b'DAYTODAYFINDING FUNDSRoy Jones, CFREYour Most Loyal Supporters Increase giving through volunteer programsN ever underestimate the power of volun- Tears rolled down their cheeks. They wept teering. Volunteers can be your greatestaloud and could only say that they didnt know donors! Their time, passion, and dedica- anyone knew. I thanked them again as their tears tion translate into immense value and communitycontinued to flow, assuring them of the many impact. Recognize and celebrate their contribu- lives that have been transformed over nearly tions regularly to retain their support and inspirethree decades because of their sacrificial giving. others to join your mission. Volunteers are theThere is joy in givingand in finding the heart and soul of your cause.heart of your supporters. Over the past 20 years, I have conducted over 2,000 donor meetings, as well as more than 250 donor file audits for organizations of all shapes and sizes. In the midst of the countless variables and changes I have observed over those years, one thing is certain: Donors who volunteer view their role as being partners in ministry. They are not just people who give like an ATM machine when we push the button.When donors volunteer, it reinforces the fact that their relationship with your nonprofit is about more than just money. Volunteers get to see from the inside out key factors that those I recently joined one of our clients in a meetingwho simply donate funds do not see. They expe-with a precious family who had been volunteeringrience the impact of the work firsthand. They with the mission for more than a decade. I askedwitness the transparency and integrity that this family if they knew how many consecutivegovern your operation.years theyd been volunteering and giving. TheyYour donors want to be involved. They want said no. I told them, Seventeen years. Thankto see and hear the stories from the front lines of Roy Jones, CFRE, has workedyou. You are so special to us! I paused to let theyour work. They want to see lives transformed with more than 70 missions, shel gravity of the number of years sink in and thenand hear stories of how your work is making that ters, and food banks. He offers Citygate Network members twoasked another question. Do you know how manypossiblehow what you do impacts individuals free hours of training annually. Intimes you have sent a gift to help the poorest ofand families, enables children to return to school, 2023, he volunteered more thanthe poor? Again, they said no. I replied, Twoempowers parents to work again, and contributes 200 hours serving Citygate Network members with major giving,hundred and twenty-seven gifts. You are trulyto the success of their communities. marketing, and direct responseheroes to our mission. You have changed so manyEncourage your donors to volunteer. And yes, fundraising support. You can reachlives forever. Thank you!ask your volunteers to give. \x03 Roy at rjones@fitfundraising.com.56 WWW.CITYGATENETWORK.ORG JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2025'