11.29.2004 ET

(CSRwire) SAN FRANCISCO - "Measuring Corporate Volunteerism," a new research study by LBG Associates, highlights leading U.S. corporations' commitment to volunteerism and explores the key components necessary to ensure successful employee volunteer programs. The study reveals strong support for volunteerism in the corporate world, especially with senior executives who view volunteerism as a vital part of their corporate cultures.

According to the study, 100% of executives believe that senior management should actively volunteer, and that companies should financially support volunteerism. This finding supports many others revealed in the study, including the fact that 85% of participating companies allow their employees to volunteer during the workday, and that nearly 60% of executives feel that supporting volunteerism is part of being a good corporate citizen.

"This study challenges old assumptions and introduces a new model that predicts the most successful volunteer programs," said Dr. Linda Gornitsky, president and founder of LBG Associates. "Our findings help companies with limited resources identify those activities and program structures that are most closely linked to program success."

By comparing the opinions between CR/volunteer managers and their executives, and local nonprofits, the research provides the first comprehensive look at how companies and their nonprofit partners understand and evaluate corporate community service. The study concludes with a powerful analysis of the statistical relationship between the various key components of corporate volunteer programs and their abilities to predict or forecast the overall success of corporate volunteer programs.

'Measuring Corporate Volunteerism' provides fresh insights and practical advice for corporations committed to managing successful volunteer programs," said Luisa Perticucci group director of business services for VolunteerMatch. "It is an important contribution to an improved understanding of Corporate America's ongoing commitment to volunteer service."

The research study, sponsored by VolunteerMatch and over 30 corporate leaders including Altria, Edison International, Target, Timberland, FPL and Charles Schwab, was conducted over a six-month period in early 2004. The study included interviews with community relations/volunteer managers and senior executives from nearly 50 major US companies and representatives from 40 nonprofits.

For additional highlights from "Measuring Corporate Volunteerism" please visit: www.csrwire.com/pdf/LBG_one_sheet.pdf

About LBG Associates
LBG Associates is a woman-owned consulting firm specializing in the design, implementation and management of strategic corporate citizenship programs and initiatives, such as corporate contributions and foundation giving; employee giving and volunteerism; strategic partnering and relationship development; strategic communications development; sponsorships and cause-related marketing; research and benchmarking capabilities; program evaluation; and training and staff development. Founded in 1993 by Dr. Linda Gornitsky, LBG Associates is committed to providing clients with creative and innovative solutions in a personal, professional, cost-effective and timely manner.

About VolunteerMatch
VolunteerMatch is a nonprofit leader committed to helping everyone find a great place to volunteer by offering a variety of online services to support a community of nonprofit, volunteer and business leaders committed to civic engagement. VolunteerMatch attracts millions of interested volunteers a year, has helped tens of thousands of nonprofits nationwide find the volunteers they need, is the recipient of Webby Awards for "Activism" and "Services," and has been recognized for its accomplishments by The White House, M.I.T, and the Smithsonian Institution.

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