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.

Online events are on the rise. Between their flexibility, convenience, and endless possibilities, online fundraisers are a great way to rally your community together—no matter where they are—and raise funds to advance your cause. However, you can’t pull off a successful online event without the help of a dedicated volunteer base!

One of my favorite Hot Takes is the idea that being really clear and honest about what a volunteer role entails, including specific tasks, skills needed, and time commitment, will pay off by screening out more volunteers who are not the right fit early on.

Volunteers are an essential part of your nonprofit, putting in the work needed to run your programs, launch fundraisers, and keep your organization up and running. But how can nonprofits connect with volunteers in the digital age?

Guest Contributor: Carly Euler, Marketing Manager at MemoryFox

Nonprofits that are looking to tell impactful volunteer stories must channel their inner interviewer by asking the best questions that will elicit the best stories which will ultimately lead to the best content. But not every volunteer is a natural-born storyteller. Therefore, asking the right questions can make a real difference in getting that memorable, shareable content you need.