{"id":27840,"date":"2023-11-15T00:00:38","date_gmt":"2023-11-15T08:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pro-migration.local\/?p=27840"},"modified":"2025-06-10T11:36:25","modified_gmt":"2025-06-10T18:36:25","slug":"volunteer-grants","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gofundme.to\/__proxy\/pro.gofundme.com\/c\/blog\/volunteer-grants\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ultimate Guide to Corporate Volunteer Grant Success"},"content":{"rendered":"

This blog was written in collaboration with the team at\u00a0Double the Donation<\/a>, the leading provider of matching gifts, volunteer grants, and other workplace-giving solutions to nonprofits and educational institutions.<\/em><\/p>\n

Volunteers play a vital role in the growth and sustainability of the social sector. They likely support your organization in behind-the-scenes and mission-facing roles while serving as an extension of your staff in various fundraising and marketing initiatives.<\/p>\n

What if you could amplify the impact of their efforts for your cause while tapping into an additional source of nonprofit funding?<\/p>\n

With corporate volunteer grant programs, you can.<\/p>\n

What Is a Volunteer Grant?<\/h2>\n

Similar to matching gifts<\/a>, thousands of companies offer volunteer grants to engage their workforce by supporting eligible nonprofits that matter to them.<\/p>\n

When a qualifying team member donates their time to a nonprofit, they can submit a grant request to their employer on behalf of the cause with which they volunteered. From there, the company disburses the funds, meaning your organization secures crucial volunteer support\u00a0and\u00a0<\/em>supplementary revenue for your mission.<\/p>\n

In other words, these programs create a win-win-win opportunity for your organization, its supporters, and their employing companies. Your cause receives additional aid, volunteers see their contributions making a greater impact, and partners grow their\u00a0corporate social responsibility<\/a>.<\/p>\n

However, few nonprofits are currently reaching their full volunteer grant potential, largely due to a lack of program awareness. Luckily, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to maximize the funding source for your mission.<\/p>\n\n

With a detailed understanding of available volunteer grant programs, practical insights to guide your efforts, and valuable resources to optimize engagement, you\u2019ll be well equipped to bring your workplace giving strategy to new heights.<\/p>\n

Volunteer Grant Programs: An Overview<\/h2>\n

A\u00a0volunteer grant program<\/a>\u00a0(also known as Dollars for Doers, volunteer matching, time match programs, and more) is a leading form of workplace giving. Offered by businesses of all sizes and sectors, these initiatives encourage team members\u2019 community involvement and guide companies\u2019 corporate giving programs.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how these programs typically work:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. An individual volunteers their time with a nonprofit organization.<\/li>\n
  2. The individual then looks into their employer\u2019s volunteer grant offerings.<\/li>\n
  3. Upon discovering an available program, the individual completes a request form for their company.\u00a0Note <\/strong>that they<\/span>\u00a0may require a timesheet record to verify hours spent volunteering.<\/li>\n
  4. The individual\u2019s employer reviews the request and, if it adheres to the company\u2019s predetermined program guidelines, provides the organization with a monetary grant.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    All in all, the volunteer grant process is fairly straightforward\u2060\u2014and that\u2019s great news, as the programs are widely available for organizations like yours. Double the Donation\u2019s research indicates that\u00a085% of the top matching gift companies<\/a>\u00a0also offer volunteer grants\u2014including over 40% of Fortune 500 companies. Since 80% of participating companies supply between $8 and $15 per volunteer hour, the programs can provide a hefty chunk of change.<\/p>\n

    Though volunteer grant programs should play a part in any team\u2019s healthy corporate engagement plan, these continue to be an underutilized resource for many organizations. However, once you learn more about the opportunity and incorporate volunteer grants throughout your supporter management and outreach efforts, you\u2019ll be well on your way to maximizing a new funding source.<\/p>\n

    The Impact of Volunteer Grants for Nonprofits<\/h2>\n

    When integrated successfully into a nonprofit\u2019s strategy, volunteer grant programs can have widespread benefits for the organization\u2060\u2014not to mention its volunteers. These initiatives offer an opportunity to\u00a0monetize\u00a0volunteer hours,\u00a0providing an\u00a0additional source of corporate revenue.\u00a0As a result, the supplementary funds can support the organization\u2019s operational and programming needs, fostering more sustainable efforts in the long run.<\/p>\n

    For the supporter, the grant availability from their employer can be a\u00a0tangible incentive\u00a0that inspires\u00a0heightened\u00a0nonprofit\u00a0engagement. Supporters may even be more willing to donate their time when they know it will result in a check that benefits the organization\u2019s bottom line. Plus, participation in such a program may\u00a0l<\/strong>engthen the volunteer engagement period\u00a0and\u00a0keep supporters returning\u00a0for additional opportunities.<\/p>\n

    By providing individuals with new and exciting ways to get involved, volunteer grants and other workplace giving programs can guide the relationship beyond a traditional contribution and aid\u00a0donor stewardship<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Common Volunteer Grant Criteria to Know<\/h2>\n

    Each volunteer grant company establishes eligibility criteria that outline its available program. In other words, for an individual\u2019s time to qualify for a corporate grant, their engagement must meet specific guidelines within a set policy.<\/p>\n

    From the nonprofit\u2019s perspective, it helps to understand the criteria to consider when identifying eligible individuals. Though it can vary from one employer to the next, volunteer grant policies typically encompass the following:<\/p>\n