How to Market Volunteer Grants at Your Universities

Universities play a pivotal role in shaping the future by fostering education, research, and community engagement. One powerful yet often underutilized resource for universities is volunteer grants: corporate giving programs that provide financial donations to nonprofits and educational institutions when their employees volunteer.

Effectively marketing these volunteer grants can unlock new streams of funding and deepen relationships with supporters who are passionate about giving back to your university. And in this guide, we’ll show you exactly how you can do so:

Why Marketing Volunteer Grants Matter for Universities

Volunteer grants represent a unique intersection between corporate social responsibility and community engagement, offering universities an opportunity to increase funding without additional solicitation. Many companies encourage their employees to volunteer by providing grants to the nonprofits where they contribute their time. For universities, this means that the volunteer efforts of faculty, staff, students, and alumni can translate directly into financial support.

Marketing volunteer grants is essential because awareness remains one of the biggest barriers to participation. Even when volunteers are actively engaged, they may not know that their employer offers a volunteer grant program or how to apply for it. By educating your university community about these opportunities, you can unlock a significant source of revenue that complements traditional fundraising campaigns.

Moreover, promoting volunteer grants helps universities strengthen their relationships with supporters. Volunteers who see their time translated into tangible financial contributions often feel more valued and connected to the institution. This increased engagement can lead to higher retention rates among donors and volunteers alike, fostering a loyal base that supports the university’s mission over the long term.

In addition, volunteer grant programs align well with universities’ broader goals of community involvement and social impact. By encouraging volunteerism and facilitating grant requests, universities demonstrate their commitment to civic engagement and social responsibility, enhancing their reputation and appeal to prospective students and partners.

Understanding the Volunteer Grant Landscape

Volunteer grant programs vary widely by company, with differences in eligibility criteria, minimum volunteer hours required, and grant amounts. Some corporations offer grants for as few as 10 volunteer hours, while others require more extensive commitments. Understanding these nuances is crucial for universities to provide accurate guidance to their supporters.

Many large employers have well-established volunteer grant programs, but smaller companies may also offer similar incentives. Universities should consider compiling a comprehensive list of companies with volunteer grant programs that are common among their community members. This list can serve as a valuable resource for volunteers seeking to maximize their impact.

Additionally, some companies offer team volunteer grants or special programs for specific types of volunteer activities. Universities can leverage these variations to encourage group volunteering events or service projects that align with institutional priorities, thereby amplifying both engagement and funding.

The Financial Impact of Volunteer Grants on Universities

Volunteer grants can generate substantial revenue for universities, often supplementing other fundraising streams without requiring additional asks. When volunteers submit grant requests, companies typically provide donations ranging from $250 to $1,000 or more, depending on the program. These funds can support scholarships, research initiatives, community outreach, or other university priorities.

Because volunteer grants are tied directly to volunteer hours, they incentivize ongoing engagement. Volunteers motivated by the prospect of a grant are more likely to continue their service, creating a virtuous cycle of giving and involvement. This sustained engagement benefits universities by building a committed network of supporters who contribute both time and money.

Furthermore, volunteer grants can help universities diversify their funding sources. In an era where traditional funding streams may fluctuate, tapping into corporate volunteer incentives provides a reliable and often underexploited revenue channel. This diversification enhances financial stability and resilience.

Strategies for Marketing Volunteer Grants to University Supporters

Effectively marketing volunteer grants requires a multi-faceted approach that reaches different segments of the university community. Tailoring your messaging and outreach to faculty, staff, students, and alumni ensures that each group understands the benefits and process of volunteer grants in a way that resonates with their unique motivations and circumstances.

One foundational strategy is to integrate volunteer grant information into existing communication channels. University newsletters, email campaigns, social media platforms, and the institution’s website are ideal venues for sharing details about volunteer grant programs. Consistent messaging across these platforms helps build awareness and keeps volunteer grants top of mind.

Hosting informational sessions or webinars can also be highly effective. These events provide an opportunity to explain the volunteer grant process, answer questions, and showcase success stories. Engaging university leaders or well-known volunteers as champions during these sessions can add credibility and inspire participation.

Leveraging Alumni Networks

Alumni are a critical audience for volunteer grant marketing. Many alumni remain deeply connected to their alma mater and are eager to support its mission through volunteerism and philanthropy. Universities can partner with alumni associations to promote volunteer grant opportunities through targeted communications and events.

Highlighting alumni who have successfully leveraged volunteer grants can serve as powerful testimonials. Sharing their stories in newsletters, social media, or alumni magazines can motivate others to follow suit. Additionally, universities can encourage alumni chapters to organize group volunteer activities that qualify for team grants, fostering camaraderie and collective impact.

Engaging Faculty and Staff

Faculty and staff often have strong ties to the university and the local community, making them ideal candidates for volunteer grant programs. Universities should collaborate with human resources and community engagement offices to disseminate information about volunteer grants and provide easy access to resources.

Incentivizing volunteerism through internal recognition programs can complement volunteer grant marketing efforts. Recognizing employees who participate in volunteer grant programs publicly reinforces the value of service and encourages others to get involved. Providing step-by-step guides or dedicated support for submitting grant requests can also reduce barriers and increase participation.

Utilizing Student Organizations and Service Groups

Students are a vibrant and enthusiastic segment of the university community, often involved in service clubs, fraternities, sororities, and other organizations. Partnering with these groups to promote volunteer grants can amplify outreach efforts and encourage collective participation.

Universities can provide training and resources to student leaders, empowering them to educate their peers about volunteer grants. Organizing volunteer fairs or service days where students can learn about grant opportunities and log their hours on the spot can boost engagement and simplify the process.

Key Tips for Volunteer Grant Messaging that Resonates with Universities

Crafting compelling messaging around volunteer grants is essential to capture the attention and interest of your university community. The language should emphasize the dual impact of volunteerism: both the personal fulfillment of giving time and the tangible financial support generated for the university.

Messages that highlight the ease of participation and the direct benefits to the university’s mission tend to resonate well. Volunteers want to know that their efforts make a difference and that claiming a volunteer grant is straightforward and worthwhile.

Emphasizing Impact and Recognition

People are motivated by seeing the results of their contributions. Messaging that connects volunteer hours to real-world outcomes, such as scholarships awarded, research funded, or community projects completed, can inspire greater participation.

Additionally, recognizing volunteers publicly for their service and grant submissions reinforces positive behavior. Whether through newsletters, social media shout-outs, or award ceremonies, acknowledgment fosters a sense of pride and belonging.

Addressing Common Questions and Concerns

Anticipating and addressing potential questions or concerns in your messaging can reduce hesitation. Common queries include eligibility criteria, how to track volunteer hours, deadlines for grant submissions, and the types of volunteer activities that qualify.

Providing FAQs, how-to guides, and contact information for support staff ensures volunteers feel confident and supported throughout the process. Transparency about timelines and expectations also helps manage volunteer experiences positively.

Overcoming Common Volunteer Grant Marketing Challenges for Universities

Despite the clear benefits, universities often face challenges when marketing volunteer grants. One major hurdle is the lack of awareness among volunteers about the existence of these programs. Without proactive outreach, many eligible volunteers may never learn about the opportunity to secure additional funding through their service.

Another challenge is the complexity of the application process. Some corporate volunteer grant programs require detailed documentation or have strict submission deadlines, which can discourage participation. Universities must find ways to simplify and support the process to maintain volunteer enthusiasm.

Data management can also pose difficulties. Tracking volunteer hours, matching them to eligible companies, and following up on grant submissions requires coordination and often integration with existing university systems. Without streamlined processes, valuable opportunities can be missed.

Building Awareness Through Consistent Communication

To combat low awareness, universities should implement ongoing communication plans that keep volunteer grants visible throughout the year. This includes regular reminders, updates on new corporate programs, and sharing success stories that illustrate the benefits of participation.

Partnering with departments such as alumni relations, human resources, and student affairs ensures that messaging reaches diverse audiences. Utilizing multiple channels—email, social media, campus events—maximizes exposure and engagement.

Simplifying the Volunteer Grant Process

Providing clear instructions and user-friendly resources is key to overcoming process complexity. Universities can develop step-by-step guides, checklists, and video tutorials that walk volunteers through each stage of submitting a grant request.

Offering dedicated support, such as a volunteer grant coordinator or help desk, can address individual questions and troubleshoot issues promptly. Automating parts of the process through software integration can also reduce administrative burdens and improve accuracy.

Leveraging Technology for Data Management

Effective data management is critical to maximizing volunteer grant revenue. Universities should explore tools that integrate volunteer tracking with donor databases and grant submission platforms. This integration helps identify eligible volunteers, monitor hours, and streamline reporting.

By centralizing data, universities can generate insights into volunteer engagement patterns and optimize marketing strategies accordingly. Technology also facilitates timely follow-ups and ensures no grant opportunities are overlooked.

---

Wrapping Up & Next Steps

Marketing volunteer grants at universities is a strategic approach that unlocks new funding while deepening community engagement. By raising awareness, simplifying processes, and leveraging technology, universities can empower their supporters to maximize the impact of their volunteer efforts.

Moving forward, institutions should prioritize building comprehensive communication plans, fostering partnerships across campus departments, and investing in tools that streamline volunteer grant management. These steps will position universities to fully capitalize on corporate volunteer incentives and strengthen their philanthropic ecosystem.

Transform Your University’s Volunteer Grant Strategy with Double the Donation

Double the Donation Volunteering specializes in helping universities and nonprofits tap into corporate volunteer incentives to boost engagement and revenue. Their innovative volunteer grant software seamlessly integrates with your existing fundraising and volunteer management platforms, eliminating data silos and providing valuable insights.

With Double the Donation, your university can identify volunteers eligible for corporate grants, educate them on how to log hours, and empower them to request funding from their employers—all without additional donation asks. This streamlined approach not only increases revenue but also fosters deeper supporter loyalty and long-term growth.

Thousands of educational institutions trust Double the Donation to unlock workplace giving opportunities beyond matching gifts. To explore how your university can benefit, learn how to grow revenue with volunteer grants.