Helpful Volunteer Time Off Blurbs to Increase Participation

Helpful Volunteer Time Off Blurbs to Increase Participation

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One of the most persistent challenges for volunteer coordinators is the “9-to-5 gap.” You have passionate supporters who want to help, but their professional obligations keep them tied to their desks during your most critical operational hours. Whether you need help sorting donations on a Tuesday morning or staffing a front desk on a Thursday afternoon, finding coverage during the business day can feel impossible. But there is a solution hiding in plain sight: Volunteer Time Off (VTO).

VTO is a corporate benefit where employers grant employees paid time off specifically to volunteer with nonprofit organizations. It is a win-win-win: companies boost employee engagement, individuals get to support causes they love without using their vacation days, and nonprofits get reliable, skilled help during business hours. Despite the growth of these programs—66% of employers now provide some form of paid time off for volunteering—many supporters simply don’t know they have this benefit.

The key to unlocking this resource is communication. You need to actively market VTO opportunities to your supporter base, educating them on the existence of these programs and encouraging them to use their hours with you. To help you get started, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of volunteer time off blurbs. These ready-to-use templates for your website, emails, and social media channels will help you bridge the awareness gap and fill your weekday shifts with dedicated corporate volunteers.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

By weaving these messages into your communications, you can transform your volunteer program from a weekend-only operation into a robust, week-round community asset.

The Strategic Value of Volunteer Time Off

Before you start pasting these blurbs into your marketing materials, it is important to understand the landscape. VTO is not just a nice perk; it is a significant bank of hours waiting to be tapped. Companies with paid VTO programs offer an average of 20 hours per employee per year . That is 2.5 full workdays that every eligible employee could be spending with your organization.

Furthermore, the desire is there. Studies show that 49% of individuals state that work commitments are their biggest obstacle to volunteering, yet 62% report that the ability to volunteer during business hours would be the top factor for a positive experience . By promoting VTO, you are directly solving your volunteers’ biggest problem: lack of time.

Did You Know? The number of companies offering VTO has increased by 2 in 3 over the last decade. Major employers like Patagonia, Microsoft, and Deloitte all offer generous programs, meaning many of your current supporters likely have hours they haven’t used.

Website Blurbs: Your Education Hub

Your website is the first place potential volunteers go to learn how they can help. It is essential to plant the seed of VTO right where they are looking for shifts.

The “Volunteer Opportunities” Page

This is your primary recruitment tool. Add a section here that explicitly mentions VTO to catch professionals browsing for opportunities.

Template 1: The “Civic Time Off” Hook

Header: Volunteer During Your Workday

Body: Did you know many companies offer paid Volunteer Time Off (VTO)? It allows you to volunteer with us during regular business hours without dipping into your vacation time. If your employer offers this benefit, we have plenty of weekday shifts that need your help! Call to Action: Check your eligibility and sign up for a daytime shift today.

Template 2: The Corporate Partner Appeal

Header: Put Your Corporate Benefits to Good Use

Body: Don’t let your VTO hours go to waste! Companies like [List Local Employers] offer paid time off for employees to volunteer. Use your benefit to support [Nonprofit Name] and make a difference while you work. Call to Action: Search for your company to see if you have VTO hours available.

The Shift Registration/Calendar Page

When a volunteer is looking at a specific Tuesday morning shift, they might hesitate because of work. Use a blurb here to overcome that objection.

Template 3: The Nudge

Header: Stuck at work? Body: You might not have to be! 66% of employers offer paid time off for volunteering. Check with your HR department to see if you can use VTO to join us for this shift. Call to Action: Learn more about VTO.

Quick Tip: Embed a corporate giving database widget on your volunteer page. This allows supporters to type in their employer’s name and instantly see if they have a VTO program, the number of hours offered, and links to the necessary forms.

Email Blurbs: Direct and Personal

Email allows you to target specific segments of your audience. Whether you are sending a general newsletter or a specific plea for shift coverage, these blurbs can drive action.

The Newsletter Feature

Include a “Did You Know?” section in your monthly volunteer newsletter. Since VTO policies often renew annually, regular reminders keep it top-of-mind.

Template 4: The General Education Blurb

Subject: A way to volunteer without using PTO

Header: Unlock Your Paid Volunteer Time Off Body: Dear [Volunteer Name], We know it’s hard to find time to volunteer between work and life commitments. But did you know your employer might pay you to join us? Paid Volunteer Time Off (VTO) is a growing corporate benefit that grants employees paid days to volunteer. It’s separate from your vacation or sick time! Action: Check your employee handbook or ask your HR rep if you have VTO hours to use before the year ends. We’d love to see you during the week!

The “Hard-to-Fill Shift” Recruitment

Use this blurb when you have critical daytime needs that are going unfilled.

Template 5: The Specific Ask

Subject: Need a break from the office? Join us this Tuesday!

Body: Hi [Volunteer Name], We have a critical need for volunteers this Tuesday from 10 AM to 2 PM. We know this is during work hours, but many of our supporters use their company’s Volunteer Time Off (VTO) benefit to cover these shifts. If you work for a company like Thomson Reuters or GM Financial, you likely have paid hours available just for this purpose. Come spend a few hours making a difference! Action: Sign up for the Tuesday shift here.

The Corporate Partner Email

If you collect employment data (which you should!), send targeted emails to employees of companies known to have VTO programs.

Template 6: The Targeted Reminder

Subject: Use your [Company Name] VTO hours with us!

Body: Dear [Volunteer Name], Because you work at [Company Name], you have access to a fantastic benefit: paid Volunteer Time Off. We’ve noticed you haven’t used your hours with us yet this year. We have several upcoming opportunities that fit perfectly with your VTO program. Why not take a day to support [Nonprofit Name] and get paid for it? Action: View our weekday volunteer schedule.

Social Media Blurbs: Visible & Shareable

Social media is ideal for raising general awareness and reaching professionals where they network. Use these platforms to normalize the idea of volunteering during the workday.

LinkedIn

This is the most effective channel for VTO content, as your audience is already in a “work” mindset.

Template 7: The Professional Development Angle

“Looking for a way to give back without sacrificing your weekends? 🏢🤝 Many companies now offer Paid Volunteer Time Off (VTO) as part of their benefits package. It’s a great way to build skills, bond with colleagues, and support [Nonprofit Name]—all on company time! Check with your HR team today. #CorporateSocialResponsibility #VTO #Volunteer”

Template 8: The “Use It or Lose It” Reminder

“Don’t leave your benefits on the table! 📉 If your company offers Volunteer Time Off, those hours likely expire at the end of the year. Take a break from the screen and spend a day with us at [Nonprofit Name]. Your community needs you (and your inbox can wait!). 📧🚫 #VTO #EmployeeEngagement #NonprofitLife”

Instagram & Facebook

Use these interactive social media platforms to show the “fun” side of taking a VTO day.

Template 9: The Visual Story (Photo of a volunteer smiling during a daytime shift)

“Meet Sarah! 👋 She’s an accountant at [Company Name], but today she’s a hunger hero. Thanks to her company’s Volunteer Time Off (VTO) program, she spent her Tuesday morning packing meals instead of spreadsheets. 📦✨ Does your job offer VTO? Come join us! [Link in Bio]”

Template 10: The Short & Sweet

“Work 9-to-5? You can still volunteer! 🕒 Many employers offer paid time off for service. Ask your boss about VTO and come spend a day with us! #VolunteerTimeOff #DayOfService”

Registration and Intake Blurbs

The best time to capture VTO potential is when a volunteer first registers with your organization. Adding a small blurb to your intake form can prompt immediate action.

The Registration Field

Template 11: The Intake Prompt

“Many companies offer Volunteer Time Off (VTO) or Volunteer Grants. Please enter your employer’s name so we can help you maximize your impact!”

Best Practices for VTO Marketing

Writing the copy is step one. To truly fill those daytime shifts, you need to be strategic about how you deploy these blurbs.

1. Collect Employment Data: You cannot target VTO opportunities if you don’t know who is eligible. Make “Employer” a standard field on all volunteer interest forms. This allows you to segment your email lists and send specific appeals to employees of VTO-friendly companies like Microsoft or Sentinel Group.

2. Focus on “Civic Time Off:” Some companies refer to VTO as “Civic Time Off” or “Community Service Leave.” Use these terms interchangeably in your blurbs to ensure you are catching everyone’s attention.

3. Highlight the “Win-Win:” Always frame VTO as a benefit to the volunteer. It prevents burnout, offers a change of pace from the office, and allows them to be a “hero” for your organization during its most critical hours.

4. Leverage Group Events: Encourage volunteers to use VTO for team-building. A blurb like, “Bring your whole team for a VTO day!” can fill 10-20 slots in a single booking. This is especially effective for companies looking to boost morale and retention.

Wrapping Up & Next Steps

Integrating volunteer time off blurbs into your communications strategy is a low-effort, high-reward way to solve your daytime staffing challenges. By educating your supporters about the benefits sitting in their employee handbooks, you unlock a new pool of availability that was previously inaccessible. Whether through a LinkedIn post, a newsletter segment, or a simple question on a registration form, every mention helps normalize the concept of daytime volunteering.

Start by auditing your current volunteer touchpoints. Are you asking about employment? Do you have a dedicated webpage explaining VTO? Once you identify these gaps, paste in the templates above to start the conversation.

Ready to take your corporate engagement to the next level? Request a demo with Double the Donation Volunteering to see how our fundraising automation tools can help you identify eligible volunteers, promote VTO and volunteer grants, and maximize your impact with minimal effort.