Annual Benevity State of Corporate Purpose Report Finds Purpose Remains a Strategic Contributor to Business Success
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CALGARY, Alberta, May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today, Benevity Inc. released its fifth annual State of Corporate Purpose Report during the Benevity Live! conference in Palm Springs, California. The report shows that while corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become significantly more complex and cross-functional, it continues to be a measurable, strategic contributor to business success and resilience.
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The 2025 report reflects a defining moment for corporate purpose, with nearly two-thirds of companies having significantly shifted their corporate purpose strategies in the past year, tapping into new opportunities, and increasing budgets while responding to rising scrutiny and regulatory shifts.
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'This year's data reveals a deep tension in the corporate purpose space–one where CSR leaders are clear on the business value of their investments but are struggling with how to execute it to its maximum potential in a charged environment,' said Sona Khosla, Chief Impact Officer of Benevity and Head of Benevity Impact Labs. 'CEOs have a vital role to play in maintaining corporate trust and building business resilience by sustaining investment in purpose or risk declining revenue and loyalty from increasingly discontented employees and customers.'
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For the fifth consecutive year, the State of Corporate Purpose study was conducted by
Benevity Impact Labs, a social innovation lab and research hub. The annual survey included more than 500 corporate impact leaders from around the globe. The data shows that corporate social impact is maturing as it becomes an enterprise-wide endeavor but remains a critical strategy for building business and employee resilience.
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92% of leaders say they are investing in social impact programs because it's good for business;
88% say their impact strategy is future-proofing their business when it comes to talent acquisition and retention, customers and regulatory requirements; and
91% say they are making sure their programs support their corporate strategy & values.
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According to the 2025 Benevity State of Corporate Purpose Report, as external pressures and complexities increase in the CSR and social impact space, several key trends are at work and expected to influence and shape corporate purpose perspectives, strategies, and implementations in 2025.
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Corporate caution heightens business risk. Companies who scale back their communications and public commitments to social and environmental impact risk eroding trust among both employees and consumers, negatively impacting their brand and bottom line. While 52% of leaders say their CEOs will be less vocal this year, more than three quarters (76%) acknowledge they expect employee activism. Balancing that potential gap is a corporate risk factor that is being managed across departments, from impact professionals to communications, HR, and legal teams.
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