Here's my list of reasons why charities with strong fundraising departments shouldn't undervalue their volunteers:

1.   Donors and volunteers are frequently the same people.

3.   Volunteering can include development activities (soliciting donations, thank-a-thons).

4.   Money may follow volunteers: matching funds from employers and from family and friends who want to support a volunteer's special interest.[i]

5.   The highest rates of volunteering are young Canadians, higher education and household income, and the religiously active.[ii]

6.   Giving and volunteering have strong linkages, such that participation in one is associated with participation in others.[iii]

7.   The top 25% of donors ($364 a year +) who volunteered contributed 59% of total donations and 40% of total volunteer hours.[iv]

8.   Volunteers who also donate contribute more hours and more dollars.[v]

9.   Americans who volunteer donate 10 times more money than those who don’t.[vi]

10. Volunteers know you. They’ve already given their time. With a volunteer, there's no need to "make the case".[vii]

11. Volunteers understand you. They see the work, and donations would impact their work tool.[viii]

12. Volunteers can tell your story in a way staff can’t. They have personal stories to share about why they feel connected to you.[ix]

13. A recent study reports that 67% of Americans who volunteered in the past year say they donate to the same organizations where they volunteer.[x]

14.  Donors lose interest over time, but being asked to share their time and talent revitalizes their commitment even if they do not accept.[xii] 

15.  Insights:
     a.   young people build loyalty through volunteering, then give
     b.   retired persons on fixed income volunteer, then give via estate planning[xi]