In today’s corporate landscape, volunteer programs are an increasingly valued component of company culture, known for fostering employee engagement and strengthening connections within both the organization and the community.
For many companies, Volunteer Time Off (VTO) represents a formal commitment to the greater good, allowing employees to use their paid time off program to make a positive impact by supporting various nonprofit organizations and charitable organizations of their choice.
Policies vary, but each organization typically offers volunteer hours ranging from 8 to 40+ per year, encouraging employees to actively participate in volunteer activities and gain volunteer experience. Keep in mind that VTO can also mean Voluntary Time Off, which has different rules from Volunteer Time Off, including being unpaid.
The benefits of volunteering go beyond a simple “feel good” factor. Studies show that those who volunteer report increased health and lower stress levels. For example, research by the Harvard School of Public Health suggests that people who volunteer spend fewer nights in the hospital and experience lower mortality rates. Volunteers of all ages enjoy greater stamina, improved mental health, and a sense of fulfillment, proving that volunteer activities can offer more than just temporary satisfaction—they also contribute to long-term wellness.
Interestingly enough, while many people say the biggest obstacle to volunteering is a lack of time, published research in Psychological Science demonstrated that when people gave their time to causes they cared about, they actually perceived they had more free time. So while it may seem counterintuitive, when you donate your time toward something that matters to you and that energizes you, you’ll pay yourself back with the perception of having more time overall.
In addition to personal benefits, volunteering promotes social connections, creating an opportunity for volunteers to expand their skills and develop new friendships. Participating in volunteer programs allows employees to foster social skills while working on meaningful projects with others, making volunteer hours a platform for building genuine connections. And from an organization’s perspective, employee engagement through volunteering contributes to a stronger, more cohesive company culture.
For employees looking to transition to a new field or grow in their careers, volunteer opportunities provide a powerful way to gain new skills and add valuable volunteer experience to their resumes. The commitment to helping a charitable organization in one’s volunteer time reflects dedication and adaptability—qualities that are highly valued in any organization. Furthermore, volunteering builds leadership qualities by allowing volunteers to sharpen essential skills like project planning, communication, and organization—all of which are easily transferable to the workplace.
The chance to make a difference in one’s community is a powerful motivator. Whether assisting a nonprofit organization in your city or supporting causes overseas, volunteer programs foster understanding and compassion, expanding perspectives and reinforcing our shared humanity. Many organizations also see the long-term value in volunteer programs that align with company values, as these initiatives often leave a lasting positive impact on employees’ lives and the community alike. For example, partnering with nonprofit organizations like Habitat for Humanity gives volunteers the chance to create a legacy that will benefit future generations, making every hour of volunteering a meaningful investment.
Implementing a VTO policy is one of the most effective ways for employers to boost employee engagement and foster a sense of pride within the company. Many companies report that volunteer activities reduce employee turnover, increase productivity, and enhance the company’s reputation as a socially responsible organization. A 2023 LinkedIn survey found that companies with active volunteer programs experienced a 52% reduction in turnover among new employees. To establish or improve a volunteer time program, organizations should decide on annual volunteer hours limits, provide a clear process for employees to follow, and select reputable nonprofit organizations aligned with the organization’s core values.
When it comes to choosing policy details, you’ll need to decide what works best with your organization’s resources, advises Laura Handrick, owner of HR advisory firm Laura H Consulting, LLC. “A smaller firm might let employees take one day of VTO a year to volunteer at a food bank, spend a day cleaning up a beach or highway, or teach a class at a domestic violence shelter,” Handrick said. “Larger firms might choose to offer larger blocks of VTO. For example, a firm might give employees up to five days of VTO a year to assist with local Habitat for Humanity builds.”
By promoting volunteer opportunities during onboarding and through company-sponsored events, organizations can ensure that the commitment to volunteering is well communicated across all levels of the company.
How can you volunteer your time? Houston is a city of active volunteers. Between 2012 and 2020, at least 50% of residents in the three-county area had volunteered at least once in the last 12 months, according to the Kinder Houston Area Survey. Opportunities are everywhere – try not to get overwhelmed. Consider your interests, goals, and time commitment.
For those interested, local charitable organizations like Habitat for Humanity offer flexible ways to give back, including working alongside future homeowners, supporting community garden projects, and helping staff ReStores. No specific skills are required—just a passion to make a positive impact. Got questions? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions. Looking towards a bigger goal? Join Houston Habitat’s Core Volunteer program or one of our upcoming Global Village trips here.
For those unable to commit time to volunteering at the moment, financial contributions are also a valuable way to support nonprofit organizations. Recurring monthly donations are an easy way to give without a big hit to your wallet.
Many companies offer matching gift programs, doubling the impact of individual donations. Many non-profits list company matching programs on their website or you can contact your company’s Human Resources Department for more details.
Some companies will even automatically donate a portion of your purchase directly to a designated non-profit. For example, Kroger and Walmart.com will donate a portion of your purchase to Houston Habitat for Humanity. When shopping at Kroger, link your Kroger Plus Card to Houston Habitat by visiting www.KrogerCommunityRewards.com and entering organization ID #80051. When shopping on Walmart.com, round up your change and donate it to Houston Habitat through their “Spark Good” program.
Further options include stock donating, memorial gifting, donation of a car, truck, boat or RV, and incorporating the non-profit into your estate planning. Remember a gift of any size will have a positive impact on the organization.
Whether through volunteer hours or donations, every contribution to charitable organizations like Houston Habitat for Humanity helps strengthen the community.
By participating in volunteer activities and embracing a commitment to community service everyone benefits. Whether you’re motivated by personal passion, professional growth, or the desire to make a difference, the power of volunteering truly extends far beyond the volunteer experience itself.
Habitat for Humanity is a community-focused organization with a mission to empower people to build a better future by building homes alongside volunteers, purchasing their homes with an affordable mortgage, and by completing financial and home maintenance training. One way in which Habitat has been in the news is due to the extended legacy of hands-on work by 39th President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter. Due to this close association, many wonder, did Jimmy Carter start Habitat for Humanity? No, but the Carters’ association and presence has benefited Houston Habitat tremendously, and even the city of Houston itself.
The year was 1984, and Jimmy Carter had been out of the White House for several years and was in New York City to speak at a local church. While there, he saw a nearby active Habitat for Humanity build site and stopped in to say hello, as he had volunteered with Habitat previously in Georgia. The Peach State is both the birthplace of Habitat for Humanity and the lifelong home of Jimmy Carter.
The New York City build site was experiencing difficulty due to a shortage of volunteers. In response, President Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, recruited a few dozen people and added the new volunteers plus themselves to the crew. These additional hands led to a swift finish and move-in day for 19 families. After that experience, the Carters personally worked alongside 103,000 volunteers in 15 different countries to repair, renovate, and build over 4,390 homes over the course of 35 years.
What is the Carter Work Project? The Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project is an annual Habitat for Humanity home-building event alongside its affiliates. Typically, the build event is within the United States but for several years included locations across the globe. Due to President Carter’s incredible passion for helping families own their first home, over 4,300 homes can be considered a “Carter House” today.
After the 2019 build in Nashville, the pandemic paused the event for three years, but in 2023, it was revived in Charlotte, North Carolina. Hundreds of volunteers, staff, and community members, as well as musicians Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, plus future homeowners, worked over the course of five days building 20 homes on nine acres of land off Morris Field Drive, which was the location of an all-Black school that provided transformative educations educations and essential civic space for the Black community, from the early 1900s through the mid-1960s.
In 1998, Houston was the chosen location of the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project. An incredible group of around 6,000 volunteers combated the 110-degree heat to participate. Those who gave their time included 25 local prison inmates, six of whom were hired by the local Habitat affiliate after the completion of their sentences. Through these efforts led by Reverend Harvey Clemons, Jr., Houston Habitat became the first U.S. Habitat International affiliate to build 100 homes in one week by successfully completing the entire project.
On the 25th anniversary of Houston’s participation in the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project, residents still living in the homes shared photos and memories with residents still living in the homes shared photos and memories with news station KHOU-11. Wade and Shalina Gibson are among the original homeowners who worked side by side with Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, as all Habitat homeowners have hands-on roles in building their homes. “He made us laugh, smile and when time to get serious, time to work, we got to work,” homeowner Wade Gibson recalled. “He was a real down-to-earth person, him and his wife. “The biggest lesson: Keep giving, keep loving, keep helping each other out,” Wade said. “And spread the love and do as much as you can to help out folks.” Fellow neighbor and Habitat homeowner Cheryl Crenshaw agreed, saying “They just came here with open arms, you know, they took pictures with us, they did things with us, they showed us things, they talked to us. You know, they did everything.”
Although the Carters themselves are no longer swinging hammers, the event continues in their honor. The 2024 Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project is planned for September 29 to October 4, 2024, in Twin Cities, Minnesota. The news was shared with a ceremonial passing of the hammer between Charlotte Region Habitat for Humanity and Twin Cities Habitat during the closing ceremony. “President and Mrs. Carter helped open doors for thousands of Habitat homeowners while advancing racial equity in housing,” said Chris Coleman, president and CEO of Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity. “It is an honor to be selected as host of the 2024 Carter Work Project and carry on the Carters’ inspiring legacy of service and generosity to others.”
If Minnesota is a little too far away or a bit too cold for you, come volunteer as an individual or a group with Houston Habitat for Humanity to help create affordable, quality shelters for more local families! There are three ways to become a Houston Habitat volunteer:
Houston Habitat awards The Presidential Volunteer Service Award to volunteers who achieve 100 or more hours in a calendar year. As an eligible Certifying Organization, Houston Habitat submits each volunteer’s hours who make milestones the previous calendar year. Join us today to grow your community, learn new skills, and contribute to a Texas legacy!
June is National Homeownership Month, a time to recognize the importance of homeownership and the positive impact it has on individuals, families, and communities. At Houston Habitat for Humanity, we believe that everyone deserves a safe, decent, and affordable place to call home. Join us in celebrating this month as we highlight ways you can get involved with our mission.
Houston Habitat for Humanity offers various ways for individuals like you to make a difference and contribute to our mission of affordable housing. Here’s how you can get involved:
Homeownership Month is a time to reflect on the power of Houston homeownership and the positive change it brings to individuals, families, and communities. Join us in celebrating this month by getting involved with Houston Habitat for Humanity. Together, we can make a lasting impact and create a world where everyone has a place to call home.
Join Houston Habitat for Humanity today, share these options in your network, and be part of the solution.
