Chapter 21: Working with Volunteer Fundraisers
Through their freely chosen and uncompensated involvement, volunteers embody passion and commitment to the cause, which is inspirational to potential donors and adds special value to fundraising efforts. Volunteers can offer practical help with fundraising tasks and linkages to prospective donors. This chapter will help readers understand the strategic role and value of volunteer fundraisers, distinguish two main types of volunteer fundraisers (staff-driven and supporter-driven), learn about volunteer trends, and gain insight about volunteer motivations. They will also read about six steps to successfully involve volunteers in all stages of the fundraising cycle: (1) determining what kind of volunteer helps the organization’s needs; (2) Identifying and recruiting volunteer fundraisers; (3) welcoming and developing volunteers; (4) ensuring meaningful engagement; (5) managing performance; and (6) recognising and retaining fundraising volunteers. Volunteers are a vital source of creativity and connection to local communities. The advice in this chapter will help readers to maximize their fundraising success by enabling them to recruit, reward, and retain volunteers.
Tyrone McKinley Freeman
Tyrone McKinley Freeman, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Philanthropic Studies at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Formerly a professional fundraiser in community development, social services, and higher education organizations, he also served as Associate Director of The Fund Raising School. He is author of Madam C.J. Walker’s Gospel of Giving: Black Women’s Philanthropy during Jim Crow, which won the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Global Skystone Partners Research Prize in Fundraising and Philanthropy.
Beth Breeze
Beth Breeze, Ph.D., worked as a fundraiser and charity manager for a decade before founding the Centre for Philanthropy at the University of Kent, UK, in 2008, where she now leads a team conducting research and teaching courses on philanthropy and fundraising, including an innovative M.A. Philanthropic Studies taught by distance learning. Her books include: Richer Lives: Why Rich People Give (2013), The New Fundraisers: Who Organises Generosity in Contemporary Society? (2017), and In Defence of Philanthropy (2021).
Tyrone M. Freeman and Beth Breeze discuss the chapter with Bill Stanczykiewicz, Achieving Excellence editor and Director of The Fund Raising School.