The RW Institute announces the release of the 2nd edition of the Corporate Volunteering, Giving and Grants Technology Review
Since the release of the 1st edition of the Corporate Volunteering, Giving and Grants Technology Review in November 2019, significant developments have taken place in the sector as well as the socio-political context in which these platforms operate. Sign up here to receive your copy of the 2021 edition on November 16, 2021.
- Download the 2019 edition here.
- Register for the free online launch event here.
- Pre-register for your free copy of the 2021 report here.
Why does the RW Institute provide the Tech Review?
Innovative technology is critical to mobilizing, managing and measuring effective employee volunteering and workplace giving programs. Although many companies now have technology solutions to support and financially match employee volunteering and giving, there remains a high level of uncertainty among CSR managers regarding which solution is the right option for their company. CSR managers need to clear answers to key questions:
- What are the ideal criteria to assess the right fit for my workplace giving software provider?
- Are other CSR managers satisfied with their current technology providers? Why or why not?
- How have technology solutions adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic and social justice movements such as Black Lives Matter?
- How much do technology solutions cost, and how much should it cost me?
- Which features are requirements, and which are optional?
The Tech Review is designed to equip managers responsible for corporate community investments with the ability to quickly identify solutions that align with their needs and program design. The review reduces inefficiencies, informs the selection of right-sized solutions, and reduces high procurement costs.
What is the scope of the Review?
The 2021 edition of the Corporate Volunteering, Giving and Grants Technology Review features 42 solution providers headquartered in Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, UK, and USA. While the majority of companies use solutions provided by Benevity, Blackbaud, or CyberGrants, the number of emerging platforms continues to grow as the market expands exponentially due to an increasing emphasis on corporate citizenship in societies around the world. Many of the newer platforms offer innovative ideas for how to engage employees in the company’s CSR programs.
Additionally, the report includes a detailed perspective of practitioners and end-users from organizations from across North and South America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the Middle East. In total, practitioner respondents came from 101 unique organizations, while end-users represented 85 unique organizations.
What’s new in the 2021 edition of the Tech Review?
Throughout the pandemic and in response to social unrest, corporate citizenship practitioners turned to solution providers for advice and guidance about engaging remote employees, maintaining giving momentum, and supporting grantmaking work. While only a few saw their technology partners introducing new functionality specifically in response to these challenges, notable changes included platforms taking a stronger focus on diversity and inclusion.
Despite a significant number of respondents indicating that volunteering activity decreased due to the pandemic, when asked about how technology helped support activities in this new reality, over half of respondents indicated using platforms to curate volunteering opportunities. Indeed, technology platforms played an important role during COVID-19 and in response to social unrest including:
- Providing advice on how to drive adoption with virtual employees (COVID-19: 42%)
- Introducing new functionality (COVID-19: 16% Social Unrest: 21%)
- Initiating changes to platforms with an eye towards equity and inclusion (Social Unrest: 25%), and to improve access to giving and volunteering opportunities
An overwhelming majority (89%) of end-user respondents agreed that their company’s workplace giving and volunteering platform helped them contribute to their communities during COVID-19. When looking at social unrest, results showed more polarization with 80% agreeing and 20% disagreeing that their company’s platform helped them contribute to their community in response events of social unrest.
How is the Review used?
Since the launch of the 1st edition, the review has been downloaded and used by:
- 1035 unique organizations
- 472 CSR Managers
- 369 unique companies
Based on surveys conducted following the release of the 2019 edition, CSR managers primarily use the Technology Review to provide a baseline of knowledge and awareness of the technology market and identify key considerations when procuring and implementing a platform. This is the correct approach as the review does not rank technology solutions or solution providers, and RWI does not advise the selection of platform exclusively based on what this report contains.
We are in the process of switching to a new volunteering and giving platform. I started with RWI’s Technology Review. If [a platform] wasn’t in the review, I didn’t even consider it. The Review has all the information I need to shortlist my options.
– Sr. Manager, Community Investment, Energy Industry
The report is eye-opening. So much important information about our field is covered in the publication. Whether you have been with your current CSR technology vendor for 15 years, switched vendors a few times, had your vendor merge/bought out by another vendor, or you are currently in the process of changing vendors or thinking about changing – The RWI study of technology vendors is a MUST READ.
– Sr. Manager, Community Affairs, Insurance Industry
Who produces the Review?
The Corporate Volunteering, Giving and Grants Technology Review, is produced by the RW Institute in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and supported by Foundation For The Carolinas, and E4E Relief. The review is the only one of its kind in the industry, offering CSR practitioners with a comprehensive overview of platforms from around the world that support employee giving, volunteering, and grant programs, as well as unique insight into technology procurement, implementation, and adoption.