impact reports that clearly show how their contributions are making a difference.
✅ Stronger connections with charities, building meaningful, long-term partnerships.
✅ Full visibility of CSR efforts, aligning with ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals.
✅ Employee engagement opportunities, allowing staff to contribute in a way that delivers real results.

This programme helps businesses move from short-term giving to lasting change, creating real benefits for companies and communities.

Why Investors in Community?

At IIC, we make corporate social responsibility clear, measurable, and sustainable. This programme takes it a step further by helping businesses and charities build lasting partnerships rather than focusing on short-term giving. By connecting charities, businesses, and expert coaches we’re facilitating long-term social impact and ensuring every contribution leads to meaningful change.

Join the movement

If your business wants to create real, long-term impact, this programme provides a clear way to make a difference. It helps charities grow and become more sustainable while strengthening your CSR strategy with measurable results. Through the IIC platform, you can track and report on your social impact and build meaningful connections with the charities you support. Take the next step in corporate social responsibility and be part of something that creates lasting change.