With nearly 3 billion social media users across the globe, social good organizations are increasingly adopting a more digitized approach towards social activism and engaging their volunteers.

I don’t remember the date, but I remember the conversation. It was the first time I’d heard the word “competition” in relation to volunteer organizations. I was in a community meeting, and nonprofit experts were discussing the impact of a newly formed nonprofit in the area.

You worked really hard to craft the perfect volunteer appeal, but what’s next? When’s the best day or time to publish your opportunity on VolunteerMatch to ensure it gains the most traction? After all, you want to make sure you’re casting your line while volunteers are searching!

Volunteering doesn’t exist in a bubble — it’s reflective of the people and the societies they live in.  Therefore, when major shifts take place, be they economic, cultural or political, it’s reasonable to presume that some aspects of volunteer behavior will be influenced. For example, increases or decreases in the numbers of active volunteers, volunteer hours, or types of volunteering being done.

Some companies view volunteerism as a need to satisfy employee engagement objectives. But on the other end of the spectrum, many understand the essence of volunteerism as a selfless way to serve one’s community.

Corporate volunteer programs offer an incredible opportunity for nonprofit organizations to partner with businesses to advance awareness of and raise money for their cause. A nonprofit liaison with a company creates a situation where everyone wins: the nonprofit gets the assistance it needs while the business benefits from building their brand and generating positive impressions throughout the community.

Guest post by Verified Volunteers. This post originally appeared on Verified Volunteers’ blog.

Verified Volunteers’ “Volunteer Screening Trends and Best Practices Report: 2018” offers insights into the current state of volunteer programs, from current screening practices to challenges to be overcome. The report is based on a nationwide survey conducted on individuals who are involved in running volunteer programs to better understand their background screening needs and processes. The 967 survey responders represented a wide range of organizations including social and human services, education, healthcare, religious and youth development groups. Responders were mostly volunteer managers and program managers and directors whose organizations rely heavily on unpaid volunteers.

Guest post by Lisa Joyslin

Many organizations struggle to engage volunteers who reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of the communities they serve. In response to this issue, the Minnesota Association for Volunteer Administration (MAVA) recently embarked on a research study which resulted in a set of eight strategies for creating a more inclusive volunteer program within nonprofit and government organizations. These strategies serve as a starting point for volunteer engagement leaders seeking concrete next steps for better engaging volunteers from diverse and immigrant communities.

Regardless of the size or type of your nonprofit, volunteers are probably your lifeblood — perhaps even more than your donors.

Imagine this scenario: you write a position description, craft a compelling volunteer opportunity, hit publish, then wait. You either don’t receive many responses or hear back from volunteers that aren’t a great fit. Here’s where things get interesting: you’re not alone! For the third year in-a-row, volunteer managers worldwide still list volunteer recruitment as their #1 challenge.