Giving resources, time, and skills by volunteers help nonprofits grow. But have you considered asking your volunteers to give a financial contribution and received an objection? Learn how to receive objections to your financial ask and how to reframe the narrative so you can transform more volunteers into donors this Giving Tuesday season.
How to Respectfully Respond to Donation Objections from Volunteers
Each year, on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, something extraordinary happens: people around the world come together to give back. Known as Giving Tuesday, this global generosity movement reminds us that no matter how we give—our time, our money, or our voices—we all have something valuable to contribute to the causes we care about.
At Golden, we see this spirit of generosity every day—not just on Giving Tuesday. Volunteers like are the reason nonprofit organizations are able to do what we do. Whether it’s sorting donations, mentoring youth, delivering meals, or lending professional skills behind the scenes, a volunteer’s time is one of the most meaningful gifts an organization can receive.
Still, as Giving Tuesday approaches and nonprofits everywhere share appeals for financial support, organizers sometimes hear a very understandable response from volunteers:
“I’m already donating my time. I shouldn’t have to donate my money too.”
Let’s take a closer look at why this feeling is valid, what it says about the importance of volunteers, and how time and money, while different, can work together to create an even bigger impact.
The Power of Your Time
Volunteering is no small commitment. It takes time, energy, coordination, and heart. Unlike many transactional interactions in life, volunteering is personal. A volunteer showing up in service of a cause that matters and putting in real effort, sometimes with little recognition and no financial reward.
That’s why we say: thank you.
A volunteer’s time has tremendous value. In fact, according to Independent Sector, the estimated national value of each volunteer hour is over $31.80. So if a volunteer contributes just two hours a week, they’re making an annual impact worth more than $3,000 to an organization. That’s an incredible contribution!
When you volunteer, you’re already deeply invested in our mission. We see you. We appreciate you. And we absolutely understand why you may feel that’s enough—because it is enough.
So Why Do Nonprofits Still Ask Volunteers to Give Financially?
Here’s the short answer: We ask everyone who believes in our mission and volunteers are often the people who believe most deeply.
Many organizations share their Giving Tuesday campaigns with their entire community—donors, partners, social media followers, and yes, volunteers. That’s because we want everyone to know the different ways they can support the mission, especially during a critical time when donations are matched or stretched further.
But that doesn’t mean you’re expected to give in every way. It simply means we’re inviting you to consider it.
Just as your time is invaluable, even small financial contributions—when added together—can be transformational. And sometimes, it’s our most passionate volunteers who choose to give, not out of obligation, but because they see the impact up close.
When Time and Money Come Together
You’ve probably seen firsthand what it takes to run programs, support clients, or respond to urgent needs. Maybe you’ve thought, “If only we had more supplies,” or “This could go so much further with just a little more funding.”
That’s often where the motivation to give financially comes in. Some volunteers choose to donate because they want to amplify the impact of their time. Others invite friends or family to give, knowing their volunteer service lends extra credibility to the ask.
For example:
- A volunteer at a food pantry may donate $25 on Giving Tuesday, knowing that every dollar provides four meals.
- A tutor might give $10 to help fund new books for the reading program.
- A group of volunteers may rally together to create a Giving Tuesday peer-to-peer fundraiser.
In each case, it’s not about obligation, it’s about opportunity. And Giving Tuesday is all about that: creating space for generosity in whatever form feels right to you.
What If I Can’t or Don’t Want to Give Money?
That’s absolutely okay. A volunteer is already a vital part of a community. Giving Tuesday isn’t about pressure—it’s about possibility.
There are so many ways you can support the movement beyond a financial gift:
- Share your story. Tell others why you volunteer with us and encourage them to get involved.
- Start a social media campaign. Use your platform to raise awareness for the cause.
- Invite a friend to volunteer. Help us grow our community of supporters.
- Leave a review or testimonial. Your words can help future volunteers or donors connect with our work.
Even just liking, commenting on, or resharing our Giving Tuesday posts can go a long way in helping us reach new audiences.
Gratitude for All the Ways You Give
At the heart of Giving Tuesday is the belief that everyone has something to give—and that every act of generosity counts.
So whether you choose to give your time, your dollars, your voice, or some combination of all three, know this: you matter. Your commitment fuels our mission. Your support, however it’s expressed, makes a difference.
If you’re feeling tapped out financially, we honor that.
If you’re open to making a small gift to stretch your impact, we welcome it.
If you want to advocate for our mission, we’ll give you the tools.
Giving Tuesday is about community, and we’re incredibly grateful to count you as part of ours.
Closing Thought: It’s Not Either/Or—It’s What Works for You
You don’t have to choose between donating time and donating money. You don’t have to do both. And you certainly don’t have to justify what you’re able (or not able) to give.
All we ask is that you stay engaged, stay inspired, and stay connected.
This Giving Tuesday, we hope you’ll reflect on the impact you’re already making—and consider if there’s a way to go even further. But whether you give an hour, a dollar, or a simple share on social media, we appreciate you more than words can say.
