ACCP Staff
The 2025 CSR Insights Report is now available—and it provides a powerful snapshot of how the corporate social impact field is evolving in real time. Released by ACCP and YourCause from Blackbaud, the sixth annual survey tracks the challenges, shifts, and emerging practices shaping the work of CSR leaders today.
To mark the release, ACCP President & CEO Andrea Wood joined Andrew Troup, Director of Corporate Giving & Engagement Strategy at Blackbaud, for a candid fireside chat[JM1] . The conversation went beyond the data to explore what it all means for practitioners navigating change, pressure, and rising expectations. ACCP members can also view the webcast recording in the ACCP Resource Library.
Key Findings from the 2025 CSR Insights Report
1. Budgets are shifting, but not uniformly.
- 39% of CSR teams saw budget increases in 2025.
- Employee engagement budgets rose the most, while operations and grantmaking remained flat.
- Corporate foundations saw a modest increase in budget allocations.
- Overall most CSR operations, grantmaking, employee engagement and corporate foundation budgets are flat or increasing.
2. Language is changing, but DEI related work continues.
- 72% of CSR professionals are concerned about the impact of the Executive Orders on DEI.
- While the integration of DEI into CSR dropped sharply from 51% in 2023 to just 12% in 2025, many companies are quietly continuing the work under broader umbrellas and internal networks.
3. Practitioners are gaining influence.
- 52% of CSR professionals say their work is better understood and valued internally.
- Despite increasing responsibilities, respondents report stronger internal visibility, more cross-functional collaboration, and new opportunities for career growth.
4. Use of AI is growing significantly.
- Companies are experimenting with AI for volunteer messaging, grant summaries, and participation heatmaps.
- More complex applications—like internal data analysis or impact measurement—face slower adoption, especially in highly regulated industries.
- CSR professionals are routinely using AI tools in their work, for content generation, storytelling, and productivity,
5. Social impact is becoming more strategic.
- Teams are aligning cause areas with business priorities, not just brand identity.
- Business case framing is essential—especially as many companies shift toward “safer” issue areas under public scrutiny.
What We Heard During the Webcast
Andrea and Andrew shared real-world examples from ACCP members and Blackbaud clients:
- Teams are reframing long-standing programs to align more directly with business goals.
- CSR leaders are piloting dashboards and automation to reduce manual burden and elevate storytelling.
- Companies are navigating evolving DEI realities by adapting language while maintaining core commitments.
- There’s a noticeable shift toward recognizing CSR professionals as strategic partners, not just program owners.
Want to Dig Deeper?
The full report includes:
- Data on budget, staffing, and functional ownership
- Insights into employee engagement trends
- Trends on how CSR professionals are experiencing increased visibility in their companies
Whether you’re advocating for resources, evolving your strategy, or just looking for peer benchmarking, this report will ground your decisions in real-world insight.
