Volunteer Grants and VTO for Schools [A How-To Guide]
For school fundraisers, every dollar counts—but did you know that volunteer hours can translate into direct financial support for your school? Many companies offer volunteer grants, matching employee volunteer time with monetary donations to eligible organizations, including schools. Additionally, volunteer time off (or VTO) policies encourage employees to give back during paid work hours, increasing potential volunteer engagement.
By leveraging these programs, you can unlock new funding streams while strengthening relationships with businesses in your community. In this guide, we’ll show you how to identify, promote, and maximize these opportunities to boost your school’s fundraising and volunteering efforts.
We’ll cover the following:
- What are volunteer grants?
- What is volunteer time off?
- How these volunteer incentives benefit schools
- Common eligibility requirements to know
- Leading companies with volunteer incentives for schools
Ready to get started making the most of these corporate volunteer incentives for your school? Let’s begin with the basics.
What are volunteer grants?
Volunteer grants are corporate giving programs in which companies donate money to nonprofit organizations, including schools, in recognition of their employees’ volunteer hours. These grants allow schools to receive additional funding simply because parents or community members volunteer their time.
Many companies set specific guidelines for these programs, such as a minimum number of volunteer hours required before a grant is issued. On the other hand, some offer tiered matching, increasing the donation amount as volunteers contribute more time.
To take advantage of volunteer grants, school fundraisers should:
- Educate parents and staff about these programs.
- Identify companies in their community that offer volunteer grants.
- Track and report volunteer hours to qualify for grants.
By leveraging these programs, schools can turn volunteer time into much-needed financial support. And at the same time, volunteers get to know that their support is stretching even further for your cause.
Get Double the Donation’s comprehensive volunteer grants guide to learn more!
What is volunteer time off?
Volunteer Time Off (VTO) is a workplace benefit that allows employees to take paid time off to volunteer in their communities. Many companies encourage their employees to give back by providing designated volunteer days, allowing them to support causes like local schools without sacrificing their paychecks.
For schools, VTO presents an excellent opportunity to engage corporate volunteers in classroom support activities, facility improvement projects, and even in organizing and hosting fundraising events like bake sales, auctions, and school carnivals. Companies may offer VTO in different ways, including:
- A set number of paid hours or days per year for volunteering.
- Company-organized volunteer initiatives where employees work together on service projects.
- Team-based incentives that reward departments for volunteering together.
To maximize VTO for school fundraising, consider partnering with local businesses that offer this benefit, promoting opportunities for their employees to volunteer at your school, and creating structured programs that align with corporate social responsibility goals.
Grow your knowledge of VTO with Double the Donation’s complete guide!
How these volunteer incentives benefit schools
Volunteer grants and Volunteer Time Off (VTO) programs provide schools with valuable resources beyond just manpower—they offer direct financial support and stronger community connections.
Here’s how these corporate volunteer incentives can benefit your school’s fundraising efforts:
1. Increased Funding Through Volunteer Grants
Many schools rely on fundraising to support academic programs, extracurricular activities, and facility improvements. Volunteer grants turn time into money by providing direct donations from companies based on employee volunteer hours.
By actively promoting these programs, schools can secure additional funding without asking for direct monetary contributions from families.
2. Expanded Volunteer Base with VTO
Volunteer Time Off encourages employees to give back to their communities during work hours, making it easier for busy professionals to participate in school activities. This means more hands on deck for fundraising events, reading programs, mentorship opportunities, and facility projects—all without volunteers needing to use their personal time or sacrifice their paychecks.
3. Strengthened Corporate Partnerships
Leveraging these programs builds stronger relationships between schools and local businesses. Companies that support their employees’ volunteer efforts are more likely to become long-term partners, contributing through volunteer days, sponsorships, in-kind donations, or future grants.
Schools that actively engage businesses in their fundraising efforts can create sustainable support networks.
4. Enhanced Community Engagement and School Spirit
When schools, parents, local businesses, and corporate employees collaborate on volunteer initiatives, it fosters a deeper sense of community. Increased involvement leads to more engagement in school activities, improved student support, and stronger advocacy for future fundraising efforts.
By tapping into volunteer grants and VTO programs, schools can access new funding streams, boost volunteer participation, and develop lasting corporate partnerships—ultimately helping to create better learning environments for students.
Common eligibility requirements to know
While volunteer grants and volunteer time off programs offer great opportunities for schools, it’s essential that you understand the eligibility requirements that companies often impose. After all, knowing these criteria upfront can help you better plan and maximize the potential of the programs.
Below are some standard eligibility requirements to be aware of for both volunteer grants and VTO.
For volunteer grants, program criteria generally include:
- Qualifying nonprofits (often including public and private schools with 501(c)(3) status)
- Qualifying employees (full-time, part-time, retired, and/or spouses)
- Minimum number of hours for grant eligibility
- Established funding amount (per hour or total)
- Approved volunteer activities
- Grant application process and deadlines
Meanwhile, for volunteer time off, corporate guidelines typically cover:
- Qualifying nonprofits (often including public and private schools with 501(c)(3) status)
- Qualifying employees (full-time, part-time)
- Maximum number of hours available to request
- Approved volunteer activities
- VTO request process and application deadlines
All in all, by understanding these common eligibility requirements for volunteer grants and VTO, you can help ensure that your school takes full advantage of these programs and increases your chances of securing both volunteer time and financial support.
Leading companies with volunteer incentives for schools
Several companies have made significant strides in supporting schools and communities through volunteer incentives like volunteer grants and Volunteer Time Off (VTO) programs. By partnering with these companies, schools can tap into valuable resources for fundraising and community engagement.
Below are some leading companies known for offering robust volunteer incentives that can benefit your school:
Texas Instruments
Texas Instruments (or TI) is known for its strong commitment to education, particularly in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields.
Through their Employee Giving and Volunteer Incentive Programs, they offer significant support to schools.
- Volunteer Grants: Texas Instruments offers volunteer grants to organizations where their employees volunteer. For every set number of hours volunteered, TI will make a grant to the organization.
- Volunteer Time Off (VTO): TI’s VTO program allows employees to take paid time off to volunteer for causes that they are passionate about, including education.
Texas Instruments’ focus on STEM education and community involvement makes them a great resource for schools aiming to enhance their science, technology, and math programs. Partnering with TI for volunteer grants and VTO can provide schools with essential volunteer support and financial contributions to strengthen their educational initiatives.
Learn more about Texas Instruments’ volunteer incentive programs.
Verizon
Verizon is another major corporation that offers strong volunteer incentives through both Volunteer Grants and Volunteer Time Off (VTO) programs, with a particular focus on supporting educational initiatives.
- Volunteer Grants: Verizon matches volunteer hours with financial donations to nonprofit organizations, including schools. Once an employee volunteers for 50 hours, Verizon contributes a generous grant in the amount of $750.
- Volunteer Time Off (VTO): Verizon provides employees with the opportunity to take paid time off to volunteer in their communities, including volunteering for educational causes. The company encourages employees to get involved in school-related projects and educational initiatives, whether through tutoring, organizing events, or supporting technology programs.
Verizon is a strong partner for schools, especially those focused on technology and innovation. Their commitment to volunteerism through both financial incentives and paid time off can significantly enhance your school’s resources and community engagement.
Learn more about Verizon’s volunteer incentive programs.
Crayola
Crayola is a company deeply committed to supporting education, particularly through volunteerism. Their Crayola Helps program encourages employees to get involved in their communities, including schools, by offering both Volunteer Grants and Volunteer Time Off (VTO).
- Volunteer Grants: Crayola offers volunteer grants to employees who volunteer at eligible organizations, including schools. The company matches employee volunteer hours with financial donations, allowing schools to receive additional support based on the number of hours Crayola employees contribute to their activities.
- Volunteer Time Off (VTO): Crayola provides paid time off for employees to volunteer, empowering them to participate in school events, mentoring programs, or other community service initiatives without affecting their pay.
Crayola’s focus on education and the arts aligns perfectly with schools, especially those involved in creative learning and arts programs. Engaging with Crayola for volunteer grants and VTO can provide your school with both hands-on support and additional funding.
Learn more about Crayola’s volunteer incentive programs.
Bank of America
Bank of America’s Employee Giving and Volunteer Program offers volunteer grants to employees who dedicate time to community service. The company will donate $500 per 50 hours volunteered, with a maximum amount of 100 hours per year.
The bank also provides VTO to employees, allowing them to volunteer during paid work hours. Bank of America prioritizes education, making its volunteer incentive programs a strong resource for schools and educational nonprofits.
Learn more about Bank of America’s volunteer incentive programs.
Google’s Serve with Google program offers VTO to employees, allowing them to take up to 20 hours per year to volunteer during paid work hours. In addition, Google matches employee volunteer efforts with grants through its Google.org program, which can be applied to nonprofit organizations, including schools.
With a focus on education and innovation, Google is a powerful partner for schools looking to engage employees and benefit from their volunteer work.
Learn more about Google’s volunteer incentive programs.
Volunteer grants and VTO programs present a valuable yet often underutilized opportunity for school fundraising. By educating your school community and corporate partners about these programs, you can turn volunteer efforts into much-needed financial support.
With a strategic approach (and the right tools to power it), you can increase participation, build lasting relationships with businesses, and enhance your school’s fundraising success. Start tapping into these resources today and make every volunteer hour count toward your school’s financial goals. Good luck!
