10 Corporate Social Responsibility Examples (and Why They Work)
If you’re setting out to build a stronger CSR programme — or simply looking for inspiration — real-world examples are the best place to start.
This guide isn’t just a list of big brands doing good. It’s a breakdown of what effective corporate social responsibility looks like today: practical, measurable, and embedded in business.
We’ll show you 10 examples of social responsibility across industries, explain what makes them work, and share tips you can borrow — whether you’re just starting or evolving your strategy.
We’ll be covering:
What Counts as a CSR Example?
10 Examples of Social Responsibility In Real Businesses
Salesforce – Volunteering That’s Baked Into Culture
Patagonia – Climate Action at the Core
Microsoft – Digital Inclusion Done Right
LEGO – Purpose Through Play
Google – AI for the Planet
Unilever – Supply Chain with Soul
Ben & Jerry’s – Advocacy with Flavour
IKEA – Circular Economy in Action
Diageo – Community Investment & Inclusion
Domestic & General – Wellbeing That Works
What These CSR Examples Have in Common
Want to Build Your Own CSR Programme?
Final Thought: CSR That Feels Like You
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What Counts as a CSR Example?
Before we get started, a quick clarification. When people search for things like “CSR examples,” they often want clarity on the difference between “types” of CSR.
We’ve broken that down in our types of CSR guide, but here’s the short version:
The four main types of CSR are:
Environmental – tackling climate change, reducing waste, and conserving resources
Ethical – fair treatment of workers, responsible sourcing
Philanthropic – giving back to the community, financially or through time and expertise
Economic – investing in sustainable innovation or giving back
But this article isn’t about those overarching concepts, it’s all about what CSR looks like in practice — real CSR initiative examples from companies already putting it to work.
10 Examples of Social Responsibility In Real Businesses
1. Salesforce – Volunteering That’s Baked Into Culture
Salesforce doesn’t treat CSR as an add-on. Every employee gets seven paid days a year to volunteer, and their 1-1-1 model — donating 1% of equity, 1% of product, and 1% of employee time — has supported over 55,000 organisations worldwide.
Since launching in 1999, the company has donated $700 million in grants, along with 8.7 million employee volunteer hours and its technology to more than 56,000 nonprofit and education customers. The company onboarding includes volunteering to ensure that social responsibility is embedded from day one.
What you can take from this:
Make CSR participation easy. Paid time off to volunteer sends a clear signal
Connect CSR with onboarding and team-building to make it part of daily culture
Provide structured opportunities across global locations — this helps drive consistency and uptake
Tip: Need inspiration for scaling this kind of program? Explore OnHand’s volunteering examples.
2. Patagonia – Climate Action at the Core
When Patagonia’s founder Yvon Chouinard published the “Earth Is Now Our Only Stakeholder” announcement, revealing that 100% of the company’s profits after reinvestment in the business would go directly to fight climate change in 2022, it made headlines globally — but it was also a continuation of decades of deep-rooted environmental activism.
The company’s values show up everywhere: in radical supply chain transparency, lifetime guarantees on products, and ongoing grassroots funding. Patagonia’s "Earth Tax" policy has directed over $140 million to environmental nonprofits through 1% of sales.
What sets them apart:
Radical transparency (they publish their supply chain impact)
Long-term funding for grassroots climate action
A clear refusal to follow fast fashion trends
This is one of the most iconic CSR company examples, not because it’s flashy — but because it’s consistent across decades, decisions, and departments.
3. Microsoft – Digital Inclusion Done Right
Microsoft’s CSR strategy covers climate action, AI ethics, responsible sourcing, and inclusive hiring — but one of its standout CSR initiative’s examples is its work in digital equity.
Since 2020, Microsoft has trained more than 80 million people in digital skills through its Global Skills Initiative. It also runs the Airband Initiative, expanding broadband access to underserved rural communities around the world.
What you can borrow:
Align your CSR with what your business already does best
Focus on long-term capability building, not just one-off donations
Combine tech innovation with accessible partnerships (e.g. local governments and NGOs)
It’s a reminder that corporate social responsibility activities don’t have to be separate from your product — they can enhance it.
4. LEGO – Purpose Through Play
LEGO has long positioned itself as a champion for childhood development, and their CSR strategy reflects that focus — combining sustainability, education, and play..
In 2020, the company is invested over $400 million through to make its operations more sustainable. LEGO has already transitioned to start using recycled plastics, and at present, 93% of its packaging by weight is made from paper, cardboard and other paper-based materials. Plus, they’re working towards net-zero by using renewable energy in their factories in the US and Vietnam.
Their community investments include:
Bringing learning through play to millions of children with the support of dedicated LEGO employees, the LEGO Foundation, and partners across the globe
Partnering with UNICEF to implement and advocate for the children’s rights
The Prescription for Play program, designed to embed learning through play into well-child visits for children aged 18 – 36 months
Why it works:
They know their area of expertise and stay focused on it
They invest big — and transparently
They see CSR as an opportunity for joy and equity
5. Google – AI for the Planet
Google’s CSR shines in its environmental and AI-driven social initiatives. Their AI for the sustainability programme uses Google's capabilities to address real-world climate risks. Their flood forecasting models now reach over 460 million people across 80+ countries.
They're also working with partners to combat wildfires using AI-powered detection systems. Meanwhile, Google is investing in 24/7 carbon-free energy for all operations by 2030 — a step beyond just carbon neutrality.
How they do it:
Use AI to predict and mitigate the effects of climate disasters
Offer carbon reduction tools to businesses via Google Cloud
Invest in open-source tools and research to scale progress
It’s one of the smartest CSR activities examples: using what you're uniquely good at to deliver global impact.
6. Unilever – Supply Chain with Soul
Unilever’s CSR strategy goes deep into its supply chain. It doesn’t just tick ESG boxes — it rethinks how its products are made, sold, and consumed.
Through its partnership with the UK government, Unilever has delivered over 250,000 handwashing stations around the world and trained over 450,000 community health workers and teachers to deliver information on the importance of correct hygiene practice.
By 2039, Unilever aims to achieve net-zero emissions across its value chain.
Some of their most outstanding CSR initiatives include:
Empowering suppliers and farmers with fair pay and regenerative agriculture
Embedding purpose into global brands
Transparent progress reports with data you can actually verify
This kind of CSR isn’t just good PR — it’s a competitive advantage in sectors where trust drives purchasing decisions.
7. Ben & Jerry’s – Advocacy with Flavour
Ben & Jerry’s doesn’t shy away from politics — in fact, it’s part of their brand. From Black Lives Matter to climate justice, their CSR initiatives include public campaigns, internal hiring targets, and grantmaking through the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation, which donates 7.5% of annual profits to grassroots causes.
Why it stands out:
Authenticity: their activism dates back decades, not just recent trend-chasing
Integration: social responsibility shows up in their supply chain, HR policies, and marketing
Risk-taking: they're willing to polarise to push for change
This is one of the boldest CSR examples companies can study — especially if you're exploring how to balance values with brand voice.
8. IKEA – Circular Economy in Action
IKEA tackles sustainability at scale.
Its commitment to a circular economy encourages customers to acquire, care for, and pass on products in circular ways, and its products increasingly use recycled or renewable materials (currently 17% of its materials are recycled and 55% are renewable).
Some more key wins:
A massive investment of €1 billion in climate action
Electric delivery fleets in key cities
Accessible pricing to make sustainable living affordable
CSR here isn’t a niche — it’s the business model. And it’s a great CSR activity example for companies with physical products looking to reduce waste and emissions.
9. Diageo – Community Investment & Inclusion
Diageo, the global beverage company behind Guinness, Smirnoff and Johnnie Walker, is a standout example of CSR initiatives that blend community investment, sustainability, and inclusion.
Their ‘Society 2030: Spirit of Progress’ strategy sets out ambitious goals, including reaching 1 billion people with responsible drinking messages and achieving net zero carbon across operations.
Some of Diageo’s key CSR initiatives include:
Ensuring 100% of their packaging is recyclable
Moving towards regenerative agricultural sourcing, with pilots in Scotland, Ireland and Mexico to reduce the impact of farming for our grain, barley and agave
A flagship water stewardship programme in water-stressed areas
Diageo proves that CSR is more than just philanthropy — it's about building resilient, inclusive communities while protecting long-term business health.
10. Domestic & General – Wellbeing That Works
Domestic & General (D&G), the UK’s leading appliance care provider, has woven social impact and employee wellbeing into its company culture by partnering with OnHand, the all-in-one partner for people, purpose, and planet.
With a focus on scalable, measurable action, D&G’s CSR approach includes a strategic volunteering programme and a wellbeing strategy that’s boosted participation and engagement across their workforce.
What makes it work:
Over 1,500 employee-led volunteering missions completed annually
Over 52,000 trees planted
A system that lets staff suggest and log their own impact activities
This is one of the more down-to-earth CSR company examples, because it shows how medium-sized businesses can embed social impact into their day-to-day, not just through big campaigns, but through meaningful choices made by employees themselves.
What These CSR Examples Have in Common
Here’s what to take away from these brands — no matter your size, sector, or CSR maturity:
1. They start with strengths
Every example here reflects the company’s unique capabilities. You don’t have to do everything — just start with what you do best.
2. They engage employees
From volunteering to skill sharing, the best CSR programmes invite people in — not just tick boxes.
3. They measure what matters
Great CSR isn’t about headlines. It’s about tracking progress and learning what works.
4. They evolve
No initiative is perfect on day one. CSR success comes from iterating, listening, and improving.
Want to Build Your Own CSR Program?
You don’t need a billion-dollar budget to get started. But you do need clarity, consistency, and commitment.
These guides will help:
The benefits of CSR (hint: they go far beyond brand image)
Final Thought: CSR That Feels Like You
Looking at CSR company examples is helpful — but don’t get stuck in comparison. The best CSR initiative is the one that feels like a natural extension of your brand, your people, and your purpose.
Pick one thing to try. Start small. Measure the impact. Build from there.
And if you want support? That’s what we’re here for. Book a chat with OnHand today and start building your CSR strategy.
