Demonstrate Good Corporate Citizenship

Ten Ways Your Company Can Become a Good Corporate Citizen and Do Better Business

1) Encourage your employees to get involved in volunteer opportunities that interest them.  They will not only be happier in their own jobs, but they will also learn new ways of thinking and meet more people from the community.

2) Hire a graduate from one of CFLS' Employment and Job Training Programs or participate in a CFLS job fair.  These individuals have the drive to succeed, and they have a support system in place to ensure that they are doing the best work they can for you.  Plus, CFLS has pre-screened all applicants, so you have less work on your side.  Please contact our Employment and Job Trainingdepartment at employment@cflsdc.org or 202-347-0511 ext. 308 to find out how.  .

3) Hire a student intern who is also an at-risk youth.  Young adults want to learn and want to work.  By hiring a young adult for a first job, you are expanding their horizons and encouraging them to pursue a higher level of education and support themselves.  This in turn, strengthens the economy and thus your business.  Learn more about our Youth Work Achievement program,  Then contact SeniorYouthServices@cflsdc.org or call 202-347-0511 to find out how you can get involved.

4) Encourage your employees to participate in workplace giving campaigns or to take advantage of employee matching gift programs.  If your employees feel connected to the community, they are likely to work harder to improve the community through your company.  If they feel that the company supports the community they live in, they are more likely to feel satisfied with their work environment and with your company.  If you would like CFLS to participate in your workplace giving campaign, please contact development@cflsdc.org or ask to speak to someone in the Development Department at 202-347-0511.  For more information on workplace giving click here.  For more information about matching gifts, click here.

5) Sponsor a CFLS event.  We are very appreciative of every donor at CFLS and especially thankful to corporate sponsors.  We will do our best to provide you with as many visibility opportunities as possible.  In addition, in sponsoring an event, you will have access to complimentary tickets or tables to the event and are welcome and encouraged to bring partners and clients along.  You will have a captive audience in a relaxed setting, allowing you to get to know your client better.  If you would like to sponsor an upcoming event, please contact development@cflsdc.org or ask to speak to someone in the Development Department at 202-347-0511.  

6) Become a Fannie Mae FoundationHelp the Homeless Walkathon Partner and walk with CFLS.  Each November the Fannie Mae Foundation sponsors a Walkathon to raise money to fight homelessness in the Washington metropolitan region.  By becoming a walkathon partner, not only do you benefit the organization you designate as your beneficiary, but you will gain a variety of visibility and publicity opportunities throughout the city, including having your company's name on the back of every Walkathon t-shirt.  If you would like to become a Walkathon Partner, please contact development@cflsdc.org or ask to speak to someone in the Development Department at 202-347-0511 or contact the Fannie Mae Foundation at (202) 274-8066.  For more information on the Help the Homeless Walkathon, click here. 

7) Introduce CFLS to your clients and colleagues.  Recently, an architectural firm where two of our volunteer tutors work hosted a cocktail party with light snacks, drinks, and music.  They invited employees from all the companies with whom they do or would like to do business, offering a great networking opportunity for all.  They also asked their employees which organizations they volunteer with.  The firm then invited about fifteen organizations to the party to display volunteer opportunities.  This was a great opportunity for the firm because they could mingle with people in the same field, but it was a great opportunity for all the agencies there because we increased our exposure and were able to find new volunteers.  Please contact development@cflsdc.org or ask to speak to someone in the Development Department at 202-347-0511 for more information.

8) Get a group together to do a service project or group activity.  This increases the sense of community at your workplace and encourages your employees to think of new ways of addressing a problem, using limited resources.  Such an activity is great before embarking on a new project or to energize a stagnant one because it encourages employees to think outside the box.  Please contact volunteer@cflsdc.org or ask to speak to someone in Volunteer Services at 202-347-0511 for more information.  Click one of the links to the left for more information about volunteer opportunities at CFLS.

9) Make an in-kind donation.  Do you have old computers, printers, copy machines, or office supplies lying around your office?  One company's junk is a non-profit's treasure.  We will gladly take many of your old supplies and we'll put them to good use.  And even better yet, your company will receive a tax write-off for the goods you donate.  Learn more about in-kind donations by clicking here.  Depending on what type of good you would like to donate, you may be directed to a different point of contact.

10) Make a donation or a grant to Community Family Life Services.  Investing in your community shows consumers that you care about their needs and improves the local economy.  As you help to strengthen the community, business will improve and that improvement will rebound back to your company.  Email development@cflsdc.org or ask to speak to someone in the Development Department at 202-347-0511 for more information or click on the Donate button to the right to learn more.

For more information about volunteering at CFLS or with specific questions, please contact volunteer@cflsdc.org or 202-347-0511.

Publications

Volunteer Application
January 21, 2005
Download and fill out this form to sign up for one of CFLS' many volunteer opportunities. Send the completed form back to the CFLS Volunteer Department at 305 E Street, NW; Washington, DC 20001 or fax it to 202-347-0520.