In my last piece, I explored how skills-based volunteering (SBV) can spark partnerships and deep learning. Today, I want to highlight two more powerful ways SBV creates impact: by fostering genuine human connection and by helping organizations tackle the kinds of complex challenges that often hold them back. These two elements are at the heart of what makes SBV so transformative, both for employees who participate and for the nonprofit partners they support.
Building relationships that last
In SBV programs, employees spend time in real conversation with nonprofit partners as they work to support them on their challenge. They listen and ask questions. They work together to uncover the core issues. All of this builds the empathy, understanding, and mutual respect, that creates the basis for genuine connection.
Informal moments matter too. Sharing a meal or chatting between meetings helps build rapport and trust. These interactions create a sense of community that often extends far beyond the project. We’ve seen many instances where employee volunteers return to support the nonprofit in subsequent years, finding fresh ways to contribute to its growth.
Connections also form between colleagues. SBV brings employees together from different parts of the business who may never have worked together before. They collaborate closely in a short, intense timeframe which forges strong bonds. And again, these connections extend beyond the boundaries of the project —through future engagement, alumni networks, and ongoing collaboration.
Tackling Complex Challenges
At Emerging World, our SBV programs focus on tackling the kinds of problems that don’t come with easy answers. These are the unresolved, often ambiguous challenges that nonprofit leaders rarely have time to address; the issues that sit on the back burner because day-to-day demands come first.
We call them ‘complex messy challenges’. But if solved, meaningful change and a cascade of growth and development can be unlocked for the nonprofit organization.
By coming together in collaboration, employee volunteers and nonprofit partners spend time digging deep to unearth the true nature of the complex challenge. They are curious, lean back and listen rather than rushing to speak. They minimize assumptions and the need to come up with a quick solution. They have enough dedicated time to ideate, to explore, to consider, and ultimately to work as a group towards an effective and actionable solution.
It’s collaboration in action that fuels innovation and creativity. And it helps maximize the critical work of social impact organizations and the communities they serve.
“The approach adopted was systematic and purposeful…the initiative focused on harnessing the skills and leadership of the participants to help our non-profit meet its challenge with co-created solutions.”
– Pooja Mathur, Director HR, Organizational Development & Operations, Plan India
Jump on board with SBV!
Skills-based volunteering is a catalyst.
Beyond the skills, it builds real human connections. Employees aren’t just collaborating on a project, they’re building trust and seeing each other as people, not just titles.
SBV also unlocks the creativity needed to tackle the complex challenges nonprofits face. It delivers solutions that can further their impact and the valuable work they do each day.
“Through the [SBV program], our professional skills provide meaningful impact to organizations that serve our communities. It’s tremendously rewarding.”
– SBV Employee Participant
Imagine the impact if more companies embraced SBV: stronger partnerships, deeper engagement, bolder solutions, and a ripple effect of change that extends far beyond any single program. The opportunity for meaningful, lasting impact is here—now is the time to jump on board with SBV!
