How Hospitals Can Grow Volunteer Grant Revenue

Hospitals play a vital role in communities, providing essential healthcare services and support to countless individuals. Beyond medical care, many hospitals rely heavily on volunteers who generously donate their time and skills to enhance patient experiences, support staff, and assist with community outreach. While volunteer efforts are invaluable, there is an often-overlooked opportunity to amplify their impact through volunteer grants.

Volunteer grants are a form of corporate philanthropy that can significantly boost a hospital’s funding without requiring additional donations from individual supporters. By understanding and leveraging volunteer grant programs, hospitals can unlock new revenue streams that directly support their mission and improve patient care. This article explores how hospitals can identify, access, and promote volunteer grants to maximize their benefits.

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 typically part of corporate giving or employee engagement programs designed to encourage and reward community involvement. When an employee volunteers a certain number of hours, their employer may provide a financial contribution to the nonprofit where the volunteer served.

Most volunteer grant programs specify a minimum number of volunteer hours required to qualify for a grant, often ranging from 10 to 50 hours. The donation amount usually correlates with the number of hours volunteered, with companies offering fixed dollar amounts per hour or flat grants once the threshold is met. This structure incentivizes employees to engage more deeply with community organizations.

Despite their potential, volunteer grants remain relatively unknown—even among eligible volunteers. Many employees are unaware that their time can translate into additional funding for the nonprofits they support. For hospitals, this means there is a largely untapped source of revenue waiting to be accessed. Educating volunteers and staff about volunteer grants can unlock significant financial support that complements the invaluable time volunteers already contribute.

Understanding the basics of volunteer grants helps hospital leaders and volunteer coordinators see these programs as a strategic opportunity. By recognizing volunteer grants as a way to multiply the impact of volunteer hours, hospitals can better align their fundraising and volunteer engagement efforts to maximize community support.

Why do volunteer grants matter for hospitals?

Volunteer grants offer hospitals a unique and highly effective way to secure essential funding without asking for additional monetary donations from their supporters. Since hospitals often depend on volunteers for a wide range of services—from patient assistance and administrative support to community health education—these grants can significantly enhance the value of volunteer contributions.

For example, imagine a hospital with 10 volunteers each logging 20 hours of service in a year. If their employers offer volunteer grants of $10 per hour, the hospital could receive $2,000 in additional funding simply by documenting and submitting these volunteer hours. This funding can be directed toward purchasing medical supplies, supporting patient programs, or enhancing volunteer training initiatives.

Hospitals face unique challenges, including rising healthcare costs and the need for continuous innovation in patient care. Volunteer grants provide a high return on investment by turning volunteer time into tangible financial resources that help meet these challenges. Unlike traditional fundraising, volunteer grants do not require donors to open their wallets again; instead, they leverage existing volunteer engagement to generate new revenue.

Moreover, volunteer grants align closely with the mission of hospitals by encouraging community involvement and fostering partnerships between healthcare providers and local businesses. This synergy not only benefits the hospital financially but also strengthens community ties and promotes a culture of giving and service.

How to identify volunteer grant opportunities for hospitals

Identifying volunteer grant opportunities begins with understanding which volunteers work for companies that offer these programs. Hospitals can take several practical steps to uncover these opportunities and maximize their potential.

First, during volunteer onboarding or through engagement surveys, hospitals should ask volunteers about their employers. From there, encouraging volunteers to inquire with their human resources departments or check their corporate intranet can also reveal available programs.

Hospitals can leverage specialized volunteer grant databases and tools, such as Double the Donation, which compile information on companies with known volunteer grant programs. These resources simplify the process of matching volunteers to potential grants and streamline grant application submissions.

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

For hospitals, it’s especially useful to focus on companies with a strong presence in healthcare, technology, or community services, as these sectors often have robust corporate social responsibility initiatives. For example, volunteers employed by tech firms like Microsoft may have access to generous volunteer grant programs that hospitals can tap into.

By taking these actionable steps, hospitals can systematically identify and pursue volunteer grant opportunities that align with their organizational goals and volunteer base.

Companies that offer volunteer grants for hospitals

Many large employers with active corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs offer volunteer grant opportunities that hospitals can benefit from. These include:

Microsoft, a global technology leader, encourages its employees to volunteer and offers grants to nonprofits where employees contribute their time. This aligns well with hospitals that may have volunteers working in IT support, patient education, or community health initiatives.

United Health Group, a major player in the healthcare industry, naturally supports causes related to health and wellness. Their volunteer grant programs often prioritize organizations like hospitals, making them a prime target for volunteer grant fundraising efforts.

Starbucks, known for its community engagement, offers volunteer grants that reward employees for their time spent supporting local nonprofits. Hospitals can benefit from Starbucks employees volunteering in patient support roles or community outreach programs.

ExxonMobil, a leading energy corporation, also provides volunteer grants as part of its CSR efforts. While not directly related to healthcare, ExxonMobil’s broad volunteer grant program can support hospitals in areas such as environmental health initiatives or community wellness projects.

These companies share common traits: they are large employers with structured volunteer programs, a commitment to community involvement, and formal processes for awarding volunteer grants. Hospitals should review the employment affiliations of their volunteers to identify potential matches and pursue these valuable funding opportunities.

How to promote volunteer grants to hospital supporters

Many volunteers remain unaware that their time can translate into financial support for the hospitals they serve. Consistent and clear communication is essential to raise awareness and encourage participation in volunteer grant programs.

Hospitals can start by including information about volunteer grants in onboarding materials and thank-you emails. This ensures that new volunteers learn about the opportunity early and feel appreciated for their contributions.

Adding a dedicated page or FAQ section on the hospital’s website provides a centralized resource where volunteers can find detailed instructions and answers to common questions about volunteer grants. This transparency helps demystify the process and encourages more volunteers to take part.

Newsletters, social media posts, and event signage offer additional channels to highlight volunteer grants. Featuring calls-to-action that remind volunteers to check if their employers offer grants can increase awareness and participation.

Training staff and volunteer coordinators to mention volunteer grants during interactions with supporters ensures the message is consistently reinforced. Providing clear instructions, templates for grant requests, or a designated point of contact can simplify the process and reduce barriers to participation.

By making volunteer grant programs visible and accessible, hospitals can turn volunteer time into additional funding, creating a lasting impact on their mission and the communities they serve.

Volunteer grant FAQ for hospitals

How do volunteers apply for volunteer grants?

Typically, volunteers must submit a volunteer grant request form through their employer’s corporate giving portal or HR department. Hospitals can assist by providing documentation of volunteer hours and confirming the nonprofit’s eligibility. Volunteers should check with their employer for specific application procedures and deadlines.

Are there limits on how many volunteer grants a hospital can receive?

There is usually no limit on the number of volunteer grants a hospital can receive, as long as each grant corresponds to a different employee’s volunteer hours. However, each company sets its own rules, so it’s important to understand the policies of each employer involved.

Can volunteer grants be used for any hospital program?

Most volunteer grants are unrestricted funds, meaning hospitals can use them for general operating expenses or specific programs. It’s best to confirm with the granting company if there are any restrictions or reporting requirements tied to the grant.

What if a volunteer works for a company without a volunteer grant program?

If a volunteer’s employer does not offer a volunteer grant, hospitals can still encourage other forms of support such as direct donations or participation in other corporate giving programs. Additionally, hospitals can focus on volunteers from companies known to have volunteer grant programs to maximize funding opportunities.

How can hospitals track and manage volunteer grant submissions?

Hospitals should maintain detailed records of volunteer hours, employer information, and grant submission statuses. Using volunteer management software or spreadsheets can help streamline this process. Assigning a staff member or volunteer coordinator to oversee grant tracking ensures timely submissions and follow-ups.

---

Wrapping Up & Next Steps

Hospitals benefit tremendously from the generosity of volunteers—whether they’re greeting visitors, supporting patient families, assisting with administrative tasks, or helping at community health events. What’s often overlooked is that many of these volunteers may be eligible for corporate volunteer grants through their employers. By raising awareness, tracking volunteer hours, and tapping into these programs, hospitals can unlock a new stream of funding to support patient care, staff resources, and community health initiatives—without asking volunteers or donors to give more out-of-pocket.

Getting Started with Double the Donation Volunteering

Ready to amplify the impact of your hospital’s volunteer program? Double the Donation Volunteering makes it simple to track volunteer hours, identify eligible individuals, and connect with corporate programs that reward service with charitable grants. Whether you manage hundreds of hospital volunteers or just a few dedicated supporters, our platform helps you convert their time into meaningful financial support. Get started today and strengthen your hospital’s mission—one volunteer hour at a time. Request a demo to kick off your efforts!