A Complete Look at Volunteer Grants For Fundraisers

A Complete Look at Volunteer Grants For Fundraisers

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Picture this: A small community center faces the threat of closure due to dwindling funds. Just as all hope seems lost, a group of employees from a nearby tech company begins volunteering with the organization on a regular basis. These volunteers revamp the center’s facilities and organize programs for local youth. Taking things even further, the volunteers’ company matches their hours with generous volunteer grants, ultimately providing the funding needed to keep the center open and serving its community.

This heartwarming story exemplifies the power of volunteerism—and the impact of volunteer grant programs—setting the stage for a deeper exploration of how these initiatives drive social change. And that’s exactly what this guide is here for!

Specifically, we’ll cover the following:

Volunteer grants have the potential to transform volunteerism for organizations like yours. Ready to learn everything you need to know to target these opportunities effectively in your efforts? Let’s begin.

What Are Volunteer Grants? The Basics

Volunteer grants (also called “Dollars for Doers”) are financial contributions provided by companies to support nonprofit organizations where their employees volunteer.

These grants typically match the hours employees spend volunteering (i.e., $25 for each hour volunteered), offering a monetary donation to the organization based on the volunteer time an individual logged.

This benefit encourages employee engagement in community service and enhances the impact of their volunteer efforts overall.

The Value of Volunteer Grants for Nonprofits & Schools

Volunteer grant programs offer significant value to nonprofits and schools by providing essential funding that enhances their programs and services. These grants can help…

  • Offset operational costs
  • Support new initiatives
  • Fund special projects that might otherwise be unattainable

Additionally, they encourage employee engagement, fostering a culture of giving back while increasing volunteer participation through tangible incentives. This collaboration not only strengthens community ties but also amplifies the impact of the organization’s mission, allowing it to reach more beneficiaries and achieve greater outcomes overall.

Get more volunteer grants with 360MatchPro Volunteer Hub.

Essential Volunteer Grant Criteria to Know

Tons of companies offer volunteer grants—from the Fortune 500 to your local mom-and-pop shop down the street. However, each employer that implements a program is able to establish its own unique criteria for involvement.

While it can vary from one company to the next, most volunteer grant programs consider the following guidelines:

  • Employee eligibility — While some volunteer grant programs are exclusive to current, full-time employees, others are extended to part-time and retired individuals as well.
  • Cause eligibility — Many companies will provide grants to any registered 501(c)(3) organization. However, some select or exclude particular causes (often religious or political in nature) from qualifying for the programs.
  • Minimum volunteer hours — There’s generally a set number of hours an employee must reach in order to unlock a volunteer grant. Once they reach the minimum threshold, they can request a grant!
  • Grant amount — Some employers offer lump sum grant amounts (e.g., $500 after reaching 25 hours), while others pay out volunteer grants on an hourly basis (e.g., $25 per hour volunteered). According to 360MatchPro, 80% of companies with volunteer grant programs provide between $8 and $15 per hour!
  • Submission process and deadline — Most companies require volunteer grants to be requested within a certain time frame following the volunteer activity (often a few months to a year). The request process itself can also differ and may require the individual to submit a log of their time.

In order for a volunteer to qualify for and secure a grant on your organization’s behalf, their service should adhere to the above criteria. And the easiest way to uncover this information is with a volunteer grant database! All it takes is a quick search of a company name, and you (or your volunteers) can access employer-specific program guidelines and instructions in seconds.

Marketing Volunteer Grants to Your Supporters

Volunteer grants can have a significant impact on the organizations that receive them. However, they’re often an underutilized funding source, largely due to a lack of awareness among eligible volunteers.

As a result, nonprofits and schools are taking increasingly proactive steps to market these opportunities to their supporters. Here’s how we recommend doing so:

On your website

To effectively market volunteer grants to your nonprofit supporters, leveraging key marketing channels is essential. Starting with your website, create a dedicated page explaining what volunteer grants are, how they work, and how volunteers can apply for them.

This resource should also highlight companies that offer such grants (ideally by embedding a company search tool on the page), making it easier for volunteers to check if they’re eligible and to take the next steps outlined if so.

Within volunteer sign-up forms

Your volunteers are eager to support your cause⁠—especially while actively filling out a registration form for your organization. That said, it’s the perfect opportunity to promote corporate volunteer incentives such as volunteer grants and more.

Within your volunteer sign-up forms, begin integrating messaging about volunteer grants by asking for the volunteer’s employer information. You can even place a short note within the form that explains how their hours could unlock additional funding for your nonprofit. Then, after they sign up, follow up with each eligible supporter to encourage them to request the funds.

In your email communications

Your email communications are another powerful tool for promoting volunteer grants. Sending targeted emails to your volunteer base is an effective way to educate supporters about volunteer grant opportunities.

In these emails, explain how the programs work, the potential impact on your nonprofit, and how volunteers can apply for them through their employers.

Adding reminders about volunteer grants to your regular newsletters can also help maintain awareness. After volunteers complete their service, send them a personalized follow-up email thanking them and reminding them to check if their company offers a grant, making the process feel seamless and appreciative.

Through social media

Lastly, social media can expand your reach and engage a broader audience in the conversation about volunteer grant programs. Regularly post content on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn that highlights the availability of volunteer grants and the impact they can have. (Hint: Double the Donation users can access free, customizable marketing materials within the 360MatchPro platform to help you get started!)

Sharing success stories from volunteers who have secured grants can be especially compelling, driving traffic back to your dedicated webpage for more information.

By leveraging these marketing channels (and any others your organization is drawn to), your team can not only increase awareness of volunteer grant programs but also make it easier for supporters to take advantage of these opportunities. And in the end, it ultimately unlocks additional funding and deepens engagement.

Wrapping Up & Further Reading

As we’ve seen, volunteer grants can serve as a significant lifeline for nonprofits and schools, transforming hours of volunteer work into vital financial support. By understanding the eligibility criteria and effectively navigating the application process, organizations can harness these grants to enhance their programs and extend their reach within the community.

Whether you’re just starting your fundraising journey or looking to expand your efforts, tapping into the potential of volunteer grants can empower your organization to make a lasting difference. Embrace the opportunity to turn volunteer hours into impactful funding and watch your mission thrive.

Interested in learning more about how your organization can benefit from volunteer grants and beyond? Check out these recommended resources:

Get more volunteer grants with 360MatchPro Volunteer Hub.