How ERGs Drive Culture, Connection, and Social Impact

Part 4 of Deed’s ERG-Driven Impact: A Catalyst for Culture, Belonging and Change Series

Employee expectations are evolving—and so is the role of Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) in shaping workplace purpose. Today’s most impactful companies are tapping into ERGs not just for community, but as strategic drivers of culture, connection, and change.

Deed’s latest series, ERG-Driven Impact: A Catalyst for Culture, Belonging and Change, explores how ERGs can powerfully shape your social impact strategy by fueling corporate volunteering, advancing a culture of belonging, and transforming values into visible, measurable outcomes.

ERGs Are More Than Just Groups

Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) are often seen as social or support communities—but the most forward-thinking companies treat them as culture drivers and engines of social impact.

In today’s workplace, ERGs are playing a critical role in:

• Building belonging
• Amplifying diverse voices
• Shaping CSR and belonging and inclusion strategies
• Powering local and global community engagement

This post explores how ERGs are evolving—and how companies can support and scale their efforts with the right tools and frameworks.

The Business Case for ERGs

ERGs aren’t just about culture—they’re a catalyst for measurable business outcomes. When supported effectively, ERGs can boost engagement, improve retention, and strengthen inclusion across the organization. Consider the data:

• Employees who feel a sense of belonging are 3.5x more likely to be engaged (Qualtrics)
• 90% of Fortune 500s use ERGs to support new hires during onboarding (McKinsey & Company) 
• 75% of companies with ERGs list employee retention as a benefit (Forbes)
• Employees who consider their ERGs effective report higher inclusion scores (83%) compared to those who view them as ineffective (59%) (McKinsey & Company)

Well-supported ERGs don’t just enhance employee experience—they contribute to stronger, more inclusive, and more resilient organizations.

Key Functions of Modern ERGs

How Deed Supports ERGs

Deed provides tools that:

• Let ERGs organize and manage events directly on the platform
• Enable storytelling and internal recognition of ERG-led initiatives
• Integrate ERG impact into broader ESG and DEI dashboards
• Connect ERG leaders across regions with shared calendars and resources

A Fortune 500 client of Deed shared:

“Deed has played an essential role in our social impact journey, providing a platform to measure employee contributions and support new program initiatives. It has empowered our employee resource groups to lead global and local volunteering competitions and drive community engagement programs focused on inclusion, women’s empowerment, and skills development.” 

Best Practices for Scaling ERGs Through Impact

1. Resource Them Like Strategic Teams
   • Budget for programming, leadership stipends, and tools
2. Create Space for ERG Autonomy
   • Let groups lead on causes, partnerships, and event formats
3. Elevate Their Stories
   • Regularly showcase ERG impact through internal comms and executive briefings
4. Use Data to Drive Growth
   • Track participation, feedback, and outcomes—not just headcounts
5. Embed Impact into ERG Strategy
   • Align ERG initiatives with volunteering, giving, and community engagement

Turning ERGs Into Culture Catalysts

ERGs are evolving from support networks into influential drivers of culture and business outcomes.

With purpose-built platforms like Deed, these groups gain the tools to scale their ideas, track their impact, and grow their influence.

Want to power your ERGs with purpose? Deed is here to help.