By: Ashley Byars
Technology designed specifically to support corporate philanthropy participation has become increasingly popular. Referred to as social good platforms, this proprietary software tracks volunteer hours and workplace giving and allows targeted communication strategies and recognition programs. These platforms help build meaningful connections between corporations, employees and nonprofits. They save time and money and increase revenue by improving engagement.
We’ve listed some of the leading companies below that offer social good platforms built for employee participation. To help you navigate this expanding industry, we’ve included an overview, some pros and cons, unique benefits and which brands are using which platforms.
Did we miss any? Let us know in the comments any of your favorite social good platforms that your organization uses!
Benevity
Headquarters: Calgary, AB
Founded: 2008
Overview
The Benevity Goodness Platform helps brands bring their social mission to life with technology to build a positive workplace culture, amplify the impact of corporate giving, and power pro-social brand engagement. The software is available in 17 languages and has 10 million users.
Benevity has processed over 2.5 billion dollars in donations and 15 million hours of volunteering time to almost 150,000 charities worldwide this year.
Pros
Certified B corporation
Tracks Fitbit goals to earn donations
Cons
Users would like better search features
Unique Benefit
Gamified employee engagement module
Brands
ADP, Apple, Google, Microsoft, Cargill, Ameriprise, Coca-Cola, Honda, CP, Prudential, Samsung, SAP, AstraZeneca
YourCause
Headquarters: Plano, TX
Founded: 2011
Overview
YourCause was recently acquired by Blackbaud (January 2019). The combined footprint in corporate social responsibility and employee engagement positions them as the global industry leader, providing solutions for both nonprofit organizations and for-profit companies committed to social issues. Eight million people currently engage with YourCause’s solution, which processes more than $245,000 in donations every business hour and has coordinated, tracked and rewarded more than 30 million volunteer hours for its customers.
After implementing YourCause solutions, customers show as high as triple-digit growth in volunteers, donations and engagement. These reported successes demonstrate a larger trend: overall ability to attract employees and customers alike by strengthening a company’s reputation.
Pros
YourCause customers will benefit from Blackbaud’s investments in research and development
Blackbaud’s customers will benefit from a marked expansion of workplace giving and development
Cons
Unknowns resulting from Blackbaud’s acquisition and the long-term effect on current products and services
Unique Benefit
Hosts CSRworks Industry Summit
Free tools for nonprofits
Transparent Giving Model: Transparent Giving Badge for companies that cover all software platform and processing fees – to maximize global good
Brands
Accenture, HCA, United Airlines, j.Crew, Harman, The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, Eastern Bank, Nvida, Franklin Templeton Investments
CauseCast
Headquarters: Burbank, CA
Founded: 2011
Overview
Causecast offers a simple, streamlined experience that helps companies maximize their community investments sooner: clients get up and running 3x faster, save an average of no less than 12 weeks a year on administrative tasks, and realize significant gains in employee participation rates over other methodologies. The average Causecast customer reports an increase of 29% more donors, 34% more volunteers, and 47% more donations in the first year of our partnership alone.
One of CauseCast’s first customers, Neiman Marcus, nearly quadrupled its employee giving from $800,000 to $3.1 million in just one year. The Community Impact Platform lets interested employees search and sign up for volunteer opportunities, make donations and create their own peer-to-peer fundraising campaigns.
Pros
Certified B corporation
Cons
Limited support for nonprofits
Unique Benefit
Real-time reporting platform with advanced analytics and an embedded AI assistant
Partnership with VolunteerMatch
Brands
Emera, Denso, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Marketo, GoDaddy, New Relic, Dish Network, Bozzuto, Mission Edge, Optimizely, Tucson Federal Credit Union, Weinerschnitzel, AppNexus, Providence Health, NerdWallet
CyberGrants
Headquarters: Andover, MA
Founded: 1999
Overview
CyberGrants was initially founded to enable corporate grantmaking, then two years later introduced employee engagement on the same common code base. For nearly 20 years, CyberGrants has provided innovative software and services to handle both grantmaking and employee engagement. The customer list boasts some of the world’s most innovative and respected brands, including over 50% of the Fortune 100. In the last twelve months alone, CyberGrants has processed over $6.5 billion and more than 50 million volunteer hours. Nearly one-third of corporate giving is processed using CyberGrants software.
Pros
Ability to streamline daily management tasks
Cons
Some users expressed a wish for a more straightforward and simpler navigation process
Unique Benefit
Platform designed for grantmaking and employee engagement
Brands
Patagonia, Starbucks, Disney, Walmart, G.E., Capital One, Target, ITW, Nordstrom, Wawa, Express Scripts, Cisco, Pfizer, Dow, Conoco-Phillips, Keurig, McDonalds, Intel, Alliant Energy, Hasbro, Lowe’s, Smucker’s, PNC, Bacardi, Republic Services, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Verizon, ConAgra, Duke Energy
SmartSimple
Headquarters: Toronto, ON
Founded 2002
Overview
SmartSimple is a global leader in cloud-based automation software, offering unique process solutions. 115,000+ monthly users in more than 200 countries. Used by 13 of the largest companies in the Fortune 500 and global government agencies.
All-in-one enterprise solution with a focus on grant management. Offers workplace giving and engagement programs: volunteer management, donation management, matching gifts, dollars for doers.
Pros
Global Solution – unlimited multi-language and multi-currency support
Cons
If you’re not tech savvy the learning curve can be steep
Unique Benefit
Flexibility – a configurable layer on top of the core design offers many options
Brands
Chicago Community Trust, Comcast, The Coca-Cola Foundation, Whole Kids Foundation, Merz North America, Rotary, Feeding America
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