Volunteer Grants 101: Understanding the What, Why, and How

Volunteers are the lifeblood of many nonprofits, dedicating their time and energy to support causes they care about. But did you know that their contributions can also lead to financial support for your organization? This is where volunteer grants come into play.

If you're unfamiliar with the concept or want to better understand how to leverage this funding opportunity, you've come to the right place. In this post, we'll break down the basics of volunteer grants—including what they are, why they're valuable, and how your nonprofit can target them effectively.

What are Volunteer Grants?

Volunteer grants, also known as "dollars for doers" programs, are corporate giving programs that encourage employees to volunteer by offering financial donations to the nonprofits where they volunteer. Essentially, when an employee volunteers a certain number of hours at a nonprofit, their employer will make a monetary donation to that organization as a reward for the employee's community service.

The specifics of these programs can vary by company, including the minimum number of volunteer hours required to qualify for a grant, the amount of the grant, and the application process. However, the core concept remains the same: companies support the volunteer efforts of their employees by contributing to the nonprofits they care about.

Why do Volunteer Grants matter?

Volunteer grants offer a significant yet often underutilized source of funding for nonprofits⁠—in addition to other standout benefits. Here’s why they’re so valuable to organizations like yours:

Additional Funding: Volunteer grants allow nonprofits to multiply the impact of the time volunteers donate. For every hour volunteered, your organization could receive a monetary donation, increasing the overall value of each volunteer's contribution and supplying your team with an added and much-needed source of revenue.

Enhanced Volunteer Engagement: Knowing that their hours can lead to financial support for your organization can motivate volunteers to engage more deeply and consistently. It can be an excellent booster for volunteer recruitment and retention!

Broader Corporate Partnerships: Volunteer grants can help build stronger relationships between nonprofits and the corporate sector. These grants often encourage more frequent volunteerism, which can open the door to larger corporate partnerships, donations, or sponsorship efforts.

How can your team target Volunteer Grants?

To make the most of volunteer grants, your nonprofit needs to take a proactive approach. Here’s how you can start:

Identify Eligible Companies: Research which companies offer volunteer grants (more on those below) and determine if any of your current volunteers work for these organizations. There are even databases and tools available⁠—like Double the Donation Volunteering⁠—that can help you pinpoint these companies more easily.

Collect Employment Information: To target volunteer grants effectively, it’s essential to gather employment information from your volunteers during registration or follow-up communications. This can be done by including a field in your volunteer registration form asking for their employer details. You can also send follow-up emails to new and existing volunteers, gently requesting their employment information to ensure they don’t miss out on volunteer grant opportunities. From there, consider using employer append services to fill in any gaps in your records and automatically match volunteers to companies that offer volunteer grants.

Educate Your Volunteers: Many eligible volunteers are unaware that their employer offers a volunteer grant program. Make it a point to inform your volunteers about these opportunities so they can get involved. For the best results, consider including information about volunteer grants in your volunteer orientation, newsletters, registration forms, and on your website.

Simplify the Engagement Process: Make it easy for your volunteers to apply for grants on your behalf. Provide clear instructions, links to application forms, and any necessary documentation. You can even make your company database tool accessible to volunteers to uncover invaluable information and next steps! The easier it is for volunteers to navigate the process, the more likely they are to participate.

Track Volunteer Hours: Keep accurate records of your volunteers' hours to ensure they meet the minimum requirements for grant eligibility. Having this information readily available can streamline the application process and increase the likelihood of receiving grants.

Acknowledge and Thank Participating Volunteers: Show your appreciation for volunteers who secure grants for your organization. Recognize them in your communications, events, and on social media. This not only makes them feel valued but also encourages others to do the same.

Bonus: Companies that offer Volunteer Grants

Ready to get started? Here are a few companies that offer volunteer grants, along with their specific criteria for securing the funds:

Coinstar

Coinstar provides $15 per hour for employees who volunteer at least 10 hours, with a maximum grant of $600 annually. This is a great option for nonprofits that can benefit from volunteers who may only be able to dedicate a small amount of time.

Verizon

Verizon offers $750 for employees who volunteer at least 50 hours. This generous contribution helps nonprofits make the most of longer volunteer commitments, while supporting significant efforts made by volunteers throughout the year.

ConocoPhillips

ConocoPhillips provides $500 for every 20 hours an employee volunteers, with a maximum grant of $1,000. This program encourages employees to contribute substantial hours, and nonprofits can benefit from up to two $500 grants annually per volunteer.

Microsoft

Microsoft is known for its flexibility, offering $25 per hour volunteered with no minimum hour requirement. This makes it easy for nonprofits to receive support from volunteers who contribute varying amounts of time, whether it’s a few hours or more.

Dell

Dell provides $150 for every 10 hours an employee volunteers, with a cap of $600 per year. This program is an excellent opportunity for nonprofits to benefit from short-term volunteer engagements, as it rewards employees for giving even a modest amount of time.

CVS Health

CVS Health offers up to $2,500 for employees who volunteer at least 10 hours, making it one of the most generous programs. This allows nonprofits to receive significant financial support based on just a small time investment from volunteers.

Volunteer grants represent a powerful way for nonprofits to enhance their funding while also recognizing and rewarding the contributions of their volunteers. By understanding the what, why, and how of volunteer grants, your organization can unlock new opportunities for financial support and deepen your relationships with both volunteers and corporate partners.

Don’t let this potential source of income go untapped—start integrating volunteer grants into your nonprofit’s strategy today and watch as the impact of your volunteer efforts grows. Good luck!

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