Right now there are some really cool things happening with research in the volunteer engagement space. With new research coming out I wanted to give you a run down and share some things I’m excited about.

Embrace cultural exchange with EF High School Exchange Year.

Every year, EF High School Exchange Year brings thousands of high school exchange students from around the world to live with families in America. In a world where global connections are more important than ever, the opportunities to engage with and contribute to international cultural exchange have never been more accessible.

Your nonprofit’s volunteers are an integral part of your community. They commit their time, energy, and skills to facilitate your events, maintain your website, perform administrative tasks, and more.

After graduating from Federal Polytechnic in Nigeria, Folashade sought to grow her professional skills through virtual volunteering. She studied Accounting for practical reasons and had not expected to find a volunteer opportunity that would ignite her passion and change her life. 

Through VolunteerMatch Folashade discovered Womenful Voice, a U.S.-based organization empowering women in Haiti. After three months of volunteering as the Executive Assistant to Womenful’s CEO, she was hired to do the role full-time.

In America, volunteers donate approximately 4.1 billion hours of their time to nonprofits, and the value of each hour is estimated to be over $30. To make the most of valuable volunteer time at your next nonprofit event, you’ll need to set clear expectations for the roles they’ll fill. 

Your nonprofit likely collects data about its donors, but what about your volunteers? Volunteers, although often overlooked, are the backbone of your organization. They work hands-on with your beneficiaries, ensure events run smoothly, and advocate for your cause.

According to 360MatchPro, the estimated value of a volunteer hour is $31.80, which represents the cost the organization would incur by hiring paid workers instead. Is your association making the most of this valuable resource?

With a strong volunteer program, you can connect with supporters who are passionate about your cause, get assistance in delivering your mission and services to beneficiaries, and even discover more potential donors. 

According to a 2023 VolunteerPro study, 34% of volunteer managers say their top priority is recruitment while another 13% say it’s boosting volunteer participation. No matter which one you prioritize, there’s a simple way your organization can further both your recruitment and participation goals—just look to the device in the palm of your volunteers’ hands.