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At DNL OmniMedia, we specialize in nonprofit tech strategy consulting, so we’ve worked with quite a few nonprofits to develop plans around specific goals such as boosting volunteer engagement. Check out the following reliable strategies for increasing volunteer sign-ups:

1. Solidify your mission statement.
2. Keep an updated website.
3. Manage volunteer data with a strong CRM solution.
4. Use technology tools to motivate volunteers. 

Read on to learn how to use the above strategies to increase volunteer engagement.

1. Solidify your mission statement. 

There’s one thing that’s absolutely essential to bring volunteers to your organization– a strong mission statement.

Your mission statement encompasses your “why,” as in why you’re dedicated to your cause and why you’re giving your time and efforts toward it. It can be easy to develop your mission statement when your nonprofit is born but then take it for granted going forward. Instead, you should think of your mission statement as a kind of living document to guide your work.

You should be actively using this statement to attract new supporters. When a supporter connects personally with your mission statement, you’ve made the strongest, most direct connection you can possibly make with that individual. 

These supporters become volunteers. You should focus some energy on crafting the best mission statement possible to help build these relationships.

2. Keep an updated website. 

Your website functions as your nonprofit’s home on the internet, and it’s most likely where you’re going to direct potential volunteers to find opportunities. Therefore, it’s absolutely vital you keep this information up-to-date and easily accessible. 

Regardless of whether you’re a tech expert or a total newcomer, keeping your website updated can be a manageable (and even budget-friendly) task. There are a few features you’ll want to make sure to include:

• An easily-read calendar widget for quick viewing of upcoming opportunities
• Uncomplicated volunteer registration processes for events, embedded directly within the site
• A call-to-action button to gather contact information from interested potential volunteers
• Links to your nonprofit’s social media profiles, so volunteers can stay in the loop

If your website could use an upgrade to better target volunteer audiences, check out this guide to nonprofit website design for an idea of how to get started.

3. Manage volunteer data with a strong CRM solution. 

You could have the strongest volunteer force imaginable and it still wouldn’t be effective if you didn’t have a comprehensive CRM (Customer Relationship Management) solution to manage and gather data from these interactions. 

Your CRM software hosts all of the data you gather on donors, volunteers, and any other supporters. With this data, you’ll be able to:

• Maintain volunteer profiles, tracking information such as engagement history and contact info
• Identify which fundraiser campaigns have been most engaging for your volunteers and implement similar ideas in future endeavors
• Identify which volunteers are most likely to convert to donors down the line and contact them accordingly
• Recognize the preferred contact methods for segments of your volunteer force and reach out with new opportunities appropriately

Setting up your organization’s technology solutions can be a difficult undertaking, especially if you’re a larger organization working with particularly robust solutions. 

Bringing on a nonprofit technology consultant is usually the best bet to mitigate risk, whether you’re developing a quick website or needing customized Blackbaud consultation services.

4. Use volunteer grant tools to motivate donors.

You’ll motivate donors using your mission statement, navigable website and engaging events. However, there may not be anything more engaging to a volunteer than the knowledge that they may be able to double their impact on your nonprofit.

This is made possible through volunteer grant programs, typically part of broader corporate social responsibility practices at businesses. The process is simple: an eligible employee volunteers at your nonprofit, they submit proof of time volunteered to their employer, their employer verifies this time with your organization, and then this employer sends a financial gift to your organization matching the time given.

The biggest obstacle in obtaining a volunteer grant is that volunteers are rarely actually aware of these opportunities. Therefore, by providing supporters with education surrounding the practice and directing them to an online volunteer grants database, your supporters are able to determine their eligibility and begin the process. 

For more information on these programs, check out Double the Donation’s guide to volunteer grant basics. 

Let’s recap.

Volunteers are essential for any nonprofit to function, but it can be difficult to motivate supporters to actually give their time!

By crafting solid messaging, keeping volunteers updated on upcoming activities, managing your volunteer data, and utilizing corporate social responsibility tools, you’ll be sure to motivate volunteers to sign up for future initiatives.

The post 4 Strategies to Increase Volunteer Sign-Up appeared first on Nonprofit Hub.

Set goals

Ask your volunteers to perform purposeful tasks and help them visualize their impact through goal-setting. One of the main reasons volunteers may be unlikely to return to an organization is if they feel like their presence wasn’t necessary or worthwhile, so avoid assigning “busywork” at all costs.

With measurable, attainable goals—both long-term and short-term—your volunteers will feel the difference they’re making firsthand. Short-term goals will motivate volunteers during each individual session (for example, we want to feed X-many people today).

Long-term goals will keep volunteers emotionally invested in the results of your mission over an extended period of time. In other words, they’ll keep coming back for more. You’ll be able to form relationships with recurring volunteers and build a tribe of long-term supporters who provide consistent support and believe in your cause.

Make sure you’re documenting your goals, too. It’s important to know whether you met, exceeded or fell short of your goals in order to properly evaluate your volunteer program.

Make it fun

Volunteers volunteer because they want to do something for the greater good. But if your goal is to keep them around, you need to make it an all-around fun and engaging experience. Make sure whoever you’ve assigned to coordinate your volunteers is helpful and positive. No one should never feel like they’re waiting around for something to do.

Also, even the smallest of perks can go a long way. With their registration, give volunteers a shirt, a free meal, a drink ticket or anything else related to your event that might brighten their day. These extras, though seemingly unimportant in the grand scheme of things, will make your organization stand out among the rest.

Get a good database

Donors aren’t the only supporters you should be keeping track of. Volunteers have a huge impact on your organization, so it’s important to be organized when managing them. Use an old-school spreadsheet if you must, but a database will do much of the managing for you. With it, you’ll be able to target your communication to certain groups when sending event reminders, sign-up links, etc. It will also make it easier to eventually convert those volunteers into donors. Plus, having a streamlined database system like this means less time manually entering information and more time building real relationships with your supporters.

Follow up

Your volunteers should hear from you immediately after each time they help your organization. This is for a number of reasons, but primarily to thank them. They’re donating their time and talents to your cause out of the goodness of their hearts, so make sure they’re aware of how amazing they are for doing so.

Also in your follow-up, provide a rundown that gives information about upcoming volunteer opportunities, complete with registration links. And, at the end, always offer a feedback survey to gain insight about your volunteers’ experience and learn which areas you can improve going forward.

Volunteers can be an invaluable addition to any organization. Whether they comprise your entire staff or are only needed at the occasional fundraising event, creating a sustainable program for them will make the job easier for everyone.

The post How to Create a Sustainable Volunteer Program appeared first on Nonprofit Hub.

Be transparent from the start

This should go without saying, but spelling out guidelines and expectations right away is crucial with volunteers. A lot of times, volunteers think because they aren’t receiving compensation that they can put in whatever effort they want to a project or event. That’s a dangerous mindset to have, and if you let volunteers maintain that way of thinking, it will only become harder to hold them accountable. Tell them when they need to arrive at an event, who they should report to and what they should accomplish before leaving. Be available to answer any questions should they arise.

If volunteers need to be trained before they start, make sure you have the capacity to do so. All too often organizations decide to take on more volunteers than they can manage, and some of them become dead weight. Know your limits and abilities, and gauge your volunteer strategy around it.

Don’t be afraid to give them the boot

If a volunteer isn’t ultimately benefiting your organization, let them go. It’s as simple as that. Not only will it make your nonprofit leaner, but it will show other volunteers that you mean business. To be clear, you shouldn’t be the volunteer manager who instills fear in every potential volunteer—that’d be very counterproductive. Let them know if they’re underperforming, and tell them why. If they refuse or are unable to change their behavior, it might be time to find someone new.

Show your volunteers that you take your job and your nonprofit seriously, and they’ll match your passion in the work they do.

Positive reinforcement

Just as you should let a volunteer know if they’re not meeting expectations, you need to provide positive feedback to those who are meeting or even exceeding them. Recognize them among your other volunteers, or, if you’re able, host a banquet that celebrates the great things your volunteers are doing.

If you have a hierarchical volunteer structure, make sure you’re promoting those who are going above and beyond. They’re the ones who want to propel your organization forward, and, chances are, they’re going to be around for a while.

There’s no perfect way to interact with your volunteers—we utilize them in hundreds of different ways. But if you maintain transparency from the get-go, let them know if they’re not meeting meeting expectations and reward them when they are, you’ll find yourself with a much more accountable set of volunteers.

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1. Educate yourself

First things first: you should have a firm grasp of your volunteer organization’s mission and goals before you start. If you have plenty of background information about the nonprofit you’re serving, you’ll be able to spend more time volunteering and less time asking, “Where do I go?” and “What do I do?” The directors will also be thrilled to see you’ve taken time to research the organization they work so hard to run. In general, if you educate yourself on the nonprofit before you begin volunteering, you will be able to better serve the community and appear more professional.

2. Attitude is everything

It’s always crucial to arrive at the volunteer site with a smile on your face. The more positive your attitude, the more you’ll get out of the experience. Other volunteers, directors and the people you’re serving will notice your bubbly demeanor and be inspired to act the same—it’s contagious! And let’s be honest: sometimes the volunteer work isn’t exactly what you want to be doing. Volunteering can be mentally or physically taxing at times, but don’t let any of that get you down. Think about the positive effect you’re creating in your community and the people who need your help. Let that be the fuel to get you through the day, and be sure to motivate other volunteers to keep that same mindset, too!

3. Accept differences

No matter where you volunteer, one thing’s for sure: you’ll be working with a diverse group of people. That’s one of the best parts of volunteering, though, right? Exposing yourself to a variety of social classes, races and ages can yield great long-term rewards and allow you to see the world through a different lens. Learn the stories of the people you’re helping and see them as more than just a recipient of your services. Be tolerant, accepting and understanding. Volunteering is powerful because it can shatter barriers between people who would normally never interact. Make sure you go in with an open mind so you’re able to experience this sensation firsthand. You won’t regret it.

4. Make connections

Building relationships with both the organization’s directors and the people you serve is so important. These people can become lifelong friends and important connections, so treat them well! Whether it’s a one-time event or you’ve been volunteering at the same place for years, be sure to leave everyone you meet with a good impression. Ask if there’s anything else you can do to further serve the community and stay in touch with the volunteer coordinators after you’re finished. Creating strong relationships while volunteering will make your experience more worthwhile and fun.

Next time you volunteer, be sure to arrive with plenty of information, stay positive, welcome any differences you encounter and form connections with the people you serve. Follow these steps, and you’ll be sure to maximize your volunteer experience!

The post 4 Easy Ways to Become a Better Volunteer appeared first on Nonprofit Hub.

Most nonprofits interact with volunteers at least a few times a year, whether that’s recruiting dozens for a big fundraiser, or just one to help out with your day-to-day duties. Volunteers come to you with the desire to help out (for free!) and that’s a pretty cool thing that shouldn’t be taken for granted. Though you should try to recognize them year-round, here are four ways you can thank your volunteers this month specifically.

Talk to them!

Don’t treat volunteers only as tools to help you execute your mission—treat them like an extension of your staff. Get to know the people who are giving up their time to be with you. Ask them about why they believe in your mission and try to form a real, human connection. Asking for feedback is another great way to show them that you respect their opinion. Send out a survey that poses questions of what they like about volunteering with you, what they think could change and what keeps them coming back.

Highlight their achievements

Show off your awesome volunteers! Spotlight a group or individual on social media, on your website or in your newsletters. Show the world the cool things they’re doing and how they’re acting out your mission. Donors will see that you’re making real moves to cause change in your community, and volunteers will get excited about their 15 minutes of fame. A great public display of affection for your volunteers is a win-win for everyone.

Give them a gift

When volunteers give you their time, that’s time they’re taking away from their jobs, personal lives and families. While it’s really great that they’re choosing to spend their free time with you, it wouldn’t hurt to remind them that you appreciate their decision to do so. Give them tickets to a show they can go to with their partner, or a gift card to a restaurant their family will love. If money is tight, give them a handwritten thank you letter or an extra day off to catch up on work.

Remember things about them

Keep a calendar of volunteers’ birthdays and send them a card to let you know you’re thinking about them. Take note of the skills they presented on their resumes and then remember those when assigning them to tasks. If you have a kickass graphic designer volunteering to be part of your team, don’t assign them a door-to-door fundraising job. Letting them utilize their skills will show that you genuinely recognize their talents (it will make them feel good, too!).

For more ideas on volunteer recognition, recruitment and retainment, check out our Volunteer Management 101 course at Nonprofit Hub University. Volunteers are essential for nonprofits, especially in their beginning stages. But no matter what stage of the volunteer management process you’re in, we’re here to help answer some of the questions you may have.

The post 4 Ways to Recognize Volunteers for National Volunteer Month appeared first on Nonprofit Hub.

Here are three practices you should implement to save your organization money.

1. Renegotiate necessities

Everything is negotiable, and many places offer discounts to nonprofit organizations. As you shop around, always ask if a company is able to donate or willing to lower the cost of their products. Even on services like insurance, phone and internet contracts—which may seem unchangeable—you can probably negotiate a better rate.

When you approach rate negotiation, the most effective method is to talk to someone directly. Call them on the phone or visit them in person. Avoid filling out online forms or dealing with automated systems, as they often aren’t equipped to offer the discounted rates you seek. Talk about the mission of your organization first and win them over to your side before bringing up prices. Ask what the company can offer and encourage them to earn your business.

If your current provider won’t give you a better rate, some internet providers offer cash incentives to switch over or enroll in multiple services, so don’t be afraid to change to take advantage of those deals.

2. Utilize volunteers

If you believe in the purpose of your organization, other people will too—so give them a way to get involved. There are many great places to find enthusiastic volunteers online, including JustServe and VolunteerMatch.

The key to building a reliable volunteer base is showing them specifically what you want them to accomplish. Be considerate of their time and talents and share in advance exactly what you need them to do. Volunteering often feels like a first date: your volunteers want to know what to wear, what time they should be ready, what time they will be home and what activities they will participate in. Be thorough in your description and you will attract more people.

Once you’ve drawn a pool of volunteers in, you need to keep them engaged in your cause. Maintain a loyal volunteer base by doing the following:

• Never ask them to come in to the office for something that takes less than an hour to complete.
• Express gratitude for their contributions both publicly and privately.
• Give them as much notice as possible for events and projects.
• Find ways to show them the impact of their work.
• Train volunteers to train other volunteers.

When directed effectively, volunteers will save your organization labor, resources and training costs. Plus, satisfied volunteers share their experiences with their networks and increase the visibility of your organization.

3. Redirect operations during slow months

Avoid any practices that will run your organization into the red, including overstaffing. Find when your busiest—and slowest—times are, and staff accordingly. You shouldn’t be staffed to capacity during winter months if you run a summer camp, for example. Instead, offer three- or six-month contracts to some employees instead of keeping them on the payroll all year. And if you have slower times even during your busy months, it is perfectly acceptable to cancel meetings or to consider teleconferencing to save on travel costs; you can nail down specifics over the phone or through email just as effectively as in real person most of the time.

In addition to scaling back, try to recognize when your organization has more free time and find productive ways to fill that time. Consider the following alternatives:

• Lease or rent out extra space that isn’t needed immediately.
• Use your staff’s available free time to make or update training materials for volunteers.
• Lend your staff and resources to other organizations that might help you in return at a later time.
• Organize and train volunteers for additional methods of fundraising.

Use your optimism and creativity to lower your costs. Your nonprofit is making the world a better place, and by cutting costs, you will have a larger footprint and impact more lives. Share these ideas with your staff and start applying them to your organization today.

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Surely you’ve heard the overly cheesy “if you love something, let it go” parable. This may be sound advice when going through relationship troubles, but it should by no means apply to your decision making with outsourced staff. In fact, the opposite is usually true: if you love the work an outsourced staff member is doing, don’t let them go. Hold on tight, and maybe even consider the possibility of hiring them on full-time. If they’re doing amazing things for you as a contractor, just imagine what they’ll do for you as an official staff member. Even if you aren’t ready to bring on an additional full-time staff member, it’s important to maintain positive relationships with anyone and everyone who works for your organization. It may sound daunting, but it’s easier than you may think.

Check in (a lot)

While it may seem like a no-brainer, a lot of contract workers and freelancers feel alienated because employers don’t check in enough. It doesn’t have to be extravagant; just shoot them an email every week or so, or, better yet, give them a quick phone call. A few minutes of your time can make a world of difference. Holding weekly conference calls or webinars can also be helpful, especially with ensuring that all workers understand your organization’s mission and goals.

Don’t limit your checkups to work, either. Ask contractors how and what they’re doing outside of work, just like you would a full-time staff member. After all, they very well could be one in the near future.

Make yourself available

Most contractors, freelancers and other outsourced staff don’t have the luxury of working out of your physical office space. For that reason, they can’t just walk down the hall and ask a question about a project. And since freelancers often set their own hours, you need to make sure you’re available to answer questions at almost all times of the day. Of course, they don’t expect you to respond to an email sent in the middle of the night, but they’ll be very appreciative of a prompt reply. If you act like your time is too important for them, they will likely reciprocate.

Give feedback and incentives

In basic psychology, positive reinforcement involves the addition of a stimulus after a behavior to encourage the same behavior in the future. If you’ve ever trained a dog—or any household animal, for that matter—you know positive reinforcement like the back of your hand. The dog sits, you give it a treat. The cat uses the litter box, you give it some cat nip. These rewards incentivize the animals to continue those behaviors. Believe it or not, humans work the same way. If your freelancer does incredible work for you, reward them not only monetarily, but with praise and recognition. And, if their work isn’t quite where you want it, help them get there. Provide meaningful, constructive feedback, and, when they get to where they need to be, give them the praise and recognition they deserve. Remember: consistency is key.

Outsourcing work is becoming more and more common, especially for nonprofits. Before you burn any bridges with contractors or freelancers, remember these tips and keep those workers on board for the long-haul.

Jitasa’s tagline is “Numbers For Good” and that’s exactly what they stand for. Jitasa offers Bookkeeping & Accounting Services Exclusively for Nonprofits. They offer solutions that cater to every nonprofit, with simple flat rate pricing that will make your life easier as a nonprofit.

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Implement a training program

If your nonprofit relies heavily on volunteerism, creating a training program is essential for volunteer safety and management. This is especially true if you’re expecting to continuously have large groups of volunteers. Make sure that you allot time and energy to coach your volunteers on specific tasks they will be doing. When they get it right the first time around, you won’t have to worry about going back and fixing any mistakes yourself later on.

Avoid volunteer burnout

A nonprofit’s limited budget sometimes means limited resources, a limited staff and a whole lot of the workload falling on the same peoples’ shoulders. Burned out employees and volunteers aren’t productive, and they transfer their stress into their actions at work. Here are some ways to manage and prevent burnout:

1. Schedule regular check-ins with your volunteers to see where they’re at in terms of progress. Make sure to ask them about their experiences working for your organization and things they might be worried about.

2. Don’t micromanage. You hired volunteers because you can’t do everything yourself, so let go and let them do their work.

3. Give your volunteers appropriate breaks and coordinate their schedule around yours to see how you can work together.

Learn how to say no

Don’t ever feel like you have to accept a volunteer just because they’re willing to volunteer, especially if you don’t have anything for them to do. You want a volunteer that fits your culture and wants to help, so make sure they’re there for a reason.

When saying no to volunteers, it’s important to handle the situation delicately. You don’t want to burn any bridges with volunteers you want to keep in your network. Even if you’ve already given them options, touch base with them regularly just in case.

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