Articles

Embracing Volunteers as Donors

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Yes, members of your community already contribute time, talent and treasure to OSU Extension programs.

Also yes, some of them might be willing to build on their support, deepen their engagement and consider giving through other means, such as gifts of securities or IRA rollovers, following a personalized stewardship conversation.

We are here to help you find out! Connect with Your OSU Extension Advancement Team.

Check out the articles below to learn how long-term volunteerism is a great indication of who we should be reaching out to about leadership, major and deferred/estate gift opportunities.

Must-Read Fidelity Study on Link Dynamics between Giving and Volunteering

By Ruth McCambridge

“[I]f you run a big volunteer program, you may come into contact with them, because according to this report, ‘Eighty-seven percent of volunteers say there is overlap between the organizations they support financially and where they volunteer, with 43 percent describing significant or total overlap with the organizations they support financially and as a volunteer.'”

It’s Time to Stop Being Afraid of Asking Volunteers for Donations

By Billy Ratthahao

“Here’s some really good news. Almost 80% of volunteers will donate (Volunteering in America), and volunteers are 10x as likely to give than a non-volunteer (Fidelity Charitable)!

You are leaving precious dollars on the table by not tapping into your gold mine of volunteers!”

Philanthropy: A Leader’s Role in Community

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Sharing an interesting publication written by Christine Wetherholt Cugliari, Ph.D. and Garee W. Earnest, Ph.D.

Philanthropy: A Leader’s Role in Community

Journal of Leadership Education

Volume 6, Issue 1 – Winter 2007

Link to Full Article

 

Abstract:

“This study of philanthropy donors in Appalachian Ohio was conducted with the purpose of understanding giving within a rural region. The research was initiated with an ultimate goal of increasing endowed assets in communities that are experiencing philanthropic poverty. The data collected from donors utilizing post-positivist qualitative research methods revealed not only donor giving rationale, but also steps community leaders can take to encourage giving communities and build philanthropic assets that will permit communities to help themselves.”

Excerpt of the Conclusion:

“As community leaders there is a responsibility to picture what can be, and assist others in seeing and creating this preferred future. Along with this is an implied responsibility to envision how this might be accomplished and with what resources. In addition, as a community leader and steward you are entrusted with community assets, which must not only be wisely used in the present but also captured, preserved, and enhanced for the future benefit of the community. This is the jumping off point for understanding why philanthropy is of importance…

Therefore, one of the roles in the job description of community leader should be that of encouraging the community to invest in itself; of encouraging individuals to seriously consider philanthropic giving… in order to develop and maintain a strong civil infrastructure.”