Corporate Social Responsibility
A general definition of CSR which has been adopted by the European Commission is:

"CSR is a consept whereby companies decide voluntrarily to contribute to a better society and a cleaner environment"

So CSR has a great deal to with how the tenderer relates to the local community.
Clearly the use of volunteers is an important aspect of the CSR but also is:

• purchasing from local suppliers;
• helping service users to act as volunteers in the community;
• services for older people linking with schools for reminiscence style activities;
• defined routes for driving between premises which minimise use of fuel;
• other similar activities

A CSR policy involves addressing aspescts of the company or organisation's

• customers;
• suppliers;
• environmental management;
• local community; and
• employees

So charitable status is clearly an aspect of CSR it is by no means the whole story.

Download full explanation of Tendering and CSR with an initial policy checklist