As we close the chapter on 2024, it’s clear that even small, intentional actions can lead to extraordinary outcomes. Generus partnered with companies around the globe to create volunteer experiences that connected teams, empowered communities, and addressed critical challenges. The impact of these efforts demonstrates that meaningful change is within reach when employees rally together, even in small ways.
A Snapshot of 2024: Turning Efforts into Impact
This year, employees dedicated their time and energy to volunteering, hosting an average of 2.5 volunteering activations and 145.6 volunteering hours per company. The cumulative effect of these efforts are a testament to the power of collective action.
Causes That Mattered Most
Volunteers supported a diverse range of 23 impact areas this year, highlighting the varied passions and priorities of the teams we worked with. The top areas included:
- Health (28%): Projects ranged from creating mental wellness toolkits to assembling prosthetic hands and pediatric care packages.
- Community (22%): Teams worked on projects to support LGBTQIA youth, military personnel and first responders, and Black girls.
- Environment (20%): Volunteers upcycled materials into toys for rescue animals and embraced sustainability through microgreens initiatives.
- Recreation/Athletics (15%): Projects like outdoor play kits, jump ropes, and skateboards brought joy and activity to youth in underserved communities.
- Education (14%): From STEM kits to Indigenous language preservation programs, education remained a key focus.
A Global Reach
The impact of volunteer efforts brought donations to 45 nonprofit partners across 12 states in the U.S. and 9 countries, including South Africa, India, and Guatemala. This wide reach illustrates how small acts in local communities can ripple outward, creating meaningful change across the globe.
Some impact highlights this year include young people in Guatemala receiving volunteer-built prosthetic hands, enabling them to overcome physical challenges and thrive both at school and at home. And newborns in South Africa have stayed warm after birth by wearing baby hats knitted by Generus volunteers, showcasing how small actions contribute to long-term community health outcomes by protecting infants from hypothermia and reducing infant mortality rates.
The Rise of Flexible Volunteering
Volunteers remained committed to making a difference in 2024 as they overcame location barriers to contribute wherever they could. Whether working remotely, in person, or in hybrid formats, volunteers showed that distance was no obstacle to meaningful action:
- 46.5% of events were fully remote, enabling teams to connect and contribute no matter where they were located.
- 31.3% of events were held in person, offering opportunities for face-to-face collaboration.
- 22.2% of events embraced a hybrid format, blending the best of both worlds.
This dedication demonstrates the unwavering drive of employees to make a tangible impact, no matter the circumstances.
When and How People Love to Give Back
Understanding employee preferences plays a crucial role in creating successful volunteer programs. This year, we learned that:
- Happy Hour (4-6 PM) was the most popular time for volunteering, followed closely by Lunch Hour (12-2 PM).
- Thursday emerged as the favorite day for volunteering, with the highest participation rates.
These insights helped companies optimize their events for maximum participation and impact.
Why Small Actions Matter
Employees’ top motivations for volunteering reaffirm the importance of designing meaningful, purpose-driven experiences. According to our surveys:
- 51% of volunteers prioritize activities with a clear social impact.
- 57% of respondents said they’re most likely to attend events where they know their work will make a difference.
This feedback highlights the importance of creating opportunities where employees feel their contributions are making a direct, positive impact.
A Year-End Reflection
While 2024 is wrapping up, the lessons from this year’s volunteer efforts will help support volunteering strategies in the new year. The data speaks for itself: consistent actions can collectively create a powerful ripple effect. From assembling mental wellness toolkits to supporting global communities, every hour spent volunteering sparks meaningful change, deepening team connections and amplifying the positive impact on the communities they support.
At Generus, we’re honored to facilitate these moments of connection and purpose. As we gear up for 2025, we’re excited to continue empowering companies and employees to turn small actions into extraordinary outcomes. Together, we can achieve even greater things.
Get started on your 2025 employee engagement strategy today >
