How Cultural Heritage Orgs Can Grow Volunteer Grant Revenue

Volunteer grants represent a powerful yet often overlooked resource for cultural heritage 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 organizations dedicated to preserving and celebrating cultural heritage, tapping into volunteer grant programs can significantly boost financial support without requiring additional fundraising efforts.

Many cultural heritage organizations rely heavily on volunteers to carry out their mission, from guiding tours and cataloging collections to organizing events and educational programs. By understanding and leveraging volunteer grants, these organizations can multiply the impact of volunteer hours, turning community engagement into tangible financial benefits. This article will explore what volunteer grants are, why they matter for cultural heritage organizations, how to identify opportunities, and how to promote these programs effectively.

What are volunteer grants?

Volunteer grants are monetary donations made by a volunteer’s employer to a nonprofit organization as a way to recognize and reward the time their employee spends volunteering. Essentially, when an employee dedicates hours to a nonprofit, their company may provide a financial gift to that organization, amplifying the value of the volunteer’s contribution.

These grants are typically part of broader corporate giving or employee engagement programs. Companies use volunteer grants to encourage community involvement among their workforce and to demonstrate corporate social responsibility. The donation amount is often tied to the number of hours volunteered, with many companies requiring a minimum number of hours before a grant is issued.

Despite their potential, volunteer grants remain relatively unknown, even among volunteers who qualify for them. This lack of awareness means many nonprofits miss out on a valuable funding source. Educating volunteers and supporters about volunteer grants is crucial to unlocking this untapped revenue stream.

For cultural heritage organizations, volunteer grants can significantly enhance the impact of volunteer efforts. By turning volunteer hours into financial support, these grants help organizations sustain and expand their programs, collections, and outreach initiatives. Understanding the basics of volunteer grants is the first step toward harnessing their full potential.

How volunteer grants work

Volunteer grants usually require volunteers to track their hours and submit a request through their employer’s program. Once verified, the company sends a donation to the nonprofit. The process varies by company but often includes online forms or portals designed to streamline submissions.

Common eligibility criteria

Most volunteer grant programs require a minimum number of volunteer hours, commonly ranging from 10 to 50 hours per year. Some companies limit the number of grants an employee can request annually. It’s important for volunteers and nonprofits to understand these rules to maximize grant opportunities.

Why volunteer grants are underutilized

Many volunteers are unaware that their employers offer volunteer grant programs. Additionally, nonprofits may not actively promote or facilitate the process, leading to missed opportunities. Raising awareness and simplifying the application process can help increase participation.

Why do volunteer grants matter for Cultural Heritage Orgs?

Volunteer grants hold particular significance for cultural heritage organizations because these nonprofits often depend heavily on volunteer labor to fulfill their missions. Whether it’s staffing museums, preserving artifacts, or conducting educational outreach, volunteers are the backbone of many cultural heritage initiatives.

By leveraging volunteer grants, cultural heritage organizations can secure essential funding without asking for additional donations from their supporters. This makes volunteer grants a high-return-on-investment (ROI) opportunity that aligns perfectly with the resource constraints many nonprofits face.

For example, imagine a cultural heritage organization with 10 volunteers each contributing 20 hours annually. If their employers offer volunteer grants at $10 per hour, this could translate into $2,000 in additional funding. This money could support exhibit maintenance, educational programming, or community events, directly advancing the organization’s mission.

Moreover, volunteer grants can help cultural heritage organizations diversify their funding sources. Relying on grants tied to volunteer hours reduces dependence on traditional fundraising and government support, providing a more stable financial foundation.

Because cultural heritage organizations often engage volunteers with diverse professional backgrounds, they are well-positioned to benefit from a wide range of corporate volunteer grant programs. This makes volunteer grants not just a funding opportunity but a strategic asset for mission-driven growth.

Supporting programming and outreach

Volunteer grant funds can be allocated to enhance educational programs, community workshops, or special exhibitions that bring cultural heritage to life for broader audiences. This helps organizations deepen their impact and reach new supporters.

Preserving collections and facilities

Grants can also support the preservation of artifacts, restoration projects, or facility improvements, ensuring that cultural treasures are protected for future generations.

Engaging diverse volunteer bases

Volunteer grants encourage organizations to engage volunteers from companies with active grant programs, fostering partnerships that can lead to sustained support and collaboration.

How to identify volunteer grant opportunities for Cultural Heritage Orgs

Identifying volunteer grant opportunities is crucial for maximizing the benefits of these programs for your cultural heritage organization. Ready to get started? Consider these easy steps:

Collecting employer information from volunteers

Integrate employer questions into volunteer registration forms or periodic surveys to maintain an updated database of potential grant sources.

Utilizing online volunteer grant databases

Subscribe to or access platforms that track corporate volunteer grant programs to stay informed about new opportunities and program changes.

Segmenting outreach by employer

Tailor communications and reminders about volunteer grants to volunteers based on their employer, increasing relevance and engagement.

By combining data collection, volunteer engagement, and targeted research, cultural heritage organizations can systematically identify and pursue volunteer grant opportunities that align with their mission and volunteer base.

Companies that offer volunteer grants for Cultural Heritage Orgs

Several prominent companies are recognized for offering volunteer grant programs that support cultural heritage organizations. These companies often have large workforces and active corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives aimed at encouraging employee community involvement.

Apple’s volunteer grant program

Apple offers grants to nonprofits where employees volunteer, typically requiring a minimum number of hours and providing a set dollar amount per hour volunteered.

Coinstar’s community engagement initiatives

Coinstar supports employee volunteerism through grants that recognize time spent supporting local nonprofits, including cultural and educational organizations.

Disney’s employee volunteer grants

Disney encourages employees to volunteer and rewards their efforts with grants that support the nonprofits they serve, often emphasizing cultural and community enrichment.

Starbucks’ commitment to community service

Starbucks provides volunteer grants to nonprofits where employees contribute time, reinforcing the company’s dedication to social responsibility and community impact.

These companies share common traits: they are large employers with formalized volunteer grant policies, they prioritize employee engagement in community service, and they support causes that align with cultural heritage missions. By identifying volunteers employed by these companies, cultural heritage organizations can tap into a valuable funding source.

Beyond these examples, many companies across industries—from healthcare to finance to technology—offer volunteer grants. Cultural heritage organizations should analyze their volunteer base to uncover connections to companies with active programs, expanding their funding possibilities.

How to promote volunteer grants to Cultural Heritage Org supporters

Promoting volunteer grants effectively requires clear, consistent communication to ensure volunteers and supporters are aware of these opportunities. Many volunteers simply do not know that their employers offer volunteer grant programs, so raising awareness is the first step. Here are a few ways that your team can do so:

Incorporating volunteer grant info into onboarding

Make volunteer grants a standard part of the orientation process to educate new volunteers about the benefits and procedures.

Leveraging digital communications

Use email campaigns, social media, and website content to regularly inform and remind volunteers about volunteer grant opportunities.

Empowering staff and coordinators

Train team members to proactively discuss volunteer grants and assist volunteers with applications.

Providing easy-to-use resources

Offer step-by-step guides, FAQs, and contact information to simplify the volunteer grant application process.

Ultimately, effective promotion transforms volunteer time into additional funding, amplifying the impact of cultural heritage organizations and helping them achieve their mission more sustainably.

Volunteer grant FAQ for Cultural Heritage Orgs

Can volunteers apply for grants on behalf of the organization themselves?

Yes, in most cases, volunteers are responsible for submitting volunteer grant requests through their employer’s program. The nonprofit typically provides verification of volunteer hours or a letter of acknowledgment to support the application.

Are volunteer grants taxable income for the nonprofit?

No, volunteer grants are considered charitable donations and are not taxable income for the nonprofit organization. They should be recorded as contributions in the organization’s financial records.

What if a volunteer works for a company that doesn’t offer volunteer grants?

Not all companies have volunteer grant programs. In such cases, volunteers can still support the organization through direct donations or other fundraising activities. Encouraging volunteers to inquire with their employers about potential programs can sometimes uncover lesser-known opportunities.

How can cultural heritage organizations track volunteer hours effectively?

Implementing a reliable volunteer management system or using sign-in sheets and digital tracking tools helps ensure accurate recording of volunteer hours, which is essential for volunteer grant applications.

Can volunteer grants be used for any organizational expense?

Generally, volunteer grants are unrestricted funds and can be used for a variety of organizational needs. However, it’s best to check with the grantor company’s guidelines and ensure funds are used in ways that support the nonprofit’s mission.

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Conclusion & Next Steps

All in all, volunteer grants offer a unique opportunity for cultural heritage organizations to enhance their funding without additional fundraising efforts. By educating volunteers, leveraging corporate partnerships, and promoting these programs effectively, organizations can transform volunteer hours into substantial financial support. As a next step, cultural heritage organizations should focus on integrating volunteer grant information into their volunteer management processes and actively engage with companies offering these programs.

Get Started with Double the Donation Volunteering

To maximize the impact of volunteer grants, cultural heritage organizations can partner with platforms like Double the Donation. These tools provide valuable resources and databases to identify potential grant opportunities and streamline the application process. By utilizing such platforms, organizations can efficiently connect with companies offering volunteer grants and unlock new funding streams to support their mission. Get a demo today to get started!