Galvanizing Your Network: How to Organize Volunteers at Your Nonprofit

Try out these tactics to engage and get the most out of your volunteer network.

Volunteers are one of the most invaluable resources we have as nonprofits, and uniquely available to our sector. How, then, can we make the most of our volunteer networks by cultivating enthusiasm and motivation amongst the friends and fans of our organizations?

People turn to philanthropy for a felt sense of meaning and belonging through impact. From this perspective, our task as nonprofit professionals is less geared toward developing a strategy to motivate volunteer support and more toward developing a program that furnishes an excellent and memorable volunteer experience. 

When people give their time to an organization, they expect a sense of purpose and fulfillment in return. Offer this feeling to your volunteers and motivation, loyalty, generosity, and ambassadorship will organically emerge as byproducts.

Here are some tips on creating an excellent volunteer experience that will galvanize your network of volunteers—for good!

8 ways to motivate volunteers in your network

1. Establish a frictionless and welcoming intake process.

An easy point of entry and immediate acknowledgment of their arrival helps people feel welcome and wanted. In turn, where people feel wanted, they want to stay. Create this effect in your volunteer network with a smooth digital sign-up process augmented by a human-to-human welcome. 

2. Invest in their success through orientation and education.

Demonstrate you are looking for a long-term relationship with volunteers by leading with generosity. Welcome new volunteers to the team and ensure they are set up for success with an orientation and training prior to their first volunteer experience. In addition to creating an upfront sense of buy-in, this allows you to communicate expectations.

3. Get to know your volunteers.

Once people are in the door, make a point of becoming acquainted with them. In person, via email, or over a call, ask about their personal motivation to support your mission and learn about what else substantiates their life beyond volunteering. Understanding the unique motivations of your individual volunteers sets you up to curate an experience specific to their desires and skill sets.

4. Take care of those who take care of you.

It’s the little things that go a long way in creating a comfortable and memorable volunteer experience. When people show up to provide for your organization, make sure they, in turn, are provided for. Storage space, snacks and beverages, and built-in breaks help people feel cared for and position them to give with ease.

5. Encourage connection.

People go where they feel they belong. People feel they belong when they sense connection. Support volunteers in establishing a sense of belonging by designing volunteer engagement logistics that leave room for social interaction—with the volunteer manager, with other staff members, and with fellow volunteers.

6. Offer space for grace.

Volunteers are giving their time and talents for free. Make sure they pour into your organization from a full cup by diffusing any sense of guilt for not being able to contribute or needing to cancel. When people feel shame, they are less likely to re-engage. When people experience graciousness, they are more likely to return the favor and remain connected to your organization.

7. Celebrate support.

Time is our most precious resource. Retain the volunteers you’ve attracted through consistent acknowledgment—both public and private. This can take the shape of thank-you notes, volunteer profiles in your organization’s communications, volunteer appreciation events, volunteer swag or gifts, and more.

8. Diversify engagement.

A multifaceted experience of your organization increases the felt sense of “insidership” and belonging for volunteers. Ensure this effect by encouraging volunteers to take on multiple roles or engagements and offering ambassadorship or peer-to-peer fundraising opportunities.

Help your volunteers help you 

In a world where we are all seeking meaning and belonging through a sense of purpose and impact, volunteer motivation is secondary to an outstanding and memorable volunteer experience. Help your friends, fans, and followers feel like insiders and loyalty will be generated organically.