Strategies for Small Orgs to Grow Volunteer Grants

Small organizations often operate with limited resources, making every dollar count. Volunteer grants represent a unique opportunity for these nonprofits to secure additional funding without increasing their fundraising costs or stretching their staff too thin.

Unlike traditional fundraising methods that may require significant time and effort, volunteer grants allow small nonprofits to scale their impact without scaling their staff. This means that even with a small team, organizations can maximize the value of volunteer hours by converting them into meaningful financial support. Understanding and implementing strategies to grow volunteer grants can be a game-changer for small organizations looking to thrive.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

Why Do Volunteer Grants Matter for Small Organizations?

Volunteer grants are especially valuable for small organizations because they provide a source of funding that does not require additional fundraising campaigns or increased staff workload. Many small nonprofits struggle with limited budgets and personnel, so the ability to receive financial support tied directly to volunteer efforts is a significant advantage.

These grants offer unrestricted funding, which means small organizations can use the money where it is needed most, whether that is program development, operational costs, or community outreach. This flexibility is crucial for small nonprofits that often face unpredictable funding streams.

Maximizing Limited Resources

Small organizations typically have fewer staff members and less capacity to manage complex fundraising initiatives. Volunteer grants help by turning volunteer time into a revenue stream without requiring extensive administrative work. By simply collecting employer information and encouraging volunteers to apply for grants, small nonprofits can unlock new funding opportunities.

This approach allows small organizations to make the most of their existing volunteer base, increasing the return on investment for volunteer management efforts. It is a cost-effective way to boost revenue while maintaining focus on mission-critical activities.

Scaling Impact Without Increasing Staff

One of the biggest challenges for small nonprofits is growing their impact without the ability to hire more staff. Volunteer grants provide a solution by enabling organizations to leverage volunteer hours into financial support. This means that as volunteer engagement grows, so does the potential funding, without the need for additional personnel.

By integrating volunteer grant strategies into their volunteer programs, small organizations can create a sustainable growth model that aligns with their capacity and goals. This scalability is essential for long-term success and community impact.

Best Practices for Small Nonprofits to Grow Volunteer Grants

Turning volunteer time into funding is a powerful way for small nonprofits to increase their financial resources. Implementing simple, actionable strategies can help these organizations maximize the benefits of volunteer grants without overwhelming their limited staff.

Collect Employer Information Efficiently

Small nonprofits should create straightforward processes for gathering employer details. This can be as simple as adding a question on volunteer registration forms or using digital tools that capture this information automatically. The key is to make it easy for volunteers to provide their employer data without adding friction to the sign-up process.

Having accurate employer information enables nonprofits to target communications and educate volunteers about their eligibility for volunteer grants. This personalized approach increases the likelihood that volunteers will take the necessary steps to apply for grants.

Include Volunteer Grant Information on Your Website

Another low-cost strategy is to prominently feature volunteer grant information on the organization’s website. Small nonprofits can create a dedicated page explaining what volunteer grants are, how volunteers can participate, and the impact these grants have on the organization’s work.

This transparency not only educates volunteers but also encourages them to engage more deeply with the organization. Clear instructions and easy-to-follow steps help demystify the grant application process, making it more accessible for volunteers.

Utilize Technology to Streamline Processes

Small organizations can benefit from low-cost or otherwise affordable tools designed to simplify volunteer grant management. These tools can automate reminders, track volunteer hours, and provide templates for outreach communications. By leveraging the right solutions, small nonprofits can reduce manual work and improve follow-up rates even with limited resources.

Automation helps ensure that volunteers receive timely prompts to submit their grant requests, increasing the chances of successful applications. Additionally, using templates for emails and social media posts saves time and maintains consistent messaging.

Regardless of the specific tactics used, the key to growing volunteer grants is consistent promotion, diligent tracking, and proactive follow-up. Small nonprofits that prioritize these activities will see meaningful increases in grant revenue over time.

Overcoming Common Volunteer Grant Challenges for Small Orgs

Many small organizations leave volunteer grant dollars unclaimed due to a lack of awareness, limited capacity, or unclear processes. Addressing these barriers is essential to unlocking the full potential of volunteer grants as a funding source.

One of the most common challenges for small nonprofits is limited staff bandwidth. With few employees managing multiple responsibilities, volunteer grant programs can easily fall by the wayside. To overcome this, small organizations should consider using automation tools that simplify data collection and outreach.

Streamlining Data Collection and Outreach

Implementing simple employment data collection methods, such as adding employer fields to volunteer registration forms, reduces the burden on staff. Automation tools can then use this data to send personalized reminders and instructions to volunteers about applying for grants.

Using email templates and scheduled follow-ups ensures that volunteers receive consistent communication without requiring constant manual effort. This approach helps small nonprofits maintain engagement and improve grant submission rates.

Clarifying the Volunteer Grant Process

Small organizations often face confusion around the volunteer grant application process, both internally and among volunteers. Providing clear, step-by-step guides and FAQs can demystify the process and empower volunteers to take action independently.

Creating easy-to-understand materials and making them readily available on the website or during volunteer orientations helps reduce questions and increases participation. This clarity is vital for small nonprofits that cannot dedicate extensive staff time to individual support.

Leveraging Double the Donation Volunteering Solution

Double the Donation Volunteering offers a powerful solution to many common volunteer grant challenges faced by small organizations. Their software integrates seamlessly with existing systems, automates volunteer grant identification, and educates volunteers on how to log hours and request funding.

By using this tool, small nonprofits can eliminate data silos, streamline workflows, and increase revenue without adding to staff workload. Even minor improvements in process efficiency can lead to significant increases in volunteer grant income, making this an invaluable resource for small organizations.

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Wrapping Up & Next Steps

Volunteer grants represent a high-impact, underutilized revenue stream for nonprofits of all sizes. For small organizations in particular, these grants offer unrestricted funding that can be accessed without increasing fundraising costs or staff workload. By adopting tailored strategies that fit their capacity, small nonprofits can unlock significant corporate funding tied to volunteerism.

Whether your organization is small, mid-size, or large, the right approach to volunteer grants can amplify your impact and deepen supporter engagement. Taking the time to evaluate your current volunteer engagement practices and tools is a critical next step toward maximizing this valuable funding source.

See How Double the Donation Volunteering Can Help Your Small Nonprofit

Double the Donation helps nonprofits and educational institutions tap into corporate volunteer incentives to grow engagement and revenue. With Double the Donation’s volunteering software, fundraisers can seamlessly integrate a volunteer incentive tool into their existing tech stack. This eliminates data silos and surfaces new insights, identifying volunteers eligible for corporate volunteer grants and empowering them to request funding from their employers. The result is increased revenue with no additional donation ask.

Grow your revenue with volunteer grants; get a demo of Double the Donation Volunteering today.