Why More Companies Are Investing in Civic Engagement Programs
Promoting Civic Engagement and Social Responsibility is a Win-Win for Brands
Introduction
Empowering people with information and resources about voting is very good for business. A study by Harvard’s Kennedy School found that civic engagement programs drive customer loyalty and deepen employee engagement while successfully driving voter turnout.
Nearly 8 in 10 consumers believe that companies should be taking civic action, and even more believe that companies influence social change. We’ve helped Spotify, Tinder, Levi’s, and Snapchat engage and register millions of voters. Here’s why your brand should be next:
Civic Engagement Programs Are Good for Business
People want to shop with companies that promote civic engagement. Research shows that 81% of Americans are more likely to buy products from companies that encourage them to participate in our democracy by providing information about issues and resources to help them register to vote. That’s exactly what we help our brand partners do.
Socially responsible outreach activities create both brand loyalty and better brand identification. There’s overwhelming evidence that customers expect their brands to be civically engaged. Nearly 80% of consumers believe that companies should be taking civic action, and 92% think it is important for companies to take positions on issues that align with their values.
Ready to dig into the data? Download Harvard’s Case Study about how civic engagement programs drive consumer and employee loyalty featuring surveys from BallotReady customers.
Civic Engagement Programs Keep Employees Motivated & Engaged
Social impact programs attract talent, give employees a sense of purpose, and foster more motivated work environments. Just as consumers expect greater social responsibility from brands, employees are also seeking more impactful workplaces. The majority of Americans want to work for socially conscious companies.
When brands set up civic engagement programs, they report increased employee engagement and satisfaction. One company even received dozens of emails from employees thanking them for implementing a civic engagement program.
Several companies in Harvard’s case study said sitting on the sidelines during an election year is a growing risk to business. “We had to ask ourselves, ‘Are we taking a risk by not engaging?” said one participant. “Doing nothing is the real business risk now.” Public relations experts agree and are increasingly guiding their organizations towards social and civic involvement to utilize their platform for good and maintain positive brand perceptions.
Recently, NationSwell released a report outlining how companies have built successful civic engagement programs in the past. They share how companies like Levi’s have partnered with BallotReady to provide employees with a one-stop-shop to register to vote and understand what’s on their ballot.
How can my brand get started?
BallotReady has helped brands like Tinder, Levi’s, Spotify and Snapchat engage and register millions of voters, and we’re ready to help you prepare for this election season.
Running a successful civic engagement program requires buy-in from your team, but it doesn’t have to be expensive. Even smaller-scale programs have seen significant benefits. The important thing is getting started early so you have time to plan a thoughtful and impactful program.