Social responsibility specialist Roberta Rossi has urged companies to establish corporate volunteering programs to address a widespread lack of guidance among aspiring volunteers in Brazil. Speaking in an interview with CNN Brasil on Friday to mark National Volunteer Day, Rossi identified corporate initiatives as a key solution to help citizens find trusted charitable causes.
Rossi explained that corporate volunteering functions as a direct invitation from a corporate employer to an individual worker. By structuring formal social outreach programs, businesses make it significantly easier for employees to participate in community service and experience volunteer work first hand.
Data from the 2026 Volunteering in Brazil Survey, conducted by the Datafolha Institute, shows that Brazil currently has 60 million active volunteers. Nine percent of those volunteers participated in social projects through initiatives organized by their employers.
Workplace benefits and employee retention
Rossi stated that voluntary actions bring together employees from different departments and management levels. Working on social projects places staff in situations that require active collaboration, creativity, leadership, active listening, and practical problem solving capabilities.
She emphasized that a successful corporate volunteer program must establish a win-win relationship. Society receives support, participating workers gain valuable personal benefits, and the business strengthens its overall operational environment.
According to Rossi, participating in company-backed volunteering generates a deeper sense of belonging. She noted that workers feel greater pride in their employer and their colleagues, effectively turning the workplace into a community of meaning.
Business performance and engagement
Citing industry research, Rossi reported that employees who engage in corporate volunteer work are 16 percent more engaged with business operations and corporate goals. The shared experience helps improve the internal climate and reinforces team spirit across departments.
Rossi added that corporate volunteering helps companies retain talent and lower turnover rates by providing employees with a clear sense of purpose. Furthermore, structured community participation serves to strengthen organizational reputation over the long term.
National Volunteer Day is celebrated annually in Brazil on August 28 to recognize citizens who dedicate their time, energy, and labor to supporting charitable causes and helping others in need.
