According to Gallup, only 31% of U.S. employees report feeling truly engaged at work. This gap represents both a significant risk and an untapped opportunity.

As organizations plan for 2026 and beyond, one truth stands out: culture and engagement are no longer side projects. They are strategic drivers of connection, performance, and retention. The strongest workplaces have discovered that meaning and purpose are not a distraction from business results, they are the foundation that sustains them.

Purpose-driven engagement experiences like MATTERbox packing events offer companies a practical, energizing way to turn values into action. When employees gather to serve together, packing beneficial MATTERbox snack kits or assembling needed hope kits, the impact extends far beyond the walls of the company. It reshapes how people see their work and one another.

The ROI of Purpose-Driven Engagement

The business case for investment is clear. Consider these Gallup research findings:

• Retention Impact: Companies with strong engagement strategies see up to 51% less turnover, significantly reducing the cost of replacing employees
• Productivity Gains: Highly engaged employees achieve 23% greater profitability and up to 18% higher productivity  
• Improved Presence: Highly engaged employees show 78% less absenteeism

Purpose-driven engagement isn’t a “nice-to-have”—it’s a strategic investment with measurable returns.

Why It’s Worth the Investment

“Culture really does drive everything,” says Coralyn Musser, Director of Outreach & Engagement at MEI. “You can have the best strategy in the world, but if your people aren’t connected to something meaningful, it won’t stick.”

This insight reflects what forward-thinking organizations are discovering: culture and business performance are inseparable.

MEI’s experience with MATTER clearly reflects this truth. Earlier this year, during the National Association of Elevator Contractors (NAEC) conference in Houston, MEI Total Elevator Solutions partnered with MATTER to host a MATTERbox packing event. In just under two hours, more than a hundred participants packed over 5,000 healthy snack kits for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston.

The result went beyond the numbers. “You could feel the energy in the room,” Musser shared. “Competitors, suppliers, and customers were suddenly laughing, cheering, and working side by side. That’s the power of shared purpose. It breaks down barriers and reminds us that we’re all part of something bigger.”

When companies invest in these kinds of experiences, they are not only giving back, they are strengthening the very culture that drives business performance. Employees return re-energized, more connected, and proud to work for an organization that lives its values. As Musser put it, “Doing good isn’t separate from good business. They go hand in hand. When you lead with purpose, the results follow.”

5 Steps to Build a Program That Lasts

For companies planning their future engagement strategies, the key is to start small and think long. As Musser advises, “You don’t have to launch a massive program. Just find one cause that connects with your company’s heart and values. The goal is to build early momentum and prove that engagement doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful.”

1. Start with One Aligned Cause That early momentum is what turns a single event into part of a company’s identity. Begin with a cause that genuinely connects to your company’s values and mission. Authenticity matters more than scale.

2. Secure Visible Leadership Participation Leadership buy-in is critical. When leaders participate and lead by example, they send a powerful message about what truly matters. Executives who roll up their sleeves alongside their teams create cultural permission for everyone to engage.

3. Make It Easy to Say Yes Partnering with a platform like MATTER makes this simple and scalable. MATTERbox events are designed to fit the needs of any organization, whether it’s a regional team or a national workforce. Our team handles the logistics so companies can focus on what counts, creating experiences that build connection, pride, and purpose. Unlike traditional volunteer programs requiring months of coordination, MATTERbox events are turnkey—minimizing internal lift while maximizing impact.

4. Measure and Communicate Impact Track both community outcomes (kits packed, families served) and internal metrics (participation rates and employee feedback). Share these stories across your organization to build momentum and demonstrate impact.

5. Build Consistency Over Time Over time, that consistency transforms volunteerism from a one-time event into a defining part of workplace culture. Quarterly or bi-annual events create rhythm without overwhelming teams.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Now is the moment to embed purpose into your engagement strategy. The workplace continues to evolve—with hybrid models, multigenerational teams, and heightened expectations around corporate values—and leaders are rethinking how to create culture in ways that resonate across teams, offices, and time zones.

Purpose-driven engagement offers a unifying thread, one that connects employees to a shared sense of meaning while creating tangible community impact.

Start small. Keep it consistent. And let purpose become part of how your people experience work, not just an extra activity, but an essential part of your business rhythm.

Ready to Bring Purpose to Life in Your Organization?

Plan Your Event: Connect with MATTER to start planning your MATTERbox employee engagement event that makes a difference for your team, your culture, and your community.

Learn More: Case studies from companies who have conducted MATTERbox events

Frequently Asked Questions

How much time does a MATTERbox event require? Most events run 90-120 minutes and require minimal internal planning since we handle the logistics.

Can remote or hybrid teams participate? Yes, we offer flexible formats for distributed teams and hybrid work environments.

What causes can we support? MATTERbox packing events can help organizations in your community or communities. We’ll help match your values to impact areas.

What about budget constraints? Purpose-driven engagement is an investment that pays dividends in retention, productivity, and culture. When compared to the cost of high turnover (50-200% of salary per employee), engagement programs deliver significant ROI. MATTERbox events are designed to be cost-effective and scalable to any budget.

We don’t have bandwidth for complex planning. Can we still do an event?  That’s exactly why turnkey solutions like MATTERbox exist. Our team manages logistics, materials, and impact measurement—your team simply shows up and engages.  

Will employees actually participate? Purpose-driven activities consistently see higher engagement rates than traditional team-building. When people see their work creating real community impact, participation becomes organic rather than obligatory.