Wells Fargo Presents: The Power of Employee Engagement

Summary

This conversation highlights a deep partnership between Wells Fargo and United Way, emphasizing the significance of employee engagement and volunteerism. Jennifer Dunn of Wells Fargo and Megan Brown of United Way discuss how organizations can foster purposeful employee involvement in community initiatives. They explore trends in corporate social responsibility, such as the desire for year-round volunteer opportunities and matching donation programs. Through innovative partnerships, like Wells Fargo’s Community Care Grants Program, companies can make a lasting impact on local communities while aligning with employees' desire for purpose-driven work.

Takeaways

• 😀 Wells Fargo has been partnering with United Way for over 140 years, creating a long-standing relationship focused on community impact.
• 😀 Employees are increasingly seeking more purpose in their work, with two-thirds of employees looking for organizations that align with their values.
• 😀 Volunteerism is a key aspect of employee engagement, with many employees seeking year-round involvement rather than just a one-time event.
• 😀 Companies are recognizing the importance of supporting community causes, with employees wanting their organizations to prioritize social responsibility.
• 😀 United Way helps bridge the gap between corporate partners and local communities, ensuring sustainable impact and effective responses to community needs.
• 😀 Wells Fargo's team member population of 260,000 globally is highly engaged and vocal about their desire for more opportunities to volunteer and contribute.
• 😀 Wells Fargo revamped its Community Care Grants Program, offering team members two paid volunteer days per year and matching donations and volunteer hours.
• 😀 The number of people donating to charitable causes has decreased slightly, but the total amount donated has increased significantly, totaling $410 billion in the previous year.
• 😀 United Way plays a key advisory role, helping companies understand what employees want and how to effectively align their social responsibility efforts with community needs.
• 😀 Partnerships with organizations like United Way help companies like Wells Fargo maximize the impact of their volunteer programs, ensuring long-term community benefits.

Q & A

What is the main theme discussed in the transcript?

The main theme revolves around employee engagement, volunteerism, and corporate social responsibility, particularly focusing on the partnership between Wells Fargo and United Way and how they engage employees in charitable giving and volunteerism.

How long has the partnership between Wells Fargo and United Way been in existence?

The partnership between Wells Fargo and United Way has been ongoing for 140 years, dating back to 1880.

What is United Way’s role in corporate partnerships?

United Way acts as a connector between corporate partners and local communities, ensuring sustainable impact and helping corporations engage their employees in meaningful ways.

What trend is emerging in employee engagement and volunteerism?

A significant trend is that employees increasingly seek purpose in their work, with two-thirds of employees basing their job choices on whether the organization helps them serve a meaningful purpose. Companies are responding by fostering year-round engagement, not just during annual events.

How does Wells Fargo encourage employee involvement in community service?

Wells Fargo encourages employee involvement by offering a Community Care Grants Program, where donations and volunteer time are matched. Employees also receive two paid volunteer days per year, which contributes to the company's overall engagement in community service.

What changes did Wells Fargo make to improve its employee giving program?

Wells Fargo revamped its team member giving program to better engage employees by matching donations and volunteer time. They also shifted the focus to allow employees to donate to a broader range of causes beyond just a few educational institutions.

How do organizations like Wells Fargo work with United Way to improve their social impact?

Organizations like Wells Fargo collaborate with United Way to assess employee needs, align company values with community needs, and create tailored volunteer and giving opportunities that enhance employee engagement and maximize social impact.

What role does purpose play in the future of corporate partnerships, according to United Way?

Purpose is a core value for United Way, and they work with corporate partners to ensure that employee engagement aligns with meaningful, sustainable social responsibility goals. United Way emphasizes the importance of listening to both employee desires and community needs to create effective partnerships.

How does United Way ensure the success of its corporate partnerships?

United Way ensures the success of its corporate partnerships by acting as a business advisor to companies, helping them survey employees to understand their needs, and then developing strategies to respond to both employee and community needs effectively.

What is the impact of Wells Fargo’s employee volunteer program?

Wells Fargo’s employee volunteer program had a significant impact, with around 100,000 employees contributing over 2 million volunteer hours in the previous year. This program, along with other initiatives, strengthens the company’s social responsibility efforts and helps address local community needs.