Leveraging Employee Resource Groups

Many companies — including 90% of Fortune 500 companies* — have employee resource groups, also called affinity groups, business network groups, or inclusion councils. These voluntary, employee-led groups provide employees with shared characteristics or common interests and experiences with an easy way to engage with each other. Successful resource groups welcome all employees and have an executive sponsor.

Benefits of Employee Resource Groups:

• Increase employee engagement, recruitment, and retention

• Fulfill business objectives, such as product development

• Support diversity and inclusion initiatives

• Provide professional development, mentoring, and networking opportunities

• Mobilize around a local community cause or issue to enhance company’s reputation

• Serve as a sounding board for new company programs

• Identify emerging company leaders

Types of Employee Resource Groups:

• African Americans

• Asian Americans

• Hispanic or Latino

• LGBTQ

• Parents

• People with disabilities or special needs

• Women

• Young professionals or future leaders

• And more

Connect Employee Resource Groups to Your Campaign:

• Offer group members leadership opportunities in the campaign

• Ask groups to host specific events or activities and recruit their membership to attend

• Allow groups to create content and resources to raise awareness and support your efforts

• Encourage groups to choose an issue during your campaign to support through fundraising or volunteering

• Ask group members to share why they give or volunteer

*Approximately 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies have employee resource groups (ERGs) according to Bentley University in Waltham, Mass.