For charities looking to expand their corporate partnerships, deepen community engagement, and diversify volunteer pipelines, Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) represent one of the most promising opportunities. ERGs are voluntary, employee-led groups that exist inside companies to create community, support career development, and foster an inclusive workplace culture. They bring together employees connected by shared identities, lived experiences, or interests and welcome allies who want to learn and contribute. 

For nonprofits, ERGs can become some of your most mission-aligned corporate champions. They have internal influence, a strong desire to create meaningful impact, and sometimes dedicated budgets. Many are actively looking for nonprofit partners who can help them bring their values to life. If your organization is seeking stronger corporate relationships or a more consistent volunteer pipeline in the coming year, ERGs are a strategic place to invest your time and energy. 

Why ERG Partnerships Matter for Charities 
ERG partnerships work so well because they create mutually beneficial outcomes for both the nonprofit and the corporate group. From the charity perspective, ERGs can mobilize volunteers for hands-on service days, whether that’s mentoring youth, assembling kits, or organizing environmental projects. ERGs are also powerful allies during cause days like International Women’s Day or Universal Children’s Day, where they look for nonprofits that can support awareness-building, storytelling, or fundraising campaigns. 

Many ERGs are especially enthusiastic about skill-based volunteering, offering professional expertise in marketing, communications, technology, HR, or operations. These contributions can provide tremendous value to nonprofits that may lack the capacity for specialized projects. 

On the corporate side, nonprofits support ERGs by helping them deliver meaningful engagement opportunities that strengthen inclusion and foster belonging. ERGs need activities that appeal to diverse schedules and global teams, which means offering flexible, co-created volunteer or educational opportunities. When nonprofits approach ERGs as collaborators rather than simply requesting volunteers, it leads to deeper, longer-lasting partnerships that serve both communities and companies. 

ERG Partnership Recommendations from Alexandra Geneser, Children International 
Alexandra Geneser, Senior Manager of Global Partnerships at Children International, leverages ERGs as part of her employee giving strategy, helping extend Children International’s relationships with companies like Microsoft. Children International has seen great benefits from collaborating with ERGs, making her insights an invaluable guide for nonprofits looking to explore and thrive in the ERG space.  She highlights the strategic importance of ERGs in corporate engagement and has observed that they are typically driven by passionate, volunteer leaders. Because many ERG members are new to social impact work and leadership roles may transition frequently, they can benefit from turnkey support from nonprofit partners that provides structure and continuity through leadership changes, while still preserving opportunities for co-creation and leadership development as members grow into their roles. Many ERGs have budgets for events, learning sessions, and community partnerships and are linked to matching gift programs or disaster-relief initiatives. For nonprofits, understanding ERGs as structured, goal-driven groups (not informal clubs) opens doors for strategic collaboration and meaningful impact. 

Here are Alexandra’s practical recommendations for charities wanting to strengthen their corporate engagement through ERGs. 

1. Be strategic and proactive in finding ERG contacts. 

  • Look within your current donor or volunteer base to identify people who may already belong to ERGs. 
  • Ask board members and CSR teams for strategic introductions. 
  • Cultivate employee champions who can connect your organization to ERG leaders and advocate for your mission. 

2. Be organized, flexible, and co-creative. 

  • Create volunteer opportunities that are turnkey, simple to join, and directly align with your mission. 
  • Offer both virtual and in-person activities to ensure options for remote and global employees. 
  • Invite ERGs to co-create events or campaigns. This deepens their investment and leads to stronger results. 
  • Maintain consistent, clear communication through polished materials, updated information, observance-day recognition, and friendly check-ins. 

3. Start small and stay data driven. 

  • Begin with a few focused relationships instead of trying to build many ERG partnerships at once. 
  • Experiment and learn what resonates with different companies and employee groups. 
  • Track participation, outcomes, and staff time so you can make informed decisions and scale sustainably. 

Why Charities Should Act Now 
As companies begin shaping their ERG programming for the upcoming year, nonprofits that reach out early often secure recurring volunteer days, sponsored events, and multi-year partnerships. Many charities have seen significant success by getting ahead of the planning cycle and proposing flexible, co-created opportunities that fit naturally within ERG calendars. 

At their core, ERG partnerships create a virtuous cycle: they amplify nonprofit missions, empower employees, and strengthen corporate commitment to social good. With thoughtful strategy and a collaborative approach, charities can build ERG relationships that fuel meaningful impact, far beyond a single event or cause day.