Volunteers: Your Most Overlooked and Powerful Donors
April is National Volunteer Month—a perfect time to shine a light not just on the people who give their time, but on the powerful link between volunteering and giving. Too often, nonprofits treat volunteer engagement as an entirely separate strategy from fundraising. But here's the truth: volunteers are your most likely donors.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
According to Fidelity Charitable, two out of three volunteers also give financially to the nonprofits they serve—and their giving is more than twice as high as those who don’t volunteer. And here's a kicker: volunteers are 66% more likely to donate than non-volunteers, according to a report by the Corporation for National and Community Service.
This isn't just a feel-good connection. It's a smart, strategic one.
Treat Volunteers Like You Treat Donors
Let’s be honest. Many organizations ask volunteers to show up—but don’t steward them the way we steward donors. We wouldn’t ask a $5,000 donor to volunteer for four hours on a Saturday and never follow up. So why do we do that to volunteers?
- Say thank you (personally and publicly). Just like with donors, a handwritten thank you or a social media shoutout can go a long way.
- Tell them the impact. A donor wants to know what their dollars achieved. A volunteer wants to know what their hours accomplished. “You packed 48 meals that helped 14 families this week” is more powerful than “Thanks for helping!”
- Invite them in. Volunteers are already giving their time—they are warm leads. Invite them to your events, donor briefings, or stewardship updates. Let them see the impact up close.
Board Members Are Volunteers Too
Let’s not forget your board. Your board should be your best ambassadors—but that doesn’t mean just showing up to meetings or galas.
Strengthen Board Engagement Through Shared Experiences
Your board already gives generously—of their time, treasure, and influence. Rather than asking them to "do more," consider how you can deepen their connection to each other and to your mission. Here are a few ways to foster that:
Quarterly Connection Moments: Carve out time during your four annual meetings to include a short mission experience—like hearing directly from a youth participant, attending a student performance, or previewing an upcoming exhibit. These moments reinforce why they serve.
Board Cohort Mentorship: Invite interested board members to build meaningful, longer-term relationships—such as mentoring a student artist, young leader, or alumni. This adds richness to their service without adding more tasks.
Mission Immersion Events: Once a year, plan a behind-the-scenes, mission-focused experience just for your board. Whether it’s a walk-through of a new program space or a small-group discussion with frontline staff, this deepens their understanding and commitment.
Celebrate Their Impact: Instead of asking for more hours, lift up their influence. Share a short annual board impact snapshot showing how their leadership, advocacy, and generosity moved the mission forward.
Create a Volunteer Calendar—And Make It Shareable
You know the question: “How can we help?”
Too many organizations scramble to create a custom response. Instead, build a clear and simple “Ways to Get Involved” flyer or digital calendar that outlines:
- Year-round volunteer opportunities
- One-time event needs
- Skills-based projects
- Corporate team activities
- Peer-to-peer fundraising support
This not only saves you time but makes it easier for corporate partners, faith-based groups, and community members to plan ahead and plug in. Bonus: it positions you as organized and collaborative.
Volunteering Is Core to Who We Are
Here at Prism Philanthropy, we believe that you can’t fully advise on generosity without living it yourself. That’s why we dedicate about one day each week—or every other week—to giving back through volunteerism.
Our founder, Kara, proudly serves on the board of Opera Orlando and regularly donates her time to women’s organizations and nonprofits serving children and individuals with special needs. Whether it's strategic guidance, board service, or hands-on help at an event, we walk the walk when it comes to service.
From Hands to Hearts (and Wallets)
At the end of the day, volunteers aren’t just helping you fulfill your mission—they’re living it alongside you. They’re your future major donors, monthly givers, and lifelong champions. But only if you treat them that way.
So this April, don’t just post a thank-you photo on social media and call it a day. Use this month to build deeper systems for recognizing, cultivating, and celebrating your volunteers—the most loyal, generous, and mission-driven donors you may not have noticed yet.
