In the world of nonprofit fundraising, volunteer grants represent an often untapped opportunity to expand your organization’s financial support. These programs allow companies to donate money to nonprofits where their employees volunteer, turning hours of service into valuable funding. Yet, many nonprofits and volunteers remain unaware of the initiatives and the potential they hold.
In this post, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about volunteer grants—what they are, how they work, and how your nonprofit can maximize them. Specifically, we’ll cover the following:
- What are volunteer grants?
- How the volunteer grant process works
- The value of volunteer grants for nonprofits
- Common volunteer grant challenges & solutions
By understanding and leveraging volunteer grants for your cause, you can deepen corporate relationships, increase volunteer engagement, and ultimately expand your funding horizons. Let’s begin!
What are volunteer grants?
Volunteer grants, also known as "dollars for doers" programs, are a type of corporate philanthropy initiative in which companies provide monetary donations to the nonprofits where their employees regularly volunteer.
In these programs, companies generally establish a specific number of volunteer hours an employee must contribute to a nonprofit organization in order to unleash corporate funds. Once that threshold is met, the company agrees to donate a set amount of money (often based on the number of hours the individual contributes) to the nonprofit on behalf of the employee.
How the volunteer grant process works
Volunteer grants can supply nonprofit organizations with a unique and invaluable source of funding. But how does the process work exactly?
Take a look at the following step-by-step overview:
- An individual volunteers with your nonprofit.
- The individual checks their eligibility for a volunteer grant (either using a volunteer grant database or by reaching out to their employer directly).
- The individual submits an application for a grant to their company, typically through their employer’s CSR platform.
- The company reviews the volunteer grant application, ensuring the submission adheres to the company’s program guidelines.
- The company approves the request and sends a check to the nonprofit.
In the end, the process not only incentivizes employee volunteerism but also helps nonprofits receive both hands-on support and financial contributions from corporate sponsors. Talk about a win-win!
The value of volunteer grants for nonprofits
Speaking of winning, volunteer grants can have a powerful impact on the nonprofits that receive them. But what exactly are the benefits offered by these programs?
Significant advantages include (but are not limited to):
- Additional funding — Volunteer grants turn supporters’ donated hours into a generous source of revenue for nonprofits like yours. By targeting the programs, you can increase your volunteer ROI (or return on investment) and collect more corporate dollars to reinvest in your cause.
- Greater volunteer engagement — The availability of a volunteer grant can go a long way in driving volunteer engagement. You can use the programs to recruit new supporters, deepen existing relationships, and keep volunteers coming back time and time again.
- Opportunities for corporate partnerships — Volunteer grants can function as a powerful connector between nonprofits and businesses. The more you benefit from the programs, the stronger you can grow your relationships with the corporations supporting your cause already.
All in all, volunteer grants not only provide vital financial contributions but also create opportunities for relationship-building, awareness, and sustainable growth. For nonprofits, engaging corporate volunteers and tapping into volunteer grants can have long-lasting benefits for their mission and community impact.
With additional financial resources and volunteer support both, nonprofits can scale their programs, expand their services, and even reach new communities that may have been previously inaccessible.
Common volunteer grant challenges & solutions
While volunteer grants are a valuable source of both volunteer labor and financial support for nonprofits, they also come with some challenges in maximizing the opportunity. However, with the right strategies, these obstacles can be effectively addressed, leading to more support overall.
Below, we’ll address some common challenges nonprofits face while targeting volunteer grants, as well as potential solutions for each:
Challenge #1: Unfamiliarity with leading volunteer grant companies
Many nonprofits lack information regarding which companies offer volunteer grant programs. This unfamiliarity can lead to missed opportunities to engage volunteers, connect with corporate partners, and receive volunteer grants.
Solution: Research and make a note of top volunteer grant programs.
We recommend taking the time to actively research and identify companies known for offering volunteer grant programs. This can be done by reviewing compilation lists online (such as this one from Double the Donation) or by investing in a volunteer grant database to access even more information.
Once identified, it’s a good idea to create and maintain a list of these companies. This reference can be used to communicate with volunteers who might work for these organizations, making it easier to remind them of grant opportunities.
Challenge #2: Lack of awareness among volunteers
Even when a company offers volunteer grants, many employees are unaware of these programs. As a result, they may not apply for grants after volunteering, causing nonprofits like yours to miss out on potential funding.
Solution: Market volunteer grants to your supporters.
To increase awareness of the programs, nonprofits should proactively market volunteer grant opportunities to their supporters. This can be done through newsletters, email campaigns, social media, and direct communications during volunteer onboarding or events.
In these messages, be sure to include step-by-step instructions on how volunteers can apply for the grants. This might include eligibility requirements, an overview of the process for logging volunteer hours, and the expected timeframes for grant submissions.
We also recommend sending follow-up emails after volunteer events, thanking your supporters and reminding them to submit their volunteer grant requests. After all, clear and consistent communication can significantly boost awareness and participation.
Challenge #3: Missing or outdated employment information
To take advantage of volunteer grant programs, nonprofits need accurate information about where their supporters work. However, many organizations don’t actively collect this data, or it becomes outdated over time.
Solution: Collect employer data as volunteers engage with your cause.
For the best results, nonprofits should request employer information during volunteer sign-ups, event registrations, or membership forms. Making this a routine part of the onboarding process allows you to ensure you can identify and follow up with potential volunteer grant opportunities.
From there, be sure to maintain updated records, regularly updating your database to reflect changes in volunteers’ employment. The easiest way is to verify the information each time they sign up to volunteer for your cause by integrating 360MatchPro Volunteer Hub with your VMS or volunteer registration platform!
Challenge #4: Disorganized volunteer hour-tracking and reporting
Keeping track of volunteer hours is essential for securing volunteer grants, as many companies require verification of hours. However, without an organized system, nonprofits may struggle to log volunteer time accurately, leading to delays or lost grant opportunities.
Solution: Establish an efficient system for tracking volunteers’ time.
We recommend adopting or leveraging a Volunteer Management Software system that allows your team to track volunteer hours in real time. These tools can also automate much of the reporting process, making it easier for nonprofits to collect the information and verify hours when needed.
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Conclusion
Volunteer grants provide a powerful way for nonprofits to convert volunteer hours into essential funding, all while fostering stronger relationships with corporate partners. By educating your supporters, actively seeking out opportunities, and promoting the benefits of volunteer grants, your nonprofit can tap into a valuable funding stream that supports both your mission and your volunteers’ efforts.
As you explore these opportunities, remember that each volunteer hour has the potential to do more—not just through direct service but by fueling your organization with the financial resources it needs to grow. Take the first step in expanding your nonprofit’s funding horizons by integrating volunteer grants into your strategy today. Good luck!
