Beyond the Benchmark: How Volunteer Impact Strengthens Community-Powered Fundraising

RKD Group’s 2025 Food Bank Benchmark delivers critical insight into the state of food bank fundraising, with data from 83 food banks across the U.S. Amidst a challenging fundraising environment, RKD’s analysis reveals both cautionary trends and new opportunities for growth.
Three key findings stand out:

• New donor acquisition dropped below 2019 levels, accounting for only 10% of revenue.
• Donor value hit a new high of $409, up 5% year-over-year, thanks to increased average gift and gift frequency.
• Core donors—responsible for 70% of gross revenue—remain a reliable and growing source of stability.

In light of these findings, RKD emphasizes a “recapture-first” mindset and deeper investments in donor retention and engagement. But there’s another group worth spotlighting in this conversation: volunteers.

Volunteers as a Force Multiplier

Volunteers are more than hands-on helpers — they’re mission-aligned, emotionally invested, and often overlooked in donor strategy. By identifying supporters who volunteer and tailoring outreach, organizations can tap into a pre-qualified segment that’s already primed to give.

RKD’s benchmark shows that recaptured donors drove a 12% lift in engagement and an 11% increase in revenue, proving the value of warm audiences. Volunteers fit that mold — and could represent the next wave of high-value, high-retention donors if properly stewarded.

What the Data Could Reveal

Imagine if future benchmarks tracked volunteer-giving crossover. Could a 10% lift in volunteer engagement lead to higher retention, or increased average gift size? Could SMS thank-yous and recognition campaigns nudge volunteers toward becoming sustaining donors?

As RKD notes, food banks that leaned into monthly giving, texting, and seasonal campaigns in 2024 saw strong performance. Volunteers — when nurtured through similar tactics — could be another lever for growth.

Turning Insight into Action

This is where partnership drives real impact. Pair RKD’s data-driven strategy with platforms that support volunteer onboarding, communication, and engagement, and food banks can build programs that don’t just manage volunteers — they activate them.

Tactics like:

• “You’ve given your time — now double your impact” appeals
• Recognition-based campaigns
• Segmented donor journeys for volunteers can all help turn insight into action — and action into revenue.

The Path Forward

RKD’s benchmark is more than a report — it’s a roadmap. One that encourages food banks to strengthen both donor relationships and community engagement strategies. Volunteers should be part of that roadmap.

By evolving benchmarks to include volunteer impact and creating strategies that connect these supporters to giving, the sector can unlock new pathways to stability and growth.
RKD Group has laid the foundation. Now, the opportunity is to build on it — together.

Who are RKD Group?

RKD Group is a leading fundraising and marketing solutions provider based in Plano, Texas. Founded in 1970, the company specializes in serving nonprofit organizations across North America, including hospitals, social services, health and disease research, animal welfare, and faith-based charities .