Real Stories from Our Amazing Volunteers: How Skills-Based Volunteering Unlocks Talent, Innovation, and Impact

At MovingWorlds, we see the ripple effects that occur when people volunteer their skills. Our platform connects corporate professionals with social innovators in need of business support—and in doing so, it catalyzes change in every direction: for communities, for companies, and for the people who power them.

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In this post, and the videos below, we are really excited to share some of the amazing highlights that our volunteers have experienced as a result of giving their time and talents via the MovingWorlds platform, and our partnerships with corporate partners.

Real Stories from the Frontlines of Impact

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In our latest panel discussion, we heard directly from professionals from F5, EY, Reckitt and SAP who participated in our global skills-based volunteering programs. Their insights went far beyond the expected. Here are a few standout moments:

• Lisa from EY shared how working with a sustainability-focused startup in Brazil allowed her to use human-centered design in an entirely new context—helping shape go-to-market messaging and strategy.

• Maddie from F5 emphasized how even foundational operations and project management skills were transformative for a grassroots nonprofit supporting kinship caregivers in Seattle.

• Valencia from Reckitt bridged the gap between science and storytelling, helping a West African grain startup communicate across stakeholders.

• Laurent from SAP reminded us that the most valuable contributions often begin by asking better questions and zooming out to see the bigger picture.

Each story echoed the same truth: these professionals didn’t just give. They grew.

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And while the human stories alone are powerful, they also point to a bigger business truth: skills-based volunteering offers a strategic return on investment that companies can’t afford to overlook. In a world of tightening budgets and increasing demands on corporate responsibility teams, it can be hard to justify new initiatives. But the ROI of skills-based volunteering is well-documented—and increasingly strategic. Here are the core benefits our community of CSR leaders draw on to justify and grow their budgets for these kinds of programs:

• Leadership & Talent Development: Professionals practice empathy, communication, cross-cultural collaboration, and creative problem-solving in real-world environments.

• Innovation Mindset: Navigating ambiguity and applying existing skills in new ways builds the very agility needed to compete in today’s market.

• Engagement & Retention: Employees return energized, validated, and more connected to their company’s purpose.

• Brand & Social License to Operate: Stakeholders notice when companies invest authentically in community impact.

Want to see the numbers? Explore our guide to building the business case for corporate skills-based volunteering.

Watch the Full Webinar

Want to hear these inspiring volunteers in their own words? Check out the full video here.

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Final Thought: Build Culture, Not Just Campaigns

Skills-based volunteering isn’t just a CSR activity. It’s a culture-building lever. One that inspires action, shapes leadership, and aligns business goals with human values. At MovingWorlds, we’re proud to help CSR leaders launch and scale these programs across their organizations.

If you’re exploring how to start or expand skills-based volunteering at your company, we’d love to support you: see our latest case study, or get in touch with us here.