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These days, giving back seems more valuable than ever. There’s an uptick in companies looking for ways to give back, and for many, education is the ideal place to start. Whether your team is passionate about literacy, equity, STEM, or student wellness, schools offer meaningful opportunities for long-term community impact.
But once you’ve chosen education as your focus, the next question is: What now?
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) in schools isn’t one-size-fits-all. The most effective programs tailor themselves to the needs of the local community and leverage the strengths of the supporting company.
To help you get started, we’ve rounded up seven real-world CSR education examples that combine creativity, community engagement, and measurable results.
What Is Corporate Social Responsibility in Education?
Corporate social responsibility is a business approach that aims to make a positive impact on society while aligning with a company’s values and long-term goals. And it goes far beyond donations and publicity – it’s about creating meaningful, sustainable change.
Schools face many challenges, including funding gaps, lagging literacy, and limited technology access. Supporting education through CSR allows companies to:
- Strengthen local communities
- Invest in the future workforce
- Foster employee pride and participation
- Demonstrate values-driven leadership
Schools need support, and companies need authentic ways to connect with and uplift the communities they serve, which is why CSR and education are a natural match.
7 Examples of Corporate Social Responsibility in Schools
If you’re looking for a detailed blueprint for effective CSR in education, odds are you won’t find one. But the best initiatives tend to be creative, community-driven, and closely aligned with the needs of local schools. It doesn’t matter if you’re working with a large budget or starting small – schools need help, and these examples show how companies of all sizes can make a real difference.
From literacy initiatives to mentorship and beyond, here are seven impactful ways to bring your corporate social responsibility efforts into the classroom.
1. Sponsor a Book-Based Rewards Program
If your team is looking for ways to promote literacy in your community, a book-rewards system is a great initiative to start. Programs like these reward students with a new book of their choice when they achieve personal goals, such as:
- Positive behavior
- Academic milestones
- Good attendance
- Participation in reading challenges
Schools can distribute custom tokens to students, who, in return, redeem them for reading materials they can keep forever.
Some companies even fund book vending machine sponsorships as part of the initiative – a fun, yet effective way to encourage reading skills and build home libraries outside the classroom.
For example, Bank of America and the Charlotte Hornets partnered to provide a co-branded book vending machine for Quail Hollow Middle School as part of their Attendance+ program. Students earn gold tokens for good attendance, which they can exchange for free books from the machine.
Learn how you can sponsor a school here.
2. Fund Classroom Projects Through Online Giving Platforms
Teachers want their students to thrive, but they don’t always have the means to do so. This is why they turn to platforms like DonorsChoose, AdoptAClassroom, and ClassWish to fund everything from STEM kits and classroom technology to art supplies and headphones.
Corporate partners can make a major difference by:
- Matching donations
- Fully funding classroom requests in targeted districts
- Launching custom campaigns for local schools
Some companies even create “giving challenges” to involve employees in the process, increasing internal buy-in and community visibility. You can also support schools through a Read-A-Thon fundraiser, which engages students in reading while raising money for classroom needs.
For instance, Panda Express provided a $3 million match offer through DonorsChoose, helping fund more than 10,000 projects at schools near their 2,300 locations. Similarly, PNC Bank has contributed over $10 million to early childhood classrooms through its Grow Up Great initiative, one of the largest corporate education partnerships on the platform.
3. Launch a STEM Mentorship Program
Want to put your team’s talents to good use? One of the most powerful examples of corporate social responsibility in schools is sharing your company’s expertise.
Your company may have the opportunity to:
- Offer hands-on workshops or after-school clubs
- Mentor students in robotics or coding competitions
- Host facility tours or career days
- Partner with high schools for real-world capstone projects
This kind of initiative supports education while providing hands-on experience. It gives students the opportunity to see different careers in action.
Programs like TechPoint Youth’s STEM Mentors program have been connecting teachers and robotics coaches with experienced STEM professionals since 2001. Mentors commit at least 1 hour per month to work alongside educators, helping students link classroom lessons to real-world STEM careers.
Programs like this highlight how mentorship can empower the next generation while giving professionals a chance to make a meaningful impact.
4. Provide Free School Supplies or Hygiene Kits
Another high-impact but often-overlooked CSR idea: support the day-to-day needs of students. Many families struggle to afford basic supplies, especially heading into a new school year. Sponsoring or organizing a supply drive shows tangible care for student well-being.
Your company can:
- Pack and donate supply kits to a specific grade or school
- Set up internal donation stations for employee participation
- Partner with nonprofit organizations for distribution
Hygiene kits (e.g., deodorant, toothpaste, and socks) are also in high demand, especially in middle and high schools, where kids are more self-conscious about appearance.
Community efforts like Office Depot’s Start Proud initiative show how supply drives can go beyond the basics. Volunteers and partners work together to fill backpacks with supplies and gift cards, ensuring students have what they need from the very first day of school.
5. Sponsor Student Scholarships or College Application Support
Financial barriers can keep many talented students from reaching their full potential after their K-12 schooling. Long-term change can happen by supporting access to higher education.
Some CSR education examples include:
- Funding scholarships for local high school seniors
- SAT/ACT testing costs, college application fees, or transportation to campus visits
- Hosting essay workshops or financial aid info nights in partnership with school counselors
All students deserve a fair shot at life after high school – scholarships and support programs can help level the playing field and open doors to new opportunities.
Corporate-funded scholarships are a great way to make that vision a reality. For instance, the Coca-Cola Scholars Program awards $20,000 scholarships to 150 high school seniors each year, while the Dell Scholars Program provides recipients not only with $20,000 but also a laptop and textbook credits, addressing multiple financial barriers to higher education.
6. Adopt-a-School for Ongoing Support
Donations or creating change don't have to be a one-time deal. Some companies have built long-term relationships with specific schools or districts. An “adopt-a-school” model allows you to respond to the evolving needs educators face and make a more profound impact over time with students.
Support might include:
- Monthly volunteering (reading buddies, classroom helpers)
- Annual donations of equipment or supplies
- Infrastructure support (playground repairs, technology upgrades)
- Celebrations for teachers during Appreciation Week
Consistency builds trust. Schools appreciate reliable, long-term partners they can count on year after year.
A great example of this is Subaru’s partnership with AdoptAClassroom.org, which has helped deliver school supplies to more than 750,000 students nationwide since 2021. By focusing on high-needs schools, Subaru ensures that classrooms have access to essential materials and that support continues year after year.
7. Collaborate With School-Based Nonprofits
Not sure where to start? You don’t have to go it alone. Partnering with a nonprofit organization that specializes in school support can help your CSR program hit the ground running.
Examples include:
- Literacy nonprofits that provide books and reading programs
- STEM organizations that deliver kits and curriculum
- Community groups that coordinate after-school care or food programs
Partnering with a nonprofit gives your company a direct path to proven programs, measurable impact, and a cause that aligns with your values.
The most powerful CSR work often comes from partnerships that stand the test of time. Over the past decade, UPS has worked with Boys & Girls Clubs of America to deliver road safety education to more than 60,000 teens. Coca-Cola’s relationship with Special Olympics goes back to 1968, when it became a founding partner and began providing ongoing support through funding, donations, and volunteers – an example frequently highlighted among leading corporate-nonprofit partnerships.
These collaborations prove that when companies align with the right nonprofit, the benefits can last for generations.
CSR in Schools: Make It Meaningful
We’ve said it before, and we’ll repeat it for those who came in late – no matter the size of your company, there’s a way to make a meaningful contribution to local education. From one-time book giveaways to long-term school partnerships, CSR and education go hand-in-hand when approached with care and collaboration.
Want to promote literacy in your community? Sponsoring a book rewards system is one of the most flexible and rewarding ways to do it by encouraging reading, building home libraries, and supporting student success.
With a little creativity and the right partnerships, your company can create ripple effects that last for years to come.
Need Help Getting Started?
We help organizations bring impactful reading programs to life in schools nationwide, complete with books, reward systems, and customizable solutions.
Contact us to learn more about how your company can support student literacy and engagement through CSR.
