Volunteers and Fundraising: Doing It Well

Have you thought about volunteer strategy as a way to boost fundraising? Or has it been hiding in plain sight? Or maybe you’ve been hesitant to ask volunteers to give financially, worried it might risk losing them?
There are ways to involve volunteers that can backfire. Let’s talk about how to do it well.

Volunteers, when led, cultivated, and engaged the right way, can be some of your biggest cheerleaders. If trained well, they already know your mission, vision, and the impact you make in the community. They talk about your organization naturally — over coffee, at school pick-ups, in neighborhood conversations. That goodwill can translate into financial support too.

Not every volunteer will want or be able to give. That’s okay. As you ask for support, always be clear that giving is an option, not a requirement. Tone and words matter — you want volunteers to feel informed, not pressured.

Train Volunteers On

• Mission, vision, and impact — help them tell your story clearly.
  Ways people can give — financial donations, in-kind support, or other creative ways to contribute.

• Who to contact — staff who can answer questions and make the process seamless.
  Tools and resources — flyers, handouts, social posts, QR codes, anything they can access and share easily.

As with any role, volunteers need clear responsibilities that match their skills. Staff support, follow-up, and appreciation are key. Without it, even the most enthusiastic volunteer can get frustrated.

Preparing Materials
Have your donation lists ready — printed for your location and digital for social sharing. Volunteers need to know where the info lives, how to share it, and who to contact if questions come up.
For in-kind donations, be very specific: size, brand, type, condition, drop-off location, timing — the more details, the better.
For financial donations, clarify acceptable methods: cash (with secure handling), online giving, QR codes, website, or other options like crypto, DAFs, or bequests.

Engaging Volunteers Safely
When you know your volunteers well, you can ask if they know others who might be interested in your mission — without asking for their friends’ contact info. Let those individuals reach out themselves.
Encourage volunteers to host small fundraising events: birthday fundraisers, garage sales, bake sales, lemonade stands, or other creative projects. Give them QR codes or links for online giving — make it simple and seamless.
Volunteers can also help thank donors with a quick phone call. Proper volunteer selection, training, and scripts are key. Make sure they understand confidentiality and have signed any conflict-of-interest agreements. Volunteers with the right skills can assist with data entry, mailings, or other administrative tasks.
Ask about employer matching programs — some businesses will match donations if employees volunteer time or give financially. Volunteers can also help with auction items: asking for donations, picking them up, and creating visually appealing displays.

Measuring Impact
Track volunteer numbers, hours, and impact. Understanding ROI — the value volunteers bring compared to your investment — is important. Volunteers often contribute far more than the cost of engaging them.
Not a numbers person? No worries — ask your accounting team for help, or benchmark with others in the field. Seeing the impact in black-and-white helps justify the effort and resources you put into volunteer engagement.

Key Takeaways
Volunteers, when trained, supported, and appreciated, can be amazing advocates and contributors to your fundraising. Be practical, clear, and gracious when asking for support. Give volunteers the tools, guidance, and recognition they need to succeed — and always respect their boundaries regarding giving.
I’d love to hear from you: what have you learned, what ideas are you trying, and how are volunteers helping your organization make an impact?