Budgeting for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a critical skill for modern businesses seeking to create both financial and social value. By strategically allocating resources, companies can move beyond mere philanthropy to create sustainable programs that address pressing social and environmental issues while also enhancing brand reputation, attracting top talent, and fostering customer loyalty. This approach transforms CSR from a cost center into a strategic investment, ensuring that every dollar spent contributes to measurable, positive impact and aligns with core business objectives.

This comprehensive five-day training course is designed for professionals who want to build, manage, and scale effective CSR initiatives. Participants will learn how to develop a compelling business case for CSR, secure funding, and implement a rigorous framework for measuring social return on investment (SROI). The curriculum provides practical tools and best practices for creating budgets that are transparent, accountable, and aligned with global sustainability goals, preparing you to lead your organization's journey toward responsible and impactful growth.

Duration: 5 days

Target Audience:

• CSR and Sustainability Managers
• Finance and Budgeting Professionals
• Corporate Communications Specialists
• Human Resources Leaders
• Brand and Marketing Managers
• Operations and Supply Chain Directors
• Public Relations Officers
• Executive Leadership and Board Members
• Social Impact Investors
• Project Managers

Objectives:

• Understand the strategic importance of CSR in modern business.
• Develop a compelling business case for CSR initiatives.
• Create a robust and transparent budget for CSR programs.
• Identify and align CSR spending with corporate goals and values.
• Master techniques for measuring social return on investment (SROI).
• Navigate internal stakeholders and secure buy-in for CSR budgets.
• Understand regulatory and reporting requirements for CSR spending.
• Evaluate and select high-impact CSR projects.
• Implement a system for ongoing monitoring and evaluation of CSR programs.

Course Modules:

Module 1: The Strategic imperative of CSR

• The evolution of CSR from philanthropy to strategic business function
• Linking CSR to financial performance and brand value
• The role of CSR in risk management and talent acquisition
• Global trends and reporting standards (e.g., GRI, UN SDGs)
• Creating a shared value framework for CSR

Module 2: Building the Business Case for CSR

• Quantifying the non-financial benefits of CSR
• Developing a value proposition for CSR initiatives
• Identifying key internal and external stakeholders
• Using data and analytics to support funding requests
• Communicating the ROI of CSR to leadership

Module 3: Developing a CSR Budget Framework

• Differentiating between project, operational, and capital budgeting
• Best practices for creating a transparent and flexible CSR budget
• Allocating funds across different CSR pillars (e.g., environmental, social, governance)
• The role of a dedicated CSR budget versus integration into departmental budgets
• Setting financial controls and governance for CSR spending

Module 4: Funding and Financial Management

• Sources of funding for CSR (e.g., corporate profits, grants, partnerships)
• Managing a CSR budget on a quarterly and annual basis
• Tools and software for tracking CSR spending and impact
• Financial reporting and auditing for CSR programs
• Cost-benefit analysis for CSR projects

Module 5: Measuring Social Return on Investment (SROI)

• Introduction to SROI methodology and principles
• Identifying and valuing social and environmental outcomes
• Calculating the SROI ratio and interpreting the results
• Using SROI to inform future budget decisions
• Communicating SROI to internal and external audiences

Module 6: Stakeholder Engagement and Partnership

• Engaging employees in the CSR budgeting process
• Collaborating with non-profit partners and community organizations
• The importance of stakeholder dialogue in defining priorities
• Managing expectations of investors and regulators
• Building long-term, strategic partnerships

Module 7: Risk Management and Compliance

• Identifying ethical and reputational risks in CSR
• Ensuring CSR activities align with legal and regulatory frameworks
• Best practices for due diligence on partner organizations
• The importance of transparent and honest reporting
• Navigating political and social sensitivities

Module 8: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)

• Designing a MEL framework for CSR programs
• Creating key performance indicators (KPIs) for social impact
• Collecting and analyzing data to measure progress
• Using feedback loops to adapt and improve programs
• Reporting results and communicating successes and challenges

Module 9: Action Planning for Implementation

• Developing a step-by-step plan to integrate CSR into your budget cycle
• Identifying a pilot program and securing initial resources
• Creating a timeline for implementation and assigning responsibilities
• Building an internal CSR committee or task force
• Presenting your plan for final approval and launch

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 7 working days before commencement of the training.