Research suggests that workplace volunteer programs can strengthen employee well-being, build better connections, and foster a stronger sense of belonging.
Research from Stanford Graduate School of Business suggests that company-sponsored volunteering can benefit both employees and employers by improving social connections among coworkers and fostering a stronger sense of belonging within organizations. Published in the Journal of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, the research by Stanford professors Jeffrey Pfeffer and Sara Singer analyzed survey data from more than 53,000 employees in the United Kingdom. The findings explored why workplace volunteering can have a positive effect on employee health and organizational outcomes.
Benefits for employees
Volunteering creates opportunities for employees to connect outside their usual work responsibilities. Whether they’re sweeping up leaves, scrubbing graffiti, or getting planters ready for winter, by working together to address community needs, employees can develop a stronger sense of teamwork that carries back into the workplace.
These connections matter. Research cited by Pfeffer and Singer points to the importance of social connection for physical and mental well-being, while social isolation can have negative effects on both.
Benefits for the business
The benefits of volunteering can extend beyond relationships among colleagues. According to the Stanford research, employees who participate in employer-supported volunteer programs may also develop a stronger connection to their organizations. That connection can include identifying with their employer’s values and goals and recommending their workplace to others.
When businesses demonstrate a commitment to the community, they give employees an opportunity to put shared values into action. Community involvement can become an extension of workplace culture, helping employees see how their individual contributions connect to a larger purpose. Team volunteer days can also help employees network with neighboring businesses, community organizations, and the broader downtown community.
Putting the Research Into Practice Downtown
Downtown Spokane offers employers a natural setting to put these principles into action. From public space maintenance to community beautification, there are tons of opportunities for volunteers to make a visible difference.
Through initiatives like Fall Clean Week (October 12-16, 2026), DSP invites community partners to join efforts to care for downtown’s public spaces. Activities like sidewalk cleanup, graffiti removal, planter preparation, and green-space maintenance provide opportunities for employees to work alongside others who share an interest in downtown’s success.
tips for putting together a workplace volunteer program
The Stanford research offers several takeaways for employers interested in developing or strengthening volunteer programs:
-
Make it a team effort. Organize group activities that allow employees to build relationships with one another while working toward a common goal.
-
Give employees time to participate. Flexible scheduling and employer-supported volunteer hours can make it easier for employees to get involved.
-
Connect activities to shared values. Choose projects that reflect employee interests and your organization’s mission.
-
Recognize participation. Celebrate employees’ contributions and communicate the positive impact of their efforts.
Interested in getting involved? Connect with the Downtown Spokane Partnership to learn about upcoming volunteer opportunities and ways your business can help keep downtown Spokane clean, safe, and vibrant.