Partner with BIG Alliance
Give your colleagues meaningful volunteering in Islington, without the hassle of organising it yourself. We find the opportunities, manage every detail and show you the difference your team makes.
Talk to our teamWhat you get as a business partner
A dedicated team
We plan and run every volunteering opportunity from start to finish, so your team can simply turn up and make a difference.
All four pillars
Team Challenges, skills-based volunteering, education programmes and time with residents, chosen to fit your goals.
A Team Challenge allowance
Practical team days included in your partnership, with an allowance based on your partnership level.
Impact reporting
Clear reports on your volunteers’ hours and impact, aligned with B4SI and ready for your CSR and ESG reporting.
The BIG Reference Group
A seat alongside our other business partners to hear about impact, community needs and sector trends.
Local knowledge
We work closely with community partners and networks, Voluntary Action Islington, Islington Council and Islington Giving to understand where need is greatest, so your team’s time goes where it matters most.
Good for Islington, good for your business
Volunteering builds the skills, engagement and reputation businesses need. In our research with business partners, companies told us that employees who volunteer progress faster, that clients look at CSR credentials before renewing contracts, and that job candidates ask about volunteering when choosing an employer.
100%
of business volunteers reported improved wellbeing
90%
deepened their understanding of community challenges
89%
developed skills such as decision making and strategic planning
Source: ELBA and BIG Alliance Annual Impact Digest 2024–25.
How partnership works
1
Talk to us
Tell us about your organisation, your goals and how much time your colleagues can give.
2
We design your year
We put together a plan of opportunities with community partners we know well.
3
We manage and report
We organise every detail on the day and send you impact reporting afterwards.
Partnership is based on an annual charitable contribution, tailored to the size of your organisation. Some programmes, such as Mentoring Works, have an additional cost, and some community partners need a small materials budget for Team Challenges. We’ll always tell you upfront.
The BIG Reference Group
Our business partners meet regularly as the BIG Reference Group, chaired by Rachel Engel of Macquarie. It’s where you hear what your volunteering has achieved, understand what Islington’s communities need next, and work with other partners towards shared CSR goals.
Achievements
Updates on the impact of partners’ volunteering across Islington.
Community needs
The challenges facing local community partners, and where support is needed most.
Sector trends
What’s changing in corporate purpose, volunteering and the community sector.
Collaboration
A space to share insights with other partners and work together on your CSR goals.
Questions businesses ask us
How much does partnership cost?
Partnership is an annual charitable contribution based on the size of your organisation. Get in touch and we’ll talk you through the options.
How many volunteers do we need?
There’s no fixed number. Team Challenges suit groups of 5–40, and many skills and education opportunities are for individuals or small teams.
Can you tailor a programme to our goals?
Yes. We regularly design bespoke projects, from graduate programmes to long-term school partnerships.
What happens on a volunteering day?
We brief your team beforehand, our staff and community partners welcome you on the day, and everything you need is ready when you arrive.
Where does the work take place?
Across Islington, and sometimes at your own office, for example when hosting a Social Hub or a Career Insight Visit.
Are you part of a larger organisation?
Yes. BIG Alliance is part of ELBA, the East London Business Alliance, and was founded and is funded by Islington Giving and Macquarie Group.
Let’s talk
Tell us a little about your organisation and we’ll be in touch.