A recent review carried out by the Cranfield Trust of volunteering revealed that MBAs and post-graduate qualified managers continue to lead in executive volunteering in terms of the time and high level management expertise they freely give to UK charities.

The research also showed that during 2007 the trust’s own register of 650 MBA and post-graduate volunteers provided management support worth more than £1.6m to the voluntary sector. 

The Cranfield Trust provides free management consultancy support to non-profit organisations.  Many of the charities the trust works with are local community groups providing support services to children and adults affected by disability, poverty and social exclusion.

“We ask for the time and talent of our volunteers, and time and again charities feedback to us that they become more deeply involved and their support of the voluntary sector develops in other ways, often financially or as trustees,” explained Tina Baker of the Cranfield Trust.

Many of the volunteers canvassed by Cranfield found it personally rewarding to help non-profit organisations grow, and to discover that their skills directly contributed to benefiting a large number of vulnerable people in need of support.

“Their understanding of the voluntary sector grows, and we find that volunteers who work with charities closer to home often become more connected to their community and involved with committed giving. It is definitely a route for them to develop their interest in philanthropy.”

To find out more about the work of the Cranfield Trust and opportunities to volunteer through the charity please visit the website.