Giving Compass' Take:

• Rhoden Monrose, writing for Thrive Global, discusses the benefits of employee programs that incorporate philanthropy work or volunteering.

• How can CSR programs help facilitate more philanthropic opportunities for the corporate world?

• Read about what to expect from CSR in 2019.

A recent New York Times article seems to have everyone buzzing. The reporter claimed that American’s are unhappier in their professional lives than ever before in large part due to their lack of fulfillment at work. But what if that could change? More and more companies are offering programming to help retain employees and attract top talent, and one of the most impactful programs is through philanthropy.

CariClub, a platform that connects millennial workers with associate boards at charitable organizations that they care about, has taken off in the corporate world, with companies like Morgan Stanley, Citigroup, Deloitte, EY, Davis Polk, Sidley Austin, and Unilever all signing on as partners. But what are the real benefits of getting involved?

  • It Triggers a Helpers High According to researchers from the National Institutes of Health, the functional MRIs of subjects who gave to various charities, showed stimulation to the mesolimbic pathway, which is the reward center in the brain — releasing endorphins and creating what is known as the “helper’s high.”
  • But it’s more than just feeling good, there are other body benefits… A study from the International Journal of Psychophysiology showed that people who gave social support to others had lower blood pressure, and it helped with recovery from coronary related events.
  • There are professional benefits too. Volunteers often work on a team – whether building houses or sitting on a board – and the planning process allows opportunity to develop and hone your leadership skills.
  • It also broadens your network.
  • Your company may reap some ancillary benefits.
  • And it leads to overall feelings of fulfillment and happiness at your job.

Read the full article about benefits of philanthropy by Rhoden Monrose at Thrive Global