Fundraise or Donate Why Corporate Donations Have Greater Impact Than Volunteering

At Step by Step, we believe that corporate donors are heroes in the mission to end youth homelessness. Your support powers specialist services, helps young people build independence, and provides safety and stability to those who need it most.

Why Businesses Want to Make a Difference

Businesses like yours are purpose-driven. Whether you're a local SME looking to support your community or a national organisation embedding impact into your brand, CSR is more than a tick-box exercise.

Corporate supporters want to:

• Give back meaningfully
• Inspire staff and customers
• Support causes that align with their values
• Demonstrate leadership and integrity

Volunteering often feels like the obvious route - it’s hands-on, visible, and boosts morale. But when it comes to helping vulnerable young people, volunteering isn't always the most effective or scalable option.

The Case for Volunteering – But Also It's Limits

Volunteering plays a valuable role. It helps staff connect with a cause, builds team spirit, and provides a visible touchpoint for your brand.

However, there are important limitations:

• Skill mismatch: Youth homelessness services require trained professionals -not all volunteer groups are equipped to support vulnerable individuals safely.
• Operational disruption: Coordinating volunteer days takes staff time and planning, often without adding core value to service delivery.
• Limited reach: Volunteering is time-bound - one day per year doesn’t create lasting change.

At Step by Step, safeguarding and consistency are critical. Our services involve mental health counselling, specialist accommodation, and support for separated children. These are areas where professional expertise and sustained funding matter most.

Why Donations Go Further

Financial donations allow us to plan, scale and sustain our impact. Unlike one-off volunteer events, funding gives us the flexibility to respond where the need is greatest.

Here’s what your donation can do:

• £500 could fund a rent deposit for a new home
• £9,600 could fund a room in supported accommodation for a year
• £17,000 could pay for a young person to live in a Supported Accommodation Flat for six months

Donations allow us to:

• Hire and retain qualified Support Workers and Counsellors
• Provide safe, 24/7 supported accommodation
• Offer tailored, specialist support based on individual need
• Invest in young people's education and employment opportunities

Every pound goes toward tangible outcomes that change lives. In fact, a recent Social Return on Investment study found that every £1 invested in our services generates £6.80 of social impact.

Be the Hero: Invest in Real Change

Your company has the power to Be the Hero for a young person facing homelessness. Donations create measurable, long-term change that volunteering alone cannot match.

We're not asking you to step back - we're inviting you to step up.

Work with us to create a tailored partnership that aligns with your CSR goals, engages your team, and delivers meaningful social return.

Ready to make your impact?

Together, we can take a stand against youth homelessness.

Contact our Corporate Partnerships team today to explore bespoke giving opportunities.