Getting volunteers and donated items for your project
In this guide, you'll learn how to request volunteers and donated items for your project through Spacehive's built-in feature. This can help you access skills and resources beyond just financial pledges.
What is the volunteers and donations feature?
Many projects need more than just money to succeed. You might need someone with marketing skills, tools for your community garden, or help painting a space.
Spacehive's volunteers and donations feature lets you publicly list these needs on your project page.
When you add volunteer requests or item donations to your project, they appear as a visible list that anyone can see and respond to. This helps you tap into your community's skills and resources.
How it works
Creating your requests
You can add two types of requests to your project:
Volunteer requests - for skills and help you need. Examples include:
Marketing expertise
Help with writing a business plan
Painting or decorating
Running classes or workshops
Administrative support
Photography
Item donations - for equipment and materials. Examples include:
Tools for a community garden
Sports equipment
Art supplies
Furniture
IT equipment
Public visibility
Your requests appear as a tab on your crowdfunding page where potential supporters can see them. This means everyone who visits your project can see what additional help you need.
Getting responses
When someone wants to offer their skills or donate an item:
They contact you through the platform
You receive a notification about their offer
You can choose to accept or decline their offer
How to add volunteer and donation requests
Step 1: Access your project dashboard
Log in to your Spacehive account
Go to your project dashboard
Find the 'Volunteers' section
Step 2: Add volunteer or item requests
Click 'Create a volunteer list'
Write a short description of the skills or items required
Include any specific requirements (time commitment, experience level)
Add each request separately for clarity
Step 3: Review and publish
Check all your requests are clear and specific
Make sure you've broken down larger needs into individual requests
Publish your requests to make them visible on your project page
Best practices
Writing effective volunteer requests
Be specific about skills needed - "Marketing expertise for social media campaigns" rather than just "marketing help"
Include time commitment - let people know if you need a few hours or ongoing support
Explain the impact - tell volunteers how their help will make a difference
Set clear expectations - be honest about what's involved
Writing effective donation requests
List exact items - "10 spades and 5 wheelbarrows" rather than "gardening tools"
Include specifications - size, colour, or technical requirements if relevant
Explain the purpose - how the donated items will be used
Be realistic - don't ask for expensive items unless genuinely needed
Managing your requests
Keep your list updated - remove requests when they're fulfilled
Respond quickly - get back to volunteers and donors promptly
Be organised - keep track of who's offered what
Say thank you - acknowledge all offers, even ones you can't accept
Managing responses
When someone offers to help
You'll receive notifications when people respond to your requests. Here's how to handle them:
Review the offer carefully - make sure it matches what you need
Check their background - look at their profile and experience
Ask questions - clarify any details about their availability or the item they're offering
Make a decision - accept offers that fit your needs
Communicate clearly - let people know your decision and next steps
Accepting offers
When you accept an offer:
Thank the person for their support
Arrange next steps (meeting times, item collection, etc.)
Keep records of what's been agreed
Update your project team about new volunteers
Declining offers
Sometimes you might need to decline offers:
Be polite and grateful
Explain why it's not suitable if appropriate
Suggest alternatives if possible
Thank them for their interest in your project
Tips for success
Getting more responses
Share your project widely - the more people who see it, the more potential volunteers and donors
Be active on social media - highlight specific requests you really need
Engage with your community - talk to local groups about your volunteer needs
Keep requests visible - don't hide them away at the bottom of your project page
Working with volunteers
Set clear boundaries - be specific about what help you need and when
Provide proper briefing - make sure volunteers understand the project
Show appreciation - recognise volunteers' contributions publicly
Keep them informed - update volunteers on project progress
Managing donated items
Arrange collection promptly - don't leave donors waiting
Check condition - make sure donated items are suitable for use
Acknowledge donations - thank donors publicly where appropriate
Use items visibly - show how donated items are being used in your project
Common questions
Can I edit my requests after publishing? Yes, you can update or remove requests at any time through your project dashboard.
What if I get too many offers? This is a good problem to have! Accept the offers that work best for your project and politely decline others.
Do I have to pay for volunteer time or donated items? No, these are genuine offers of help. However, you might want to cover volunteers' expenses or provide refreshments.
Can I add requests after my crowdfunding campaign starts? Yes, you can add new requests at any time during your campaign.
What if someone doesn't follow through on their offer? Have backup plans and don't rely entirely on volunteer offers for critical project elements.
Remember
The volunteers and donations feature is a powerful way to build community support for your project. By clearly explaining what you need and managing offers professionally, you can access skills and resources that make your project even more successful.
Your project is about bringing people together to create positive change - the volunteers and donors who support you are part of that community impact.