Not all philanthropists are rich. Some make a difference using only their time, and that can time can add up.
The estimated value of volunteer time in 2005 was $18.04 per hour, according to the most current research by Independent Sector based on data from the Bureauof Labor Statistics.
But some might argue that this estimate is low, especially considering the caliber of the modern volunteer.
“People are getting more sophisticated and savvy about what they can do; it?s more than just serving food and painting the school,” said Kelly Hodge-Williams, executive director of Business Volunteers Unlimited. BVU works to increase corporate volunteerism through pairing business professionals with nonprofits.
“Volunteers are starting to offer help in a different way,” Hodge-Williams said. “The younger people that we are seeing are demanding professional development opportunities to use their skills and learn new ones.”
Through their connections with nonprofit organizations, volunteers become more apt to donate cash to those organizations, she added.
“It?s a no-brainer ? the organization needs their help and they get hooked and they like what they are doing,” said Hodge-Williams of this emerging trend. “The younger generation needs to have some kind of connection before they give.”
Another option for non-cash philanthropy includes pro bono services, a route often taken by those in the legal field.
“Most of the big firms now have pro bono coordinators to encourage attorneys to do free work, which is fairly new,” said Kristine Dunkerton, executive director of the Community Law Center, which provides legal services to Baltimore area nonprofits with the help of more than 200 pro bono attorneys.
“We have a lot of attorneys who will take a case because they care about the mission, and it?s not unusual for attorneys to have an ongoing relationships [with the nonprofit],” Dunkerton said.
She noted, however, that only a small percentage of her lawyer affiliates become donors to the center.
For the attorney, volunteering services is a positive experience that might even count towards their firm?s quotafor annual billable hours, depending on the firm.
“It?s probably the most rewarding thing I?ve done in my career,” said Ronald Jackson, a federal government employee who recently earned his law degree and provides service to the Community Law Center.
“There are a lot of good people out in Baltimore City that you don?t hear about and this way I get the opportunity to see how law is applied and how you can make a difference just with the knowledge you possess,” he said.
