Employee resource groups (ERGs) play a key role in creating a welcoming, connected workplace. These groups bring people together who share similar interests or backgrounds, helping them build community, learn, and make an impact. Employee resource group events are a great way for ERG members and allies across the company to connect and support causes that matter.
ERGs can organize a variety of events: social gatherings, cultural celebrations, learning sessions, volunteer activities, and fundraising campaigns. ERGs that connect their activities to corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals often see the greatest success, as these events create meaningful impact for the company and the wider community, boosting employee engagement and supporting employee recruitment by showing the company’s commitment to giving back.
To truly maximize the impact of each event, ERGs should consider partnering with nonprofits. Nonprofits bring expertise, resources, and deep knowledge of community needs. Working with nonprofits helps ERGs ensure their events are organized, impactful, and sustainable. Percent Pledge supports ERGs by connecting them with vetted nonprofit partners who align with each group’s mission, empowering ERGs to create meaningful, high-impact events that foster ERG participation and strengthen community bonds.
Employee resource group event ideas
Cause-focused volunteer events
Cause-focused volunteer events are one of the most powerful ways ERGs can support their community and engage allies across the company. At Percent Pledge, we offer Community Volunteer Events exclusively for customers as part of our platform. These events are tied to specific cause awareness months and give ERGs a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact with their team members and allies.
For example, we hosted a Pride Month Community Volunteer Event. Customers' ERGs and employee allies came together to support a local LGBTQ+ nonprofit, working side by side to create a positive change. This event enabled LGBTQ+ ERGs to engage their members in a powerful way, while also allowing allies across the company to show their support and connect with the cause. Community Volunteer Events like this are designed to maximize impact by aligning with ERGs’ missions and providing a structured, meaningful volunteer experience.
With a nonprofit partner, cause-focused volunteer events become even more impactful. Nonprofits can provide guidance on where volunteers are most needed, ensuring that every hour spent truly makes a difference. Percent Pledge’s support in organizing these volunteer events ensures they are impactful, organized, and aligned with ERG and CSR goals, creating a rewarding experience for all involved.
Fundraising campaigns
Fundraising campaigns offer ERGs the opportunity to support important causes by raising awareness and funds for aligned nonprofits. During Black History Month, Percent Pledge helped Vimeo’s Black Employee Resource Group organize a fundraising campaign for nonprofits that empower Black communities. Fundraising campaigns like this one bring employees together to rally around a common cause, engaging both ERG members and allies company-wide.
Nonprofit partners are essential for fundraising campaigns. They guide ERGs on how to structure the campaign, set achievable goals, and communicate impact effectively. With a dedicated nonprofit partner, ERGs can create powerful campaigns that engage the entire company, build excitement, and make a real difference.
Mentorship programs
Mentorship programs offer ERGs a structured way to support professional development within their group. These programs can take two forms:
- Internal ERG mentorship: ERG members are mentored by experienced employees within the company, gaining valuable career guidance and skills development.
- Community mentorship: ERG members act as mentors for a nonprofit’s program, such as mentoring youth from underrepresented communities. This allows ERG members to give back while also building leadership skills.
With nonprofit partners who specialize in mentorship, ERGs can create impactful programs that benefit both their members and the community. Nonprofits provide resources, advice, and established frameworks, making it easier for ERGs to set up meaningful mentorship opportunities.
Cultural exchange days
Cultural exchange days allow ERG members to celebrate and share their cultural backgrounds with others in the company. This type of event might include traditional foods, music, and storytelling, promoting diversity and inclusivity. These events create a unique employee experience that brings together employees from all backgrounds, strengthening connections across the company.
Nonprofits that focus on cultural education or preservation can make these events even richer. They can bring in guest speakers, provide educational materials, and offer insights into cultural traditions. By collaborating with cultural nonprofits, ERGs can host more immersive and informative events that deepen cultural understanding across the company.
Speaker panels
Speaker panels are an excellent way for ERGs to connect employees with experts in fields relevant to their mission. For example, Percent Pledge has helped ERGs bring in speakers from nonprofits who address topics like women’s health, diversity in the workplace, and community development. Speaker panels provide valuable knowledge, raise awareness, and foster discussions on topics that matter to ERG members and allies.
Nonprofit partners can recommend speakers, suggest relevant topics, and even help promote the event. This collaboration ensures that speaker panels are informative, impactful, and engaging for all employees, fostering employee engagement and a shared sense of purpose.
Professional development workshops
Professional development workshops allow ERG members to grow professionally while gaining new skills. Recently, Percent Pledge hosted a workshop where ERG members from multiple companies gathered to learn from an ERG expert. The session covered ways to integrate CSR into an ERG’s mission, with participants learning valuable strategies for making their ERG more impactful and aligned with corporate goals.
Nonprofit partners can bring added depth to professional development workshops, offering expertise in skills that benefit the community. For example, nonprofits focused on job training or leadership development can provide trainers or resources, helping ERGs design workshops that offer real growth opportunities for employees and benefit the broader community.
How Percent Pledge empowers ERGs
Percent Pledge empowers ERGs with a powerful employee resource group platform designed to make every event and activity impactful. As an employee resource group software, Percent Pledge provides a suite of tools to help ERGs succeed in their mission. Our technology tracks ERG participation, volunteer hours, and donations, allowing companies and ERG leaders to see which ERGs are active and engaged. This competitive insight encourages higher participation rates and helps ERGs stay connected to their mission.
Percent Pledge also offers exclusive features like Community Volunteer Events, specifically designed for ERGs during cause awareness months. Our platform simplifies planning and execution, giving ERGs the resources they need to create meaningful events that engage their members and allies. Additionally, Percent Pledge connects ERGs with vetted nonprofit partners, helping them form lasting relationships that support impactful events, from fundraising campaigns to professional development workshops.
With Percent Pledge’s platform and expert support, ERGs can achieve their goals and make a lasting impact on both their company and their community. Whether it’s through organized volunteer events, data-driven insights, or partnerships with nonprofits, Percent Pledge is here to help ERGs create high-impact employee resource group activities that support employee recruitment, boost employee engagement, and build a strong, mission-driven culture.
ERGs thrive when they create events that connect employees, support important causes, and strengthen the company. Each employee resource group event idea can become more powerful with the right nonprofit partner, offering expertise and guidance that enhance impact.
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