In today’s fast-evolving landscape of corporate responsibility and ESG compliance, employee volunteering is no longer a “good-to-have” — it has become a strategic differentiator.

Volunteering programs enable companies to:
● Translate ESG & CSR commitments into action by aligning business values with community needs.
● Strengthen workforce culture, improving retention and engagement, especially among Gen Z and millennial employees.
● Build trust with stakeholders — communities, regulators, and investors — by demonstrating authentic purpose.

With India’s mandatory CSR framework, increasing expectations from ESG disclosures (BRSR, CSRD, GRI, SASB), and a growing culture of inclusive development, volunteering offers a tangible pathway to deliver both business value and social good.

Why It Matters (Relevance)
● 66% of global executives cite improved employee morale as the top benefit of CSR initiatives.
● Companies with strong volunteering programs report 5x higher employee engagement and app. 5% better ESG scores annually.
● In India, 60%+ of NSE-listed companies now disclose volunteering efforts as part of their CSR/ESG reporting.
● Strategic volunteering directly supports UN SDGs (health, education, equity, climate action), enhances brand reputation, and fosters inclusive growth.

Key Sub-Themes
1. Volunteering in the ESG Era
● Moving from ad-hoc initiatives to strategy-led, year-round engagement.
● Mapping volunteering to ESG pillars (Environment, Social, Governance) and SDGs (e.g., SDG 3: Health, SDG 4: Education, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities).
2. Designing Inclusive & Scalable Models
● Hybrid and virtual volunteering models for distributed workforces.
● Ensuring equity and accessibility — engaging women, PwDs, and underrepresented groups.
● Leveraging tech platforms and AI for volunteer-community matching.
3. Skills-Based Volunteering & Leadership Development
● Harnessing employee expertise (digital, financial, managerial) for nonprofit capacity building.
● Volunteering as a leadership accelerator and talent pipeline strategy.
● Future-of-work skills: empathy, collaboration, problem-solving.
4. Measuring Impact & ROI
● Designing metrics, dashboards, and SROI (social return on investment).
● Integrating volunteering into BRSR, GRI, SASB, CSRD disclosures.
● Storytelling as a tool for investor confidence and employee pride.
5. Culture & Governance
● Institutionalizing volunteering through policy frameworks (Volunteer Time-Off, nonprofit vetting, recognition systems).
● Role of executive sponsorship and cross-functional governance.
● Linking volunteering with compliance and risk management in India’s CSR regime.

What Participants Will Gain
● A practical framework to embed volunteering into CSR & ESG strategies.
● Case studies from leading Indian and global corporates.
● Tools and templates: KPIs, dashboards, disclosure formats.
● Insights on building inclusive, scalable, and future-ready volunteering programs.
● Networking with corporates, NGOs, and government agencies driving the volunteering ecosystem.

About the Facilitator:

Sankara Mahalingam, Global Lead – Community, Outreach, Firstsource
Sankara Mahalingam is a highly experienced professional with over 25 years of expertise in ESG, CSR, sustainability, and employee volunteering. Currently leading key initiatives at Firstsource, he leverages his deep knowledge of sustainability to drive long-term value and responsible growth. Prior to this, Sankara was a member of the Global ESG team at Cognizant, where he played a pivotal role in environmental sustainability strategies, including Net Zero goals and renewable energy transitions. With a decade of experience in volunteering, he has led CSR projects, managed operations across multiple locations, and spearheaded global environmental programmes. His career also includes significant roles in digital operations, sales, and distinguished service in the Indian Paramilitary forces, highlighting his dedication to impactful work and community service.

Jibby Matthew, Lead - Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Ford Motor Company
Jibby Mathew is the Lead for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at Ford Motor Company, focusing on sustainable initiatives that contribute to building a better world. With a strong background in CSR and sustainability, Jibby has previously held key roles at L&T Financial Services and Mahindra Group, where he managed large-scale community outreach programmes and ensured compliance with CSR and ESG standards. He has extensive experience driving impactful social initiatives and fostering a culture of sustainability within organisations.