How Museums Can Grow Volunteer Grant Revenue

Museums play a vital role in preserving culture, educating the public, and inspiring creativity. Many museums rely heavily on volunteers who generously donate their time and skills to support exhibitions, educational programs, and community outreach. However, beyond the invaluable contribution of time, there is an often-overlooked opportunity to amplify the impact of volunteer efforts through volunteer grants.

By understanding and tapping into these programs, museums can unlock new revenue streams that help sustain and expand their mission-driven work. This article explores how museums can identify, promote, and benefit from volunteer grant programs to grow their financial resources effectively.

What are volunteer grants?

Volunteer grants are donations made by a volunteer’s employer to a nonprofit organization in recognition of the time their employee spends volunteering. These grants are a way for companies to encourage and reward community involvement among their workforce, often as part of broader corporate giving or employee engagement initiatives.

Typically, volunteer grants are awarded based on the number of hours an employee volunteers, with companies setting minimum hour requirements to qualify. For example, an employer might donate $10 or $25 for every hour an employee volunteers, once a threshold such as 10 or 20 hours is met. This means that the time volunteers dedicate can translate directly into financial support for the nonprofit.

Despite their potential, volunteer grants remain relatively unknown, even among eligible volunteers. Many employees are unaware that their workplace offers such programs, which makes education and promotion critical for nonprofits hoping to benefit. For museums, this represents an untapped source of funding that can significantly amplify the value of volunteer contributions, turning hours of service into meaningful financial support.

Understanding the basics of volunteer grants helps museum leaders and volunteer coordinators see the potential of these programs. By fostering awareness and encouraging participation, museums can create a win-win situation where volunteers feel recognized and the institution gains additional resources to further its mission.

Why do volunteer grants matter for museums?

Volunteer grants hold particular significance for museums because these institutions often depend heavily on volunteers to operate smoothly and deliver enriching experiences to the public. From docents guiding visitors to behind-the-scenes support in collections management, volunteers are integral to museum success. Volunteer grants provide a way to convert this invaluable human capital into financial capital without requiring extra donations from supporters.

For museums, volunteer grants represent a high return on investment. Since the grants are tied directly to volunteer hours, they reward the very activity that museums already encourage. This means that a group of 10 volunteers each contributing 20 hours could potentially generate thousands of dollars in grant funding, which can be used to support exhibitions, educational programming, conservation efforts, or community outreach initiatives.

Consider a scenario where a museum partners with volunteers employed by companies that have established volunteer grant programs. If these volunteers meet the minimum hour requirements, the museum could receive substantial financial support that helps cover costs for new exhibits or technology upgrades. This funding can be especially crucial for museums operating with tight budgets or seeking to expand their offerings without increasing ticket prices.

By recognizing volunteer grants as a strategic funding opportunity, museum leaders can align their volunteer engagement efforts with broader financial goals. This approach not only enhances the museum’s sustainability but also strengthens relationships with volunteers by showing tangible appreciation for their time and effort.

How to identify volunteer grant opportunities for museums

Identifying volunteer grant opportunities begins with understanding which volunteers work for companies that offer these programs. Museums can take several practical steps to uncover this information and maximize their chances of receiving grant funding.

First, during volunteer onboarding or through engagement surveys, museums should ask volunteers about their employers. This simple step helps build a database of companies that may have volunteer grant programs. Encouraging volunteers to check with their human resources departments or corporate intranet sites can also reveal available programs and eligibility criteria.

Additionally, museums can leverage volunteer grant databases and tools such as Double the Donation, which compile information on companies with known volunteer grant programs. These resources make it easier to identify potential matches between volunteers’ employers and grant opportunities.

Analyzing existing volunteer data can also uncover trends or highlight companies that already support the museum’s cause. Segmenting communications by employer allows museums to personalize outreach and provide targeted information about volunteer grants, increasing the likelihood of participation.

For museums, it’s helpful to consider industry-relevant examples. For instance, volunteers working at tech companies like Dell or Apple may have access to robust volunteer grant programs, while those employed by financial institutions such as Bank of America might offer different grant opportunities. Understanding these nuances enables museums to tailor their strategies and messaging effectively.

By taking these actionable steps, museums can build a comprehensive picture of volunteer grant opportunities and position themselves to benefit from this valuable funding source.

Companies that offer volunteer grants for museums

Many large companies with active corporate social responsibility initiatives offer volunteer grant programs that can benefit museums. These companies typically have formal policies that specify the minimum volunteer hours required, the donation amount per hour, and the types of organizations eligible for grants. For museums, this means that volunteers employed by these firms can be a significant source of grant funding if the museum actively promotes and facilitates the process.

Here are a few leading examples:

Bank of America, for example, has a well-established volunteer grant program that supports a wide range of nonprofit causes, including arts and culture organizations like museums.

Dell’s program often focuses on education and technology, which aligns well with museums that offer STEM-related exhibits or digital learning experiences.

Apple encourages employee volunteerism and supports nonprofits that foster creativity and innovation, making museums a natural fit.

Meanwhile, ExxonMobil’s community engagement efforts also include volunteer grants that can benefit cultural institutions.

It’s important for museums to recognize that companies across various industries—from finance to technology to energy—may have volunteer grant programs. By examining the employment affiliations of their current volunteer base, museums can identify which companies to target for outreach and promotion.

How to promote volunteer grants to museum supporters

Promoting volunteer grants effectively is essential because many volunteers remain unaware that these programs exist. Museums can raise awareness and encourage participation through consistent, clear communication across multiple touchpoints.

One of the first opportunities to inform volunteers is during onboarding. Including information about volunteer grants in orientation materials and thank-you emails ensures that new volunteers know about the potential to turn their time into additional funding. Museums can also create a dedicated page or FAQ section on their website that explains volunteer grants, eligibility criteria, and the steps to apply.

Newsletters, social media posts, and event signage provide ongoing channels to remind supporters about volunteer grants. Featuring calls-to-action that encourage volunteers to check if their employers offer grants can boost engagement. Training staff and volunteer coordinators to mention volunteer grants during interactions with supporters further reinforces the message.

To make participation as simple as possible, museums should offer clear instructions, provide templates for grant requests, or designate a point of contact to assist volunteers with the process. Reducing barriers and making the process user-friendly increases the likelihood that volunteers will take advantage of these programs.

By promoting volunteer grants strategically, museums not only increase grant revenue but also deepen volunteer engagement. Volunteers feel valued when their time is recognized both through appreciation and tangible financial support for the museum’s mission.

Volunteer grants FAQ for museums

How do volunteers apply for a volunteer grant?

Typically, volunteers must submit a request to their employer’s volunteer grant program, often through an online portal or by completing a form. The museum can support this process by providing verification of volunteer hours and offering guidance or templates to make it easier for volunteers to apply.

Are all volunteer hours eligible for volunteer grants?

Eligibility depends on the company’s specific program rules. Most require a minimum number of hours and that the volunteer work supports a qualified nonprofit. Museums should verify these details and communicate them clearly to volunteers to ensure compliance.

Can museums apply directly for volunteer grants?

Volunteer grants are usually awarded based on individual employee volunteer hours, so the application is typically made by the volunteer, not the museum. However, museums can facilitate the process by providing documentation and encouraging volunteers to apply.

Do volunteer grants have deadlines or limits?

Yes, many companies have annual deadlines for submitting volunteer grant requests and may limit the total amount an employee can earn in grants per year. Museums should inform volunteers about these timelines to avoid missed opportunities.

How can museums track volunteer hours to support grant applications?

Museums should maintain accurate records of volunteer hours using sign-in sheets, digital tracking systems, or volunteer management software. Providing official verification letters or reports helps volunteers meet employer requirements when applying for grants.

---

Wrapping Up & Next Steps

Museums rely heavily on dedicated volunteers—from docents and front-desk greeters to event helpers and behind-the-scenes supporters. What many museums don’t realize is that these volunteer hours can translate into real funding through corporate volunteer grant programs. By educating your volunteers, tracking their service hours, and connecting with companies that reward employee volunteerism, your museum can unlock new revenue to support exhibits, education programs, and community outreach—without increasing admission or donation asks.

Getting Started with Double the Donation Volunteering

Want to make every volunteer hour count toward your museum’s mission? Double the Donation Volunteering helps museums identify eligible volunteers, track employment information, and connect with corporate volunteer grant programs that turn time into dollars. Whether you’re managing a long-standing volunteer corps or seasonal event staff, our platform makes it easy to grow your funding while deepening engagement. Bring new financial support to your museum—powered by the volunteers who already love what you do.

Request a demo today to get started!