Engaging Corporate Volunteers On Giving Tuesday-Top Tips

Engaging Corporate Volunteers On Giving Tuesday: Top Tips

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Giving Tuesday has become a global phenomenon, synonymous with a massive influx of charitable donations. However, savvy nonprofits know that this day of generosity offers more than just a financial boost; it is a prime opportunity for engaging corporate volunteers on Giving Tuesday. While individual donors are opening their wallets, many corporate employees are looking for meaningful ways to donate their time and skills. Tapping into this resource can unlock a “double impact” for your organization: the immediate value of volunteer labor, plus the potential for financial rewards through corporate philanthropy programs such as volunteer grants and Volunteer Time Off (VTO).

Despite the clear benefits, many organizations overlook the potential of corporate volunteering during the year-end rush. They focus heavily on fundraising appeals, leaving valuable volunteer hours—and the corporate dollars attached to them—on the table. By shifting your strategy to include a robust corporate engagement plan, you can diversify your Giving Tuesday success. This involves not only creating appealing volunteer opportunities but also actively educating these supporters about the corporate benefits available to them.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

By integrating these strategies, you can transform Giving Tuesday from a one-day fundraising blitz into a catalyst for long-term corporate partnerships and sustainable support.

The Strategic Value of Corporate Volunteering

Before diving into tactics, it is essential to understand why engaging corporate volunteers on Giving Tuesday is a game-changer. Corporate philanthropy has evolved, and businesses are increasingly motivated to support the causes their employees care about. This aligns perfectly with the spirit of Giving Tuesday, creating a unique synergy between your needs and corporate CSR goals.

The “Double Impact” of Volunteer Grants

Volunteer grants, often called “Dollars for Doers”, are corporate giving programs where companies provide monetary donations to nonprofits based on the number of hours their employees volunteer. For example, a company might donate $25 for every hour an employee volunteers. This means that a corporate volunteer doesn’t just give their time; they essentially bring a check with them. On a high-volume day like Giving Tuesday, these grants can add up to thousands of dollars in unrestricted revenue.

Unlocking Volunteer Time Off (VTO)

Volunteer Time Off (VTO) is a policy where employers grant employees paid time off to volunteer. This removes a significant barrier to participation: the conflict between work and service. By targeting employees with VTO benefits, you can fill volunteer shifts during the workday—times that are typically hard to staff. Promoting VTO turns Giving Tuesday into a “day on” rather than a “day off” for professionals, bringing skilled labor directly to your mission.

Building Long-Term Partnerships

Giving Tuesday is an excellent entry point for new corporate partners. A successful volunteer event can serve as a “audition” for a deeper relationship. When employees have a positive experience, they are more likely to advocate for your nonprofit internally, leading to sponsorships, matching gift programs, and recurring volunteer events throughout the year.

Did You Know? Corporate engagement on Giving Tuesday has seen remarkable growth, with workplace giving programs reporting substantial increases in both employee participation and volunteer hours.

Strategies for Engaging Corporate Volunteers

To successfully attract corporate volunteers, you need to offer opportunities that fit their schedules and interests. A generic call for help might get lost in the noise; a targeted invitation stands out.

Create Group-Friendly Opportunities

Corporations love team-building activities. Design Giving Tuesday volunteer opportunities that accommodate groups. This could be a “kit-packing” event where teams assemble hygiene kits or school supply backpacks. These activities are scalable, social, and offer a tangible sense of accomplishment that corporate teams crave.

Offer Virtual and Skills-Based Options

Not every company can send a team in person. Offer virtual volunteering options, such as a “Wikipedia edit-a-thon” relevant to your cause or a remote mentorship session. Skills-based volunteering—like a marketing team auditing your social media or accountants helping with year-end financials—allows employees to use their professional expertise for good, which is highly valued by both the individual and their employer.

Sync with Corporate Calendars

Giving Tuesday falls at a busy time of year. Reach out to corporate partners early—ideally in September or October—to get on their holiday calendar. Many companies look for year-end service projects to boost morale. Position your Giving Tuesday event as the perfect solution for their holiday team-building needs.

Encouraging Volunteer Grant Participation

Getting volunteers in the door is step one. Step two is ensuring they submit their volunteer grant requests. This requires a proactive communication strategy that educates volunteers about their eligibility.

Pre-Event Education

Don’t wait until the event is over. Include a field in your volunteer registration form asking, “Does your employer offer volunteer grants?” Include a brief blurb explaining that many companies match volunteer hours with cash. This plants the seed before they even arrive.

On-Site Reminders

Make volunteer grants visible during your Giving Tuesday event. Place signage at the check-in table with a QR code linking to a “Check Your Eligibility” page. Make a verbal announcement during the orientation or wrap-up to remind everyone to log their hours and check their corporate portal. A simple reminder like, “Did you know your time today could be worth $100 to us?” can drive immediate action.

The “Double Thank You” Follow-Up

In your post-event thank you email, include a specific call to action for volunteer grants.

The Ask: “Thank you for your hard work! Please take 5 minutes to log your hours in your company’s giving portal. This simple step could double the value of your time.” Providing a direct link to a database or search tool that lets them find their company’s specific forms reduces friction and increases submission rates.

Promoting Volunteer Time Off (VTO)

Many employees have VTO hours they need to “use or lose” before the end of the year. Giving Tuesday is the perfect hook to encourage them to use those hours with you.

Targeted Outreach

If you have employment data on your current supporters, segment your email list. Send a targeted email to employees of companies known to offer VTO (like Salesforce, Deloitte, or Patagonia), reminding them to use their remaining hours.

The Message: “Don’t let your VTO hours expire! Spend Giving Tuesday with us and make a difference on company time.”.

“Lunch and Learn” Sessions

Offer to host a brief virtual or in-person “Lunch and Learn” for corporate partners in November. Use this time to explain your Giving Tuesday plans and explicitly highlight how employees can use VTO to participate. This direct connection with employees can bypass the inbox clutter.

Social Media Spotlights

Use LinkedIn to target professionals. Share posts highlighting the benefits of VTO and tagging companies with generous policies.

Post Idea: “Does your company offer Volunteer Time Off? 🕒 Spend your day making an impact! We have open shifts for #GivingTuesday. Tag your coworkers and sign up today!”

Quick Tip: Create a dedicated “Corporate Volunteering” page on your website. List upcoming opportunities and include a search tool where visitors can instantly check their VTO and volunteer grant eligibility. This serves as a central hub for all your corporate engagement efforts.

Customizable Volunteer Communication Templates for Giving Tuesday

To help you execute these strategies, here are ready-to-use templates for your Giving Tuesday campaign.

Email Template: The “Invite”

Subject: Join us for Giving Tuesday (and double your impact!)

Body: Dear [Name], This Giving Tuesday, we aren’t just asking for donations—we’re asking for you. We are hosting a special volunteer event to [briefly describe activity], and we’d love to see you there. Did you know your employer might pay you to join us? Many companies offer Volunteer Time Off (VTO), allowing you to volunteer during the workday without using vacation time. Plus, after you volunteer, your company might offer a volunteer grant—a monetary donation for every hour you serve!

  • Check your eligibility here: [Link to search tool or your website].
  • Sign up for a shift: [Link to registration].

Let’s make this Giving Tuesday our biggest yet!

Social Media Post: The “VTO Reminder”

“Don’t leave your benefits on the table! 📉 Many companies offer Volunteer Time Off (VTO) that expires on Dec 31. Use your hours to support [Nonprofit Name] this #GivingTuesday! It’s a great way to give back without spending a dime. 🤝 Sign up now: [Link].”

Post-Event Thank You: The “Grant Nudge”

Subject: You were amazing! One last thing…

Body: Hi [Name], Thank you so much for volunteering on Giving Tuesday! Your hard work helped us [mention specific impact]. Want to make your time go even further? Please check if your employer offers volunteer grants. It takes just a few minutes to log your hours, and it could result in a generous donation to our cause at no cost to you. Find your company’s form here: [Link] Thank you for being a champion for our mission!

Wrapping Up & Next Steps

Engaging corporate volunteers on Giving Tuesday is a powerful way to amplify your impact. By looking beyond simple cash donations and tapping into the vast resources of corporate philanthropy (specifically volunteer grants and VTO), you can secure vital funding and build a community of dedicated supporters.

To get started, review your volunteer registration forms to ensure you are capturing employment data. Then, draft your communication plan using the templates above, ensuring you mention VTO and grants in every email and social post. With a proactive approach, you can turn this Giving Tuesday into a milestone for corporate engagement.

Ready to streamline your corporate fundraising? Request a demo with Double the Donation Volunteering to see how our powerful tools can help you identify eligible volunteers, promote workplace volunteering, and maximize your revenue with minimal effort. It’s perfect for Giving Tuesday and beyond!