How to Turn Volunteers Into Donors: Unlock the Power of Your Volunteer Base

Have you ever wondered where you can find a group of passionate donors who already believe in your mission?

The answer is closer than you think.

Your volunteer base—the people who show up, pitch in, and participate in hands-on opportunities—is one of the most powerful and underutilized sources of financial support for nonprofit organizations. These supporters are already invested in your organization’s success. With the right volunteer engagement strategy, many will choose to deepen that support through financial contributions.

Turning volunteers into donors is about recognition, connection, and clear invitation—and doing it in a way that strengthens relationships, not strains them.

Why volunteers are ideal potential donors

Finding and engaging new donors is one of the toughest challenges nonprofits face today. Fundraising efforts are under constant pressure, and the need for sustainable financial support has never been greater.

What many nonprofits overlook is that most volunteers are already deeply connected to the mission.

Engaged volunteers who participate in meaningful volunteer opportunities develop strong emotional bonds with the organizations they support. Research shows that hands-on involvement activates neurotransmitters like dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins—chemicals associated with happiness, trust, and belonging. These positive experiences deepen empathy, reinforce purpose, and create lasting emotional connections.

That’s why:

• Volunteers are more likely to donate than non-volunteers
• Volunteers donate an average of 10 times more than non-volunteers

When volunteers directly witness the positive impact of their time and effort, many want to amplify that impact with monetary donations.

What it really means to turn volunteers into donors

Volunteer to donor conversion is the intentional process of guiding volunteers along a journey—from engagement, to education, to donation—without compromising trust or the volunteer experience.

It does not mean treating volunteers as fundraising targets.

It means:

• Valuing volunteer effort the same way you value donations
• Keeping volunteers informed about mission impact and organizational success
• Providing multiple ways to support the mission, including financial support

The goal is to create super supporters—people who generously give both time and money because they feel connected, appreciated, and involved.

The volunteer donor journey and lifecycle

Every supporter follows a journey. Understanding the volunteer donor journey allows nonprofits to make donation requests at the right time, in the right way.

The volunteer-to-donor funnel

Engage volunteers → Educate → Invite → Steward → Upgrade

This volunteer donor lifecycle mirrors donor cultivation best practices while recognizing that volunteers often enter the relationship long before they ever donate.

Stage 1: Engage volunteers and treat them like donors

Goal: Create a positive volunteer experience rooted in appreciation and respect.

One of the most effective ways to encourage volunteers to donate is to treat them like donors from the very beginning, even before they make a financial contribution. Volunteers are already investing something incredibly valuable: their time. When that contribution is recognized with the same care and intention as a donation, it sets the tone for a deeper, long-term relationship.

Volunteer time has real value, both emotionally and financially. When volunteers feel genuinely seen, appreciated, and respected for their effort, they are far more likely to stay involved, advocate for your mission, and eventually choose to support it financially as well.

Best practices for volunteer appreciation include:

• Thanking volunteers promptly and personally, not just in bulk or at year-end
• Recognizing volunteer roles, volunteer tasks, and effort both publicly and privately
• Quantifying the impact of volunteer work whenever possible so they can see the difference they made

Example:
“The help you provided by stuffing 1,000 envelopes helped generate $12,500 in donations—allowing us to serve 150 more people. We couldn’t have done this without you.”

This kind of acknowledgment reinforces that volunteers are already contributing to fundraising success and advancing the mission in meaningful ways.

Stage 2: Track volunteer activity and engagement

Goal: Understand engagement before making donation requests.

If volunteer activity isn’t tracked, it can’t be stewarded effectively. Understanding how volunteers engage, how often, and in what ways gives nonprofits the insight they need to build thoughtful, well-timed relationships.

>Using volunteer management software or a relationship management system allows nonprofit organizations to track:

• Volunteer shifts and attendance
• Volunteer roles and training sessions
• Participation in volunteer events and fundraisers
• Retention and long-term involvement over time

This information isn’t just operational—it’s relational. Tracking volunteer engagement helps organizations:

• Identify dedicated volunteers and potential donors
• Segment current volunteers for targeted, relevant outreach
• Strengthen donor relationships with more personalized communication

Accurate tracking also ensures volunteers are thanked meaningfully and appropriately, which is an essential step before ever inviting financial support.

Stage 3: Educate volunteers and invite storytelling

Goal:Deepen emotional connection to the mission.

Volunteers are more likely to donate when they clearly understand how their effort connects to real people, real programs, and real outcomes. Education helps volunteers move from “helping out” to truly seeing themselves as part of the mission’s success.

Effective education and engagement strategies include:

• Sharing impact stories tied directly to the organization’s mission
• Explaining how volunteer tasks support programs and fundraising efforts
• Providing regular updates that keep volunteers informed and connected
• Inviting volunteers to share why they participate and what the work means to them

Encourage volunteers to:

• Share their stories on social media
• Contribute testimonials to newsletters or blog features
• Act as ambassadors within their community

Volunteers who feel proud to share their experience often become your strongest advocates—and are far more likely to become future donors.

Stage 4: Ask for financial support clearly and respectfully

Goal: Make donation requests without assumption or pressure.

Many nonprofits struggle to turn volunteers into donors for one simple reason: they never actually ask. Volunteers may care deeply about the mission but still be unsure how or when financial support fits into their role.

Volunteers may not realize:

• That financial support is needed in addition to volunteer help
• How or where to donate
• That small, recurring donations truly matter

Effective donation requests for volunteers include:

• Soft asks integrated into volunteer communications
• Donation links in follow-up or thank-you emails
• Monthly giving options (such as $10–$20 per month)
• Clear explanations of how donations amplify the impact they’re already making

When framed as an invitation—not an obligation—asking for financial support often strengthens commitment rather than detracting from the volunteer experience.

Stage 5: Nurture and steward volunteer donors

Goal: Strengthen donor relationships after the first gift.

Once a volunteer makes a financial contribution, stewardship becomes especially important. Volunteer donors should be recognized as whole supporters—people who give time, effort, and money because they believe in the mission.

Stewardship best practices

• Thanking volunteers for both their service and their financial contributions
• Highlighting cumulative impact by showing how hours volunteered and dollars donated work together
• Maintaining open dialogue through regular check-ins and updates
• Seeking feedback and inviting continued involvement

Thoughtful stewardship builds trust, increases retention, and lays the foundation for long-term fundraising success.

Stage 6: Activate and empower super supporters

Goal: Expand impact through leadership and advocacy.

Some volunteers consistently demonstrate exceptional passion, reliability, and commitment. These “super supporters” are uniquely positioned to deepen their involvement and help extend your reach.

Super supporters can:

• Serve as ambassadors for your cause
• Participate in advisory groups or decision-making conversations
• Help recruit volunteers and attract new donors
• Expand your organization’s reach within the community

By offering personalized opportunities, recognition, and trust, nonprofits empower these supporters to take ownership of the mission—amplifying impact far beyond what staff alone can achieve.

The role of volunteer management software

Turning volunteers into donors works best when your tools are built to work together—and built for nonprofits.

Bloomerang’s volunteer management software is designed to help nonprofit organizations turn volunteer engagement into lasting donor support by uniting volunteer activity, donor data, and relationship insights in one purpose-built platform.

With Bloomerang, nonprofits can:

• See the full volunteer-to-donor lifecycle in one place
• Segment volunteers and potential donors with clarity
• Automate personalized outreach and regular check-ins
• Align volunteer engagement and fundraising efforts

When volunteer management and donor relationships live in Bloomerang, nonprofits save time, reduce guesswork, and strengthen relationships—making it easier to turn volunteer passion into sustainable fundraising success and next-level impact.

Common mistakes that risk losing volunteers

Strong volunteer-to-donor relationships are built on trust. When that trust is overlooked, even unintentionally, nonprofits can lose momentum with dedicated volunteers and miss opportunities for long-term support.

To protect relationships and keep volunteers engaged, watch out for these common pitfalls:

• Asking before the relationship is ready
  Volunteers need time to feel connected to the mission and confident in their role. Giving invitations are most effective after appreciation and engagement are firmly in place.
• Overlooking non-financial contributions
  Time, effort, and expertise are meaningful forms of support. When these contributions are clearly valued, volunteers feel respected and more open to deeper involvement.
• Treating volunteers and donors as separate audiences
  Many supporters move between volunteering and giving over time. A connected approach helps create a more seamless, personal experience.
• Letting appreciation and communication fade
  Regular check-ins, updates, and thank-yous help volunteers stay connected and informed. Consistent communication supports long-term engagement.

When nonprofits focus on recognition, communication, and relationship-building, volunteer donor conversion feels natural—strengthening community and supporting lasting impact.

Closing thoughts: Unlock the full potential of your volunteers

Your volunteers are already changing lives. Leaving their potential untapped is leaving impact—and funding—on the table.

By engaging volunteers thoughtfully, recognizing their contributions, and inviting them to support the mission financially, nonprofits can build a community of super supporters who fuel long-term success.

It’s time to unlock the power of your volunteer base and let their passion carry your mission further.

Turn volunteer engagement into lasting donor support with Bloomerang

Bloomerang helps nonprofit organizations turn volunteers into donors by uniting volunteer management, donor relationships, and engagement insights in one purpose-built platform.

See how Bloomerang helps turn volunteers into donors