Community Involvement
Community involvement (C.I.) is the power to bring positive, measurable change to both the communities in which you operate and to your business. At your company, C.I. may be known as "social impact;" it may primarily take the form of corporate giving/corporate philanthropy or volunteering programs. Some companies maintain corporate foundations to optimize their C.I. and giving efforts. However you structure your engagement with stakeholder communities, this resource page can help.
Access to more in-depth content is available to BCCCC members.
Catch Up on the Latest Research on Corporate Community Involvement
Takeaway: Involving employees in corporate philanthropy fosters positive attitudes toward thecompany and management enhancing both employees’ psychological attachment to theorganization—and—their proactive engagement with organizational goals.
To examine the impact of employee involvement in philanthropy activities on attitude, commitment, and organizational citizenship—how committed employees are to helping an organization achieve its goals.
Executives love stories and they need facts. Delivered twice monthly, this series of research studies can help you create the best business case for your programs. If your company is a member, you have access to hundreds of these program-defining studies. Simply log in to browse them. If your company is not yet a member, ask us about joining!
WATCH: The Latest Videos on Community Involvement Issues
BCCCC maintains a robust video library on CSR and ESG topics like corporate community involvement. Most of these videos—including main stage sessions from our annual Conference and monthly webinar recordings—are available to BCCCC members only. Enjoy this brief clip as a sample of our video library.
WEBINAR CLIP: Key Findings from a Past Community Involvement Report
This clip offers a look at Ally Financial and TELUS community involvement iniatives.
Member Voices | Corporate Community Involvement
Travelers
Senior Director, Community Relations; AVP The Travelers Foundation
"Corporate community involvement remains essential to strengthening our organizations and building resilient communities. Through our meetings, we’ve explored effective employee volunteer programs, disaster preparedness frameworks, changing nonprofit dynamics and shifts in the workforce. These discussions reveal that while approaches may adapt, the fundamental importance of corporate citizenship endures."
DISCUSS: Opportunities to Engage with Community Involvement Peers
Our roots in one of world's leading business schools is one advantage we can offer the corporate citizenship community. Our membership—comprised of 10,000+ professionals from companies around the world—is another. Executives come to BCCCC for opportunities to discuss, share, ideate, collaborate... We offer a variety of formats and forums for this purpose. Please note that all of the following discussion venues, not including our annual Conference, are exclusively available to BCCCC members. We welcome you to learn more about each one, and ask about membership for your company.
Community Involvement 101: Basic Questions & Concepts
Community involvement programs can significantly boost a company’s reputation, employee morale, and customer loyalty. Research shows that businesses engaged in social impact initiatives experience stronger brand trust and are more attractive to top talent—especially among younger workers who prioritize corporate responsibility. Additionally, these programs often foster valuable local partnerships and can open new markets, helping companies grow while making a positive social impact.
Data indicates that companies actively investing in their local communities and the well-being of their stakeholders often experience positive outcomes, including increased customer loyalty, employee engagement, stronger stakeholder relationships, improved employee retention, and potentially stronger financial performance. Community investment is often linked to long-term business success, particularly in terms of reputation and trust among both customers and employees. This trend is also reflected in the growing emphasis on stakeholder capitalism, where businesses are increasingly seen as serving a broader range of stakeholders beyond just shareholders.
Corporate community involvement encompasses a wide range of activities, from direct financial support to employee engagement programs. These include cash giving, in-kind donations, grantmaking, disaster relief, pro bono work, and nonprofit board service. Additionally, companies can support community initiatives through employee volunteer programs, scholarships, sponsorships, and various fundraising efforts. Many businesses implement a mix of these strategies to address diverse community needs while engaging employees meaningfully.
Aligning community efforts with business objectives is crucial for maximizing impact and achieving both social and financial goals. This alignment ensures authenticity, enhances impact, and strengthens stakeholder relationships. Integration helps companies measure ROI more effectively and ensures long-term sustainability by connecting social impact with business performance.
To find community organizations that align with business values and objectives, companies should first define their core values and mission.Then, they can research local organizations and identify those whose goals and activities align and overlap with the company's objectives. Engaging employees in the selection process, conducting community needs assessments, and leveraging local chambers of commerce or CSR networks can also help identify well-matched partners. Building relationships with these organizations and exploring potential collaborations can lead to mutually beneficial partnerships.
Companies use "Days of Service" or "Months of Giving" initiatives to create a shared sense of purpose that can boost employee participation and energize social responsibility (CSR) efforts. These time-bound promotions provide a structured, company-endorsed opportunity to give back, encouraging cross-team collaboration and employee volunteerism. It also gives the opportunity to build strong relationships within the community and generate positive media attention around the company’s values in action.
Member Services Associate
January 30, 2026
Rural Health Equity: The Growing Role of Corporate Investment
For corporate citizenship professionals whose companies operate in or serve rural America, understanding the depth of rural health challenges—and the role private sector support can play—has never been more critical. As public funding landscapes shift, companies have an opportunity to address healthcare disparities in communities where one in five Americans live.
Here are some key findings:
- Rural communities face disproportionate health challenges due to chronic disease, poverty, food insecurity, and limited access to healthcare and health education.
- Public funding for rural health is increasingly uncertain, with conditional federal aid creating risk for already fragile healthcare systems.
- Corporate investment is a critical stabilizing force, with private-sector initiatives helping close access gaps and advance rural health equity.
Recommended Reading on Corporate Community Involvement
One Big Beautiful Bill & Corporate Giving
Access: Free, open access to everyone
Reading Time: 15 minutes
Helpful When: Reviewing how charitable giving creates quantifiable business value, followed by OBBB-specific insights and recommendations.
2025 COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT STUDY
Access: BCCCC Members Only; Non-Members Access the Exec Summary
Reading Time: 15 minutes
Helpful When: Thinking about how C.I. is changing in the current political and economic climate
2025 C.I. ADVISORY BOARD BULLETIN
Access: Members Only; Non-members request access at ccc@bc.edu
Reading Time: 30 minutes
Helpful When: Staying current on the field of corporate community involvement
LEARN: Grow Your Community Involvement Knowledge
BCCCC aims to help corporate citizenship professionals know more, do more, and achieve more. Learning is a key piece of what we offer. And because we are housed in Boston College's prestigious Carroll School of Management, you can trust we are well-positioned to help you grow your knowledge—whether you choose to take a course, earn your certificate, or simply read our latest articles on corporate community involvement.
Take a Course
BCCCC offers nearly two dozen self-paced, online courses, including Corporate Citizenship Partnership Management and Corporate Giving: Maximizing Effectiveness. Browse all our online course options.
Earn Your Certificate
BCCCC's certificate programs are globally recognized credentials in the field. Many corporate community involvement professionals come to the Center for certification at the practitioner, manager, or senior leader level.
Join the Center
Some of our best learning opportunities (research, conversations with other community involvement professionals, webinars, etc.) are reserved for our members. Ask us about membership for your company!
Bundle and Save
Did you know you can combine your membership with add-ons like online courses, in-person learning, or team training?