Volunteers see your programs from the inside out, and their perspective is invaluable. By addressing these issues early, you create a more positive and supportive environment that encourages long-term commitment. Nonprofits, NGOs, event organizers, and local community groups all use them in different ways.

Volunteer Recruitment: How to Get the Volunteers You Need

5 ways to recruit more volunteers for your nonprofit

Prepare everything the volunteers will need to successfully execute their roles. Although altruism is definitely a motive for many who choose to volunteer, communicating clear benefits is a very powerful way to attract the right volunteers for your nonprofit. People might have many assumptions about your organization, some of which might not be true. To counter this, always clearly describe the population you’re serving, what you’re looking for in volunteers and what’s expected of them. Here you might determine the numbers and different types of volunteers you need. Typically, volunteers need to feel a connection or passion for the cause.

Create role descriptions

For recurring volunteer needs, nonprofits can streamline the application process for those who want to sign up regularly with the help of volunteer software. A returning volunteer shouldn’t have to refill the same information every time. Tailoring outreach efforts to specific audience demographics amplifies engagement rates. For instance, younger individuals might resonate with TikTok videos or Instagram Stories, while retirees might prefer traditional newsletters or community newspaper ads.

Host Recruitment Events

But since volunteering rates are dropping, it’s more essential than ever to prioritize volunteer recruitment and provide meaningful experiences for volunteers. Another way nonprofits can partner with schools is by offering programs for student volunteers who need to increase volunteer hours for their college applications. The nonprofit can recruit a new group of volunteers who are motivated to volunteer and the students gain valuable volunteer experience to help them stand out in the college application process. This type of partnership allows students to fulfill their college application requirements while also contributing to the community and supporting a cause they care about.

Volunteer onboarding

In this guide, we’ll focus on the actual activities to get more volunteers and how you can meet your goals. Recruiting volunteers isn’t rocket science but it does involve effort and good decision making from your organization to be successful. One of the most frequent questions we hear from leaders of volunteers is how to decline a volunteer professionally and with kindness and we are… Pick a day or month to encourage your volunteers to bring a friend or colleague to volunteer. Offer incentives for doing so, such as a coffee shop gift card that volunteers can use after participating in your event. Loyal, passionate volunteers who understand the ins and outs of your cause often make the best recruiters.

  • For recurring volunteer needs, nonprofits can streamline the application process for those who want to sign up regularly with the help of volunteer software.
  • By keeping detailed records of volunteer hours, roles, and feedback, organisations can ensure that volunteers are engaged, content and motivated to continue volunteering.
  • In order to recruit the best volunteers, you’ll need to freshen up your strategies for attracting them to your program and encouraging them to sign up.
  • Social media is an incredible tool for reaching new audiences and engaging supporters.

Double the Donation’s employee volunteer incentive program guide explains that many companies will promote specific volunteer opportunities to their employees. By working with these companies, you can ensure your organization’s open volunteer positions are the ones being promoted. Your current supporters are your most valuable asset for onboarding new volunteers. Offer your most dedicated supporters leadership opportunities and boost your recruitment efforts by forming a volunteer ambassador program. With careful consideration, you can 5 ways to recruit more volunteers for your nonprofit ensure that the right people are assigned to the proper positions at the right time. One of the best ways to treat your existing volunteers fairly is by mindfully recruiting new volunteers who share the same passion for your mission as they do.

The Ultimate Guide To Volunteer Recruitment: 15+ Strategies

Additionally, it’s important to provide support and follow-up training, such as one-on-one coaching or mentoring to help volunteers apply what they have learnt in training, to their role. When writing the job description it is important to consider the organisation’s overall mission and goals. The job description should align with the organisation’s objectives and explain how the volunteer’s role will contribute to achieving these goals. This will help attract individuals who are passionate about the organisation’s mission and are more likely to be engaged and committed volunteers. The document should also specify the qualifications and skills required for the position. This will help attract volunteers who have the necessary skills and experience to effectively carry out the role.

It’s essential to keep up with your past volunteers, offer ongoing support and appreciation to them, and work on keeping them connected and engaged. Leveraging your volunteer alums and current volunteers can expand your base, strengthen your connections within the community, and enhance your organization’s overall impact. Nonprofit Tech for Good offers three low-cost certificate programs for nonprofit professionals. The curriculum covers digital marketing, online fundraising, social media, and artificial intelligence (AI).

It’s about finding the right ones who share the passion for what the organisation is working to achieve. But did you know that your organization could potentially access thousands of dollars worth of online advertising for free? The Google Ad Grant program offers eligible nonprofits $10,000 in credits per month.

  • A returning volunteer shouldn’t have to refill the same information every time.
  • Recruiting volunteers doesn’t usually require creating a lot of new material.
  • These recurring themes in qualitative responses point to what’s working and what needs attention.
  • On top of that, today’s volunteers expect a positive, streamlined onboarding experience—slow communication or cumbersome sign-up processes can turn them away.

If you have existing local business partners, consider exploring their corporate volunteer programs, then market your volunteer opportunities to their employees. Capitalize on every marketing channel at your disposal to ensure every volunteer shift is filled. If you want your social media followers to know about your volunteer opportunities, you need to talk about them. Try sharing blog posts about a recent volunteer opportunity, sharing photos of your volunteers, or giving star volunteers a social media shout out.

Volunteer management software allows you to make the most of your volunteer recruitment resources, saving you critical time, energy, and money. Your nonprofit wouldn’t be able to make an impact without its volunteers. Many organizations choose a pay-per-click (PPC) option, which means you only pay for your ad when people click on it.

To create a volunteer recruitment plan, start by defining your volunteer needs and identifying your target audience. Set clear goals and metrics for your recruitment efforts, and regularly track and adjust your strategy as needed. Consider asking your existing active volunteers to invite their friends and family to volunteer with them. You can simply ask them to share your social media post to promote your volunteer opportunities with their network. A volunteer recruitment plan is a process of attracting and recruiting new volunteers that have the skills and interests that align with the core needs of a nonprofit organization’s operations and goals. An optimal volunteer recruitment plan should define the volunteer staffing requirements for a particular program, initiative, or event.

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