Volunteering is the heartbeat of community involvement, yet many nonprofits struggle with the challenge of maintaining a committed volunteer workforce. Understanding the complexities of volunteer engagement, exploration of the use of strategic and innovative leadership approaches can amplify lasting organizational impacts.

The largest decline in formal U.S. volunteer rates since 2002 occurred between 2019-2021, according to AmeriCorps and U.S. Census Bureau. A downward trend has created a serious strategic human resource management deficiency and reduced service capacities for many nonprofits. Economic downturns, like that of COVID-19, have shined a light upon the federal government’s reliance on the nonprofit sector. Given their inability to fund or facilitate all vital community support services, many nonprofits rely heavily on dedicated volunteers to carry out their mission. The importance of engaging the right volunteers also sets the tone for strategic development in mission pursuit.

One size does NOT fit all

By discarding the notion of cookie-cutter design strategies, we make room for flexible approaches that are tailor-made for success. Forming long-term volunteer relationships includes working through complex layers. It begins in identifying the volunteer base and empowering them to use their voice.

Hold a volunteer welcome session

Understanding a volunteer’s personal values and motives are crucial during the recruitment & initial engagement process. Equally important is ensuring the volunteers understand the organization’s mission and values. Initially investing time in the relationship can help eliminate misunderstandings, such as mission assumption, or dissatisfaction down the line. Assessing volunteer interest and alignment to the organization’s framework allows clear expectations to be set by both parties. Using an in-depth questionnaire, phone interview, or one-on-one assessment allows for analysis from both perspectives.

Launch a tailored, ground-up, volunteer program

Hierarchical program designs are rapidly becoming outdated, as many nonprofits are learning the importance of tailoring their programs to meet volunteer needs. Customization becomes increasingly effective when designed around the needs of both current and potential volunteers. This may involve offering autonomy, flexibility, ensuring a positive volunteering experience through recognition of impact and connections with staff or service recipients. Understanding what creates a satisfactory volunteering experience and leveraging each volunteer’s strengths can contribute to organizational success. Then, by giving volunteers opportunities to express how they wish to contribute, and how their strengths can increase effectiveness of the program.

Establish a volunteer committee

Accomplishing satisfactory volunteer experiences is the key to decreasing turnover within episodic volunteers. Empowering volunteers to build their own committee creates a social connectedness and allows them to self-advocate for their needs within the organization. Creating a platform for all volunteers to voice opinions, while serving as a buffer, allows the immediate concerns to be raised and serves as a proactive measure to improve future volunteer interactions. Leadership’s willingness to listen and act demonstrates true servant leadership standards.

Create an exclusive volunteer impact report

At the end of the day, for most nonprofits, witnessing the success of their mission largely driven by donated time is inspirational. So, why not give that same sense of satisfaction to volunteers by celebrating their contributions? In addition to grant and community impact reports, developing an internal system to acknowledge volunteers’ accomplishments can be incredibly meaningful. Highlighting something as simple as the number of calls transferred by volunteers to a specific department or naming a volunteer of the month are simple ways of expressing gratitude.

Using a volunteer-exclusive newsletter, or shared letter to the board of directors, with volunteer copies, provides a feeling of belonging. This also reinforces what an invaluable resource volunteers are to the organization and the importance of their contributions. After all, showcasing what you are proud of gives well-deserved recognition and serves as a powerful way to promote continued volunteer engagement.

As many nonprofits seek growth, community support becomes crucial, and volunteer contributions are a large part of expanding impact. Establishing a strong volunteer base, means maintaining reciprocal relationships joined by mutual alignment of one mission. Shared commitment to a cause creates a path for long-term volunteer engagement, and a greater, more sustainable, impact within the nonprofit sector.

Angela Bender is a 2023 graduate of the Masters of Nonprofit Leadership and Management program at Arizona State University and a member of the Nu Lambda Mu Nonprofit Honor Society. She serves as Program Coordinator at Duet’s Meaning & Hope Institute, focusing on advancing support for veteran family caregivers. Following her bachelor’s in Public Service & Public Policy at Arizona State University, Angela spent four years working in the legal field before transitioning into the nonprofit sector. She spends her free time volunteering, roller-skating, and seeking out new local coffee shops.

Image by Lillian Finley

Expand your volunteer program's impact by becoming an accredited Service Enterprise

The Service Enterprise Initiative is a model for excellence in volunteer engagement. This program provides training and nationally-recognized accreditation to nonprofits that are committed to implementing exemplary volunteer management practices to achieve operational efficiency and greater social impact.

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