Volunteers: The Heart of Your Nonprofit's Mission

In recognition of Volunteer Month, we honor those who selflessly give their time, talents, and often share their treasure.

Volunteers are essential partners who advance your organization’s mission. Working with volunteers and maximizing their impact toward your mission should be haphazard. Consider these best practices in volunteer management when building and improving your volunteer program.

Honoring a volunteer’s gift of time.

Each volunteer, no matter the task, donates their most valuable commodity—time.

Instead of spending time with family, board members gather around tables to shape your organization's future and guard its reputation. Rather than pursuing their hobbies, retired professionals help prepare envelopes for direct mail appeals. These examples are just two of the many ways volunteers contribute to nonprofit organizations every day.

Once spent, time is gone forever. There’s no investment to earn it back with interest; no side hustle to supplement it.

Matching a volunteer’s interests to the organization’s needs.

Build relationships and rapport with your volunteers. Get to know them before they begin working for your organization.

• What draws them to your organization in particular?

• Which aspects of your mission resonate most?

• What particular skills do they offer?

People volunteer for many reasons. Some want to share expertise, while others want to develop skills. It’s safe to say all want to make a difference in the world! Understanding these motivations is crucial.

Keeping your volunteers satisfied.

Volunteers typically leave an organization for one or more of four reasons:

1. They feel undervalued.

2. They believe the tasks they are assigned are meaningless.

3. Their skills and interests do not match the assigned tasks.

4. They feel their volunteer experience is a waste of time.

Successful volunteer relationships are reciprocal. The right volunteer relationship aligns your volunteers' personal goals to your organization’s goals.

Recognizing your volunteers

Recognize your volunteers’ contributions through personalized acknowledgments in the way that resonates with them best.

• Do they want a simple thank you?

• Can you recognize their service in a newsletter?

• Would they appreciate being recognized publicly at an event?

Steward your volunteers in the same ways and with the same gratitude that you give your donors.

Giving volunteers a clear plan

Maximize your volunteers’ time and through a clear engagement plan.

Different roles require different approaches—board members may need comprehensive job descriptions, while volunteers at events may require hands-on guidance. Establishing these guidelines before engaging volunteers will help prevent misunderstandings about commitments and responsibilities.

Having a clear plan allows you to properly prepare for each volunteer’s arrival, ensuring no time is wasted.

Starting off volunteers for success

As a key part of your team, your volunteers deserve respect and professional training. Begin with a thoughtful orientation covering your organization’s mission, vision, and values. Equip volunteers with the necessary training and resources, such as brochures, strategic documents, FAQ sheets, and other materials necessary for their assigned task.

Help your volunteers understand how their work fits into the bigger picture and why their tasks matter. This context creates deeper satisfaction in their service.

Ways to strengthen your volunteers’ experiences with your organization:

• Establishing clear responsibilities for volunteers and staff

• Setting achievable goals

• Seeking feedback and including volunteers in appropriate discussions

• Giving the volunteer a clear picture of the organization’s “big picture”

• Providing formal volunteer agreements to set roles and demonstrate commitment

Equipping your volunteers as advocates

As fundraising professionals, we understand that successful development hinges on relationships.

Volunteers speak about your organization with authenticity and passion, attracting like-minded supporters and creating powerful connections.

When volunteers talk about your organization with their family, friends, and colleagues, their message carries unique credibility. Equip them with the knowledge and information they need to be effective advocates.

Building lasting volunteer partnerships through mutual respect.

At its heart, a successful volunteer program builds meaningful relationships around a shared goal: advancing your mission and making a difference.

You will create an environment where volunteers feel valued by respecting their motivations, providing proper training, engaging them in meaningful work, and showing them genuine appreciation.

When properly supported, your volunteers become the heart of your organization. They are authentic and powerful ambassadors for your cause.