Imagine a flurry of keyboards, a surge of brilliant ideas, and a collective drive to make a difference – all happening at lightning speed. That is exactly what happened this past month when Sanofi employees from across the country participated in a dynamic, virtual microvolunteering event, transforming 90 minutes into nearly $42,000 in pro bono support for nonprofits. This initiative demonstrated the significant impact achievable through skills-based volunteering.
This past month, Sanofi successfully executed a virtual microvolunteering event, mobilizing employees nationwide to provide critical support to nonprofit organizations, including Legacy Reef Foundation, a Hawaii-based nonprofit protecting ocean life. Within a focused 90-minute period, 43 Sanofi employee volunteers collaborated to generate 95 responses to time-sensitive inquiries from nonprofit leaders utilizing Catchafire's platform. These inquiries spanned diverse areas from marketing strategy to technical assistance, with each response directly addressing a pressing challenge for the participating nonprofits. Every single response directly helped a nonprofit overcome a pressing challenge, creating real-time, tangible impact.
Nonprofit beneficiaries also expressed profound appreciation for the support received. The Legacy Reef Foundation, an organization dedicated to marine conservation, noted, "The responses were thoughtful and actionable... Knowing the Sanofi group took time to consider our challenges and offer ideas is invigorating... Support like this is the wind beneath our wings."
This event exemplifies how corporate expertise and dedicated time can provide high-impact support for nonprofit organizations, simultaneously enriching employee professional development and fostering team cohesion. It is a prime example of how corporate employees can unleash their expertise to deliver high-impact support for nonprofits, all while enriching their own professional growth and building stronger, more purpose-driven teams. Sanofi's microvolunteering event proved that even a short burst of focused effort can drive real-world impact and leave everyone involved feeling more connected to something bigger.