How Cancer Research Orgs Can Grow Volunteer Grant Revenue

Volunteer grants represent a powerful yet often overlooked resource for cancer research organizations seeking to expand their funding streams. These grants are donations made by employers to nonprofits in recognition of the time their employees spend volunteering. For cancer research nonprofits, tapping into volunteer grant programs can significantly boost financial support without requiring additional fundraising efforts from donors.

Despite their potential, volunteer grants remain underutilized in many sectors, including cancer research. By understanding how these grants work and actively promoting them among volunteers, organizations can unlock new revenue opportunities that directly support vital research, patient services, and community outreach. This article will guide cancer research organizations through the essentials of volunteer grants and provide guidance on how they can maximize their impact.

What are volunteer grants?

Volunteer grants are monetary donations made by an employee’s employer to a nonprofit organization as a way to recognize and reward the time that employee spends volunteering. Essentially, when an individual volunteers their time, their company may provide a financial gift to the nonprofit based on the number of hours volunteered. This is a way for companies to encourage community involvement and demonstrate corporate social responsibility.

These grants are typically part of broader corporate giving or employee engagement programs. Companies set specific criteria for volunteer grants, such as a minimum number of volunteer hours before a grant is awarded, and a fixed dollar amount per hour volunteered. For example, a company might donate $10 for every hour an employee volunteers, with a minimum of 10 hours required to qualify.

Unfortunately, many volunteers and nonprofits are unaware of volunteer grant programs. This lack of awareness means that a significant source of funding often goes untapped. Educating volunteers about these opportunities and encouraging them to apply can dramatically increase the financial benefits nonprofits receive from volunteer efforts.

Volunteer grants amplify the value of volunteer time by turning hours of service into additional funding. For cancer research organizations, this can mean more resources to support groundbreaking studies, patient care initiatives, and educational programs. Understanding the basics of volunteer grants is the first step toward leveraging this valuable funding source.

How volunteer grants fit into corporate giving

Volunteer grants are one component of a company’s overall corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy. Many companies have dedicated budgets for charitable giving, which include matching gift programs, volunteer grants, and sponsorships. Volunteer grants specifically reward employees for their time and effort, reinforcing a culture of community engagement within the workplace.

Typical requirements for volunteer grants

Most volunteer grant programs require a minimum number of volunteer hours, often ranging from 10 to 50 hours per year. The grant amount per hour can vary widely depending on the company’s policies. Some companies also require that the volunteer activity be with a registered nonprofit organization, which cancer research organizations typically are.

Why many nonprofits miss out on volunteer grants

One of the biggest challenges is that nonprofits often do not track which volunteers are eligible for volunteer grants or fail to educate volunteers about the opportunity. Without proactive communication and systems in place, these grants remain an untapped revenue stream. Cancer research organizations can benefit greatly by integrating volunteer grant promotion into their volunteer management processes.

Why do volunteer grants matter for cancer research orgs?

Volunteer grants hold particular significance for cancer research organizations because these nonprofits often rely heavily on volunteer support to advance their missions. Volunteers contribute countless hours to fundraising events, patient support programs, awareness campaigns, and administrative tasks. Volunteer grants provide a way to convert this invaluable time into additional financial resources without asking volunteers for extra donations.

For cancer research organizations, funding is critical to sustaining research projects, purchasing specialized equipment, and supporting patient services. Volunteer grants offer a high return on investment because they leverage existing volunteer efforts to generate new funding. For example, if 10 volunteers each log 20 hours of service, and their employers offer $10 per volunteer hour, the organization could receive $2,000 in grant funding—without any additional fundraising effort.

This funding can be directed toward specific needs such as purchasing lab supplies, funding clinical trials, or expanding outreach programs to underserved communities. Because cancer research organizations often operate with tight budgets, volunteer grants represent a strategic opportunity to supplement income streams and enhance program impact.

Aligning volunteer grants with mission goals

Volunteer grants can be targeted to support mission-critical activities. For instance, funds generated through volunteer grants could help finance new research initiatives or provide educational materials for patients and families. This alignment ensures that the additional funding directly advances the organization’s core objectives.

Enhancing volunteer engagement and retention

Promoting volunteer grants also benefits the volunteers themselves. When volunteers know their time can translate into financial support for the cause they care about, they often feel more valued and motivated. This can lead to higher volunteer retention rates and stronger community ties.

Reducing fundraising costs

Because volunteer grants are tied to volunteer hours rather than direct donations, they reduce the need for costly fundraising campaigns. This allows cancer research organizations to allocate more resources toward program delivery rather than administrative overhead.

How to identify volunteer grant opportunities for cancer research orgs

Identifying volunteer grant opportunities begins with understanding which volunteers work for companies that offer these programs. Since volunteer grants are employer-driven, knowing your volunteers’ workplaces is essential to unlocking this funding source.

One practical step is to ask volunteers about their employers during onboarding or through engagement surveys. This information can be collected in a respectful and confidential manner and used to tailor communications about volunteer grants.

Encouraging volunteers to check with their human resources departments or corporate intranet sites can also help them discover available volunteer grant programs. Many companies provide detailed information and application instructions internally.

Nonprofits can also leverage volunteer grant databases and tools such as Double the Donation, which compile information on companies with volunteer grant programs. These platforms allow organizations to search for potential matches based on volunteer employer data.

Analyzing existing volunteer data to identify trends or clusters of volunteers from companies known to offer volunteer grants can help prioritize outreach efforts. Segmenting communications by employer allows for personalized messaging that resonates with volunteers and increases participation.

Companies that offer volunteer grants for cancer research orgs

Many large employers across diverse industries offer volunteer grant programs that cancer research organizations can benefit from. Companies such as ExxonMobil, Apple, CVS Health, and Bank of America are known for their active corporate social responsibility initiatives and employee engagement programs that include volunteer grants.

ExxonMobil, a major player in the energy sector, supports community involvement through volunteer grants that encourage employees to contribute time to nonprofits, including health-related causes. Their programs often provide grants based on volunteer hours logged by employees.

Apple, a leader in technology and innovation, has a strong culture of employee volunteerism. Their volunteer grant program rewards employees who dedicate time to nonprofits, with a focus on education, health, and community development. Cancer research organizations can benefit from Apple employees’ volunteer efforts.

CVS Health, operating in the healthcare sector, naturally aligns with cancer research missions. Their volunteer grant programs support employee engagement in health and wellness initiatives, making cancer research nonprofits a fitting recipient of these grants.

Bank of America, a major financial institution, offers volunteer grants as part of its commitment to community development and philanthropy. Employees are encouraged to volunteer and can request grants for the nonprofits they support, including those focused on cancer research.

These companies share common traits: they are large employers with formalized CSR programs, they encourage employee community involvement, and they have established volunteer grant policies. Cancer research organizations should review the employment affiliations of their volunteers to identify potential matches with these or similar companies.

Other industries to consider

Beyond these examples, companies in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, insurance, education, and manufacturing may also offer volunteer grants. It’s important for cancer research organizations to maintain an open mind and explore all avenues where volunteer grant programs might exist.

Leveraging corporate partnerships for greater impact

Identifying companies with volunteer grant programs is just the first step. Building ongoing partnerships with these corporations can lead to increased volunteer participation, larger grants, and collaborative initiatives that further the mission of cancer research organizations.

How to promote volunteer grants to cancer research supporters

Raising awareness about volunteer grants among supporters is crucial because many volunteers are simply unaware that these programs exist. Consistent, clear communication can dramatically increase participation and the resulting financial benefits for cancer research organizations.

One effective strategy is to include information about volunteer grants in onboarding materials for new volunteers. This ensures that from the outset, volunteers know their time can translate into additional funding. Thank-you emails following volunteer activities are another opportunity to remind supporters about volunteer grants and encourage them to apply.

Creating a dedicated page or FAQ section on the organization’s website that explains volunteer grants, eligibility criteria, and application steps can serve as a valuable resource. This page can be linked in newsletters, social media posts, and event signage to reach a broad audience.

Training staff and volunteer coordinators to mention volunteer grants during interactions with supporters helps keep the opportunity top of mind. Providing volunteers with clear instructions, application templates, or a designated point of contact for assistance simplifies the process and reduces barriers to participation.

By making volunteer grant promotion a regular part of volunteer engagement, cancer research organizations can turn volunteer hours into meaningful financial support. This not only enhances the impact of volunteer efforts but also strengthens the overall mission.

Utilizing multiple communication channels

Different supporters engage through different channels, so it’s important to promote volunteer grants across email, social media, printed materials, and in-person events. Tailoring messages to each platform increases reach and effectiveness.

Highlighting success stories

Sharing stories of how volunteer grants have benefited the organization can motivate others to participate. For example, showcasing a recent grant that funded a new research project or patient program makes the impact tangible and inspiring.

Encouraging peer-to-peer promotion

Volunteers who have successfully secured volunteer grants can be encouraged to share their experiences with peers. Word-of-mouth is a powerful tool for increasing awareness and participation.

Volunteer grant FAQ for cancer research orgs

How do volunteers apply for a volunteer grant?

Typically, volunteers apply for volunteer grants through their employer’s designated process, which may involve submitting a form or logging volunteer hours on a corporate platform. Nonprofits can assist by providing verification of volunteer hours and offering guidance on the application steps.

Are volunteer grants taxable income for the nonprofit?

No, volunteer grants are considered charitable donations and are not taxable income for the nonprofit. They are treated like any other corporate gift or grant.

Can volunteer grants be used for any purpose within the nonprofit?

Generally, yes. Volunteer grants are unrestricted funds that the nonprofit can allocate according to its needs. However, it’s good practice to align the use of these funds with the mission and communicate impact to donors and volunteers.

What if a volunteer works for a company that does not offer volunteer grants?

Not all companies have volunteer grant programs. In such cases, volunteers can still support the organization through direct donations or other forms of engagement. Nonprofits can encourage volunteers to inquire with their employers about potential programs or consider other corporate giving opportunities.

How can nonprofits track volunteer hours to support grant applications?

Nonprofits should maintain accurate records of volunteer hours, ideally using volunteer management software or detailed logs. Providing volunteers with official documentation or verification letters can facilitate their grant applications and ensure transparency.

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Conclusion & Next Steps

Volunteer grants offer a unique opportunity for cancer research organizations to enhance their funding without additional financial burden on their supporters. By understanding and promoting these programs, organizations can convert volunteer hours into significant financial resources that support their mission. Next steps include integrating volunteer grant education into volunteer onboarding, leveraging corporate partnerships, and consistently communicating the benefits of these grants to volunteers.

To maximize the impact of volunteer grants, cancer research organizations should consider developing a strategic plan that includes identifying potential corporate partners, creating targeted communication strategies, and sharing success stories to inspire participation. By doing so, they can ensure that volunteer grants become a sustainable and impactful part of their funding strategy.

Get Started with Double the Donation Volunteering

Are you ready to unlock the potential of volunteer grants for your cancer research organization? Start by educating your volunteers and building relationships with companies that offer these programs. Together, we can turn volunteer hours into powerful funding that drives research and supports patients. Contact us today to learn more about how to get started!