Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is the umbrella term for a company's voluntary initiatives to contribute positively to society beyond its commercial obligations. It encompasses philanthropy, community engagement, environmental stewardship, ethical supply chain management, employee volunteerism, and diversity and inclusion programs.

CSR vs. ESG

CSR is what a company does for society. ESG is how investors evaluate a company's non-financial risks and performance. CSR is outward-facing and voluntary. ESG is increasingly regulated, standardized, and investor-driven. The communications strategies overlap but serve different audiences.

Communications Approach

Show, don't tell. Impact reports with measurable outcomes outperform press releases with aspirational language. Employee stories outperform executive quotes. Third-party validation (charity partners, impact certifications, independent audits) outperforms self-congratulation.

Risks

"CSR-washing" — publicizing small initiatives to distract from larger negative impacts — is a reputation risk that sophisticated stakeholders and journalists detect quickly. Authenticity is the bar: the CSR program should reflect the company's actual values and capabilities, not a public-relations exercise.

Employee Impact

CSR programs are increasingly important for talent acquisition and retention. Employees — especially younger professionals — choose employers partly based on social impact. Communicating CSR internally is as important as communicating it externally.