Do Volunteers = Donations? Exploring How Volunteers Influence Prospective Donors

Researchers and practitioners alike have long discussed the relationship between volunteering and monetary donations, particularly with respect to the question of whether these two forms of giving are substitutes or complements of one another. Despite these discussions, those in development, fundraising and volunteer management often remain separated from one another in terms of organizational structure and strategy.

A recent article by Beck and colleagues (2025) explored the potential relationship from a different lens: Do the number of volunteers reported on an organization’s form 990 serve as a positive signal of organizational effectiveness to prospective donors, thereby encouraging them to donate? Indeed, the authors found evidence that the role of volunteering is a positive signal for donors. While the article focuses mainly on the implications for donations and revenue generation, there are also implications for leaders of Volunteer Engagement to consider. Reviewer Allison Russell unpacks it all in this issue’s Research to Practice. 

Available June 12