The Power of Purpose: How Volunteering Fuels Employee Engagement

When organizations want to boost employee engagement, morale, and productivity, they often turn to one thing: culture. Improving company culture not only increases overall employee satisfaction but also drives better retention. But company culture isn't something you can buy at the store and distribute to your employees like company-branded paperweights. Culture is earned through curated processes and intentional efforts.

No one understands this more than Adrian Kierulf-Velez, VP - External Affairs & Philanthropy at FAIRWINDS and Executive Director of the FAIRWINDS Foundation. Adrian’s journey with volunteerism began in high school, where a graduation requirement of 100 hours of service sparked a lifelong commitment to community. “A disaster relief trip to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina changed my whole perspective on volunteerism." After his trip, he found fulfillment working for organizations such as AmeriCorps, City Year, and the Orange County (Florida) Mayor's office. Finally, his path led him to spearheading philanthropic efforts at FAIRWINDS.

Building a System for Engagement

Adrian not only believes in the power of a strong company culture, but is also a forerunner in using volunteer opportunities to develop and maintain that culture at FAIRWINDS. As Adrian puts it, “I believe having volunteer opportunities adds to our workplace culture, because it shows that we're community-minded. We don't just talk about helping people; we're actively engaged in helping the community. And our crew likes feeling part of something meaningful.”

The numbers back this up. According to a study done by the Society for Human Resource Management, group volunteering helps employees bond and leads to more productive workplace relationships.¹ Meanwhile, we see this directly in employee retention here at FAIRWINDS, with our average retention rate at 8.5 years — double the national average of 4.1 years.²

In addition to retention, volunteer opportunities increase employee satisfaction. According to a Double the Donation study, companies that offer paid volunteer time off see a 7.5% increase in employee engagement and a 13% boost in productivity.³

But building an employee culture fueled by community involvement and giving is more than just offering a few volunteer opportunities a year. It's about building systems and processes that allow employees to actually engage with volunteering. Adrian explained, “We do a lot to provide employees with volunteer opportunities. For example, we offer eight hours of paid time off to volunteer each year, and we're always looking for new volunteer activities. Some events allow employees to bring family or friends, really opening up our reach and helping employees engage in the way that works best for them.”

The Data Behind Volunteering's Impact

Through this system, Adrian has encouraged employees to give back to the community in a big way. In 2024, FAIRWINDS employees volunteered over 730 hours in Central Florida. According to the Independent Sector and the Do Good Institute, the value of a volunteer hour in 2024 was $34.79.⁴ With FAIRWINDS volunteering over 700 hours, that service represents over $25,000 in community impact.

“My goal for 2026 is to reach or exceed 1,000 hours. And my team has a lot of initiative in the works to help get there,” Adrian shares.

One of these initiatives is a platform where employees can sign up for and track their volunteer hours right from the employee hub. This system will not only be a central place to keep people up to date on all volunteer opportunities coming up, but will also automatically log hours in the time-keeping system. “I'm hoping this removes some of the friction and encourages more employees to engage in volunteerism.”

Looking Ahead with Purpose

In a world that is changing fast, I asked Adrian how he keeps up with employees' volunteering interests. He explained, “Because different causes resonate with different employees, I encourage our crew to bring ideas forward for organizations they're passionate about. Employee excitement often fuels more employee engagement.”

It's through this passion for employee engagement and volunteerism that Adrian has helped build the FAIRWINDS philanthropic reputation in the community. “We're known for our mission of Financial Freedom, and I want our crew and the community as a whole to understand that volunteerism ties back into our commitment to living generously. Whether hosting a financial seminar for youth, working with community partners, or holding a food drive, we're still using financial freedom as our guiding principle.”

Thinking Bigger

Employees value authenticity and transparency. That's why every organization should focus on these principles. But as an institution focused on financial freedom, FAIRWINDS doesn't just talk the talk; we put these values into action. And a big part of that is through volunteerism.

“I'm always trying to push us towards something bigger,” said Adrian. “I want volunteerism to take front and center as we go into the new year so we can continue the momentum we've built over the years.”

Overall, it's through this volunteer push that, as an organization, we've not only increased our community involvement through volunteer hours but also fostered a culture of generosity across the organization. That’s why, last year, we were able to raise $150,000 in employee donations to support Central Florida nonprofits, and through our FAIRWINDS Foundation, awarded $500,000 in grants to advance financial literacy initiatives.

In a world that’s changing fast, the power of purpose — expressed through volunteering — remains a constant force for good. It’s not just about what we do for others, it’s about who we become together.