You’ve probably heard people say time is money, and it’s true – they both have value.

Many things in life are dependent on if you have the time or the money to do them. Making a contribution to charity is no different, and you might find yourself wondering as a fundraiser whether it is better to encourage donors to give money to your charity or become a volunteer and give you, their time. 

The answer on a basic level is that people do what they are able to: if they support a cause and have spare funds but no time they may choose to give to a charity. If they have time but not extra funds they may choose to volunteer. If they have both money and spare time, they may want to do both (donate and volunteer).

This above is the simple answer and there are always other factors to consider. For example, whether individuals are donating their money or their time it is important for them donors to know exactly what happens to their donation and how their time will impact the cause they support. 

Donors can do their research to find reputable organisations, to support but there’s always an element of trust when they hand over their money.  On the other hand, when you volunteer it is often clearer to see the contribution you are making to help the project /cause reach success. When you are a volunteer on the ground you can also see exactly how money donated is used and the direct benefit it has. 

So, let’s look at some of the reasons people donate and/or volunteer.

Donating money to a charity

For people who don’t have the time but do have extra income, and a desire to make a contribution, giving to a charitable cause is a great option. Donating to a charity is a wonderful way to make an impact towards a cause they believe in or have a desire to help. Charities rely on monetary    donations to keep functioning, so never underestimate the importance of donors giving what they can, no matter how small.

Making a donation to a charity is ideal for people short on time; the rise in online giving has made donating to charity quicker and easier than ever before. Plus, the internet allows them to do a lot of research online to make sure they are giving to a charity that most aligns with their interests and causes they care about.

Volunteering for a charity

If individuals have the time to spare how is volunteering different to donating money? Well, getting involved in charitable activities on the ground can offer a more meaningful experience than watching (and donating) from afar. Contributing time is beneficial to charitable causes, whether this is offering skills in an office, helping at outdoor events, or participating in a project. In all these examples volunteers can make a sustainable impact and play a vital role. 

They also don’t need to spend significant periods of time. As a charity recruiting volunteers you need to be aware that volunteers are only able to commit the amount of time that suits them. One of the best things about volunteering is that it works both ways. As well as contributing to your charity, volunteering can help individuals to learn new skills that can assist them in reaching their own career or personal goals through the benefit of experience.

For a deeper understanding in why and how people volunteer the National Council of Voluntary Organisations has a handy guide which can be found at: https://www.ncvo.org.uk/ncvo-volunteering/i-want-to-volunteer.

In conclusion, there is equal (but different) value in your supporters donating their money or their time. The motivations and reasons behind each differ and in terms of your fundraising strategy understanding what you as a charity need will help you in building the correct approach into your strategy.