# Make the Most of Your Nonprofit Volunteers With This Guide | Capterra > Find out how your organization can get the most from nonprofit volunteers through organization, engagement, and the right software. Source: https://www.capterra.com/resources/the-value-of-nonprofit-volunteers --- Benefits and Compensation # Make the Most of Your Nonprofit Volunteers With This Guide By Madeleine St. John Madeleine St. John Madeleine St. John is a donor engagement consultant specializing in cultivation, communication, and stewardship strategies. Since beginning her career with W... [See bio & all articles](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/madeleine-st-john-guest-contributor/) Published March 20, 2023 6 min read ## Our tips will help you get the most out of your nonprofit volunteers. With a sector-wide emphasis on dollars in the door, volunteer support is one of the most underrated [nonprofit](https://www.capterra.com/nonprofit-software/) resources. Sure, the donation of time and talent shows up a bit differently on the books—but that doesn’t mean it can’t improve your bottom line as it [furthers your mission](https://www.capterra.com/resources/nonprofit-volunteer-network/). ## How can volunteers contribute to your nonprofit?  Volunteer support is often overlooked as a resource because its value can seem ambiguous. Certainly, it takes work to make it work. From capacity-building to connection-forming, volunteers are truly invaluable to nonprofits.  So, what’s in it for your organization in exchange for the effort it takes to seek and manage volunteer contributions? #### Volunteers can fill staffing gaps More often than not, nonprofit professionals are asked to wear multiple hats. This approach to getting the work done might keep overhead costs low, but it ensures learning curves, stress levels, and burnout rates remain high—which is ultimately more costly in the long run.  Instead, mitigate turnover by considering whether there are any tasks you can delegate to a volunteer or volunteer team. Advertise this need as a long-term, commitment-based form of support and integrate volunteerism into your operations. At year-end, show a figure that you are saving on staffing by deploying your volunteers.  #### Volunteers can fill funding gaps Need a website refresh or accounting audit but lack the budget? Instead of scrounging around for funds, turn to skills-based volunteers for support. The world is filled with highly adept professionals in the corporate sector who are willing to leverage their talents to make a positive impact.  Engage these professionals on a volunteer basis for a win-win exchange that provides _them_ with a meaningful experience and _you_ with the tools or services you need to succeed. Networks like Catchafire[\[1\]](#sources) make it easy to search, onboard, and manage skills-based volunteer support. #### Volunteers serve as ambassadors Your organization is best represented by the individuals who know your work from the inside out. [Leverage loyal volunteers as social media ambassadors](https://www.capterra.com/advocacy-software/) or peer-to-peer fundraisers to increase awareness of your organization and expand your giving community through the sustainability of a grassroots approach. Expand your nonprofit's reach through employee and volunteer social media advocacy [with our guide](https://www.capterra.com/resources/marketing-through-social-media-employee-advocacy/). #### Volunteers are prospective donors Just because someone enters into a relationship with your organization through a gift of time or talent doesn't mean they can't also [become a financial supporter](https://www.capterra.com/donation-management-software/buyers-guide/). With a lived experience of the impact your organization makes, volunteers have some of the best buy-in to your mission. Over time, this has the potential to position them as loyal donors to your organization—donors who will grow in tandem with your mission. ## How can you leverage even more value from your volunteers?  One of the biggest mistakes nonprofits make when choosing to engage volunteer support is failing to develop a structured volunteer program with systems that will set your staff and volunteer team up for mutual success. After all, recruiting, managing, and stewarding donated labor is a specialized skill set. Here’s how your organization can go about developing a volunteer program. ### 1\. Hire a volunteer manager While it may feel easy to balk at the idea of paying an employee when the end game is donated work, it is more cost-effective to hire one paid employee who can manage several unpaid supporters versus scaling up staff. Plus, hiring a volunteer manager will ensure the systematization and scalability of your volunteer program through personalized stewardship of the volunteer network itself. Your volunteer manager will be in charge of: surveying internal needs, recruiting external resources, [training](https://www.capterra.com/training-software/) and onboarding volunteer support, liaising between volunteers and other staff members, managing volunteer scheduling and communication, plus ensuring a positive and meaningful volunteer experience. Explore [free employee communication tools](https://www.capterra.com/employee-communication-tools-software/s/free/) for your nonprofit. ### 2\. Develop your volunteer program based on internal needs and staff input  When developing a volunteer program as part of a larger donor touchpoint pipeline, it may be tempting to create programming or positions based on a perception of the work volunteers want to contribute or the role they want to play.  Instead, begin with [feedback from staff](https://www.capterra.com/survey-software/#shortlist) on what support is most essential. Volunteers show up for organizations because they want to make a difference. People can tell when their support is truly valuable or if it's just fluff.  Ensure a meaningful volunteer experience that will keep folks coming back by curating a program that caters to your biggest needs—even if those needs seem trivial or tedious. [Data entry](https://www.capterra.com/data-entry-software/) is fair game, folks! Free Download: Capterra's Case for Support Template [](#signup) ### 3\. Invest in your volunteers and extend radical gratitude It can be argued that time is our most precious resource. Retain the volunteers you’ve attracted through consistent acts of investment and appreciation during the entirety of their volunteer journey.  Volunteer appreciation can take several forms, both traditional and novel: - Thank volunteers before, during, and after a volunteer engagement. - Ensure a comfortable experience by providing snacks, coffee, and water. - Set aside time to connect with your volunteers during their shift. - Reward loyalty by featuring volunteers' work and profiles in your content as well as any marketing and outreach.  - Host volunteer appreciation events. ### 4\. Recruit by looking for individuals with shared values Ensure you’re growing a loyal and sustainable volunteer network by seeking supporters from spaces and places with shared values. Answer the question: What corporations, institutions, or partner organizations share our ethos? Use this shortlist to begin your outreach and recruiting process. ### 5\. Offer growth opportunities Even in volunteer work, development is critical to engagement. When volunteers show their dependability, reward this with increased responsibility which, in turn, will create a deeper sense of belonging and buy-in with your organization. ### 6\. Leverage testimonies to grow your giving community We are all seeking meaning and belonging. Once you develop a volunteer program that prioritizes a valuable volunteer experience and allows your supporters to feel like insiders, word will get out and you’ll begin to attract other values-aligned individuals who want to take part in the philanthropic experience offered by your organization. Generosity is generative! ## Nonprofit volunteers are invaluable for longevity and success  Volunteer programming, when crafted and managed with intention, is a powerful tool for mobilizing around your mission while meaningfully engaging your most curious—or committed—friends and supporters.  Invest in the longevity of your giving community by harnessing the invaluable power of volunteer support as a resource. **Need more help for your nonprofit?** Get the best from your volunteers and more with these additional resources:  - [Galvanizing Your Network: How to Organize Volunteers at Your Nonprofit](https://www.capterra.com/resources/nonprofit-volunteer-network/) - [How Nonprofit Leaders Can Facilitate Better Decision Making](https://www.capterra.com/resources/better-decision-making-for-nonprofit-leaders/) - [4 Practices To Take Your Nonprofit Organization From Stressed to Strategic](https://www.capterra.com/resources/4-practices-to-take-your-nonprofit-organization-from-stressed-to-strategic/) ## Capterra's 2026 Software Buying Trends Report ### Download our 2026 Software Buying Trends Report to see how successful software adopters avoid disappointment and how your business can, too. * * * Sources 1. [Where Talent Meets Purpose](https://www.catchafire.org/), Catchafire.org * * * Looking for Nonprofit software?Check out Capterra's list of the [best Nonprofit software](https://www.capterra.com/nonprofit-software/) solutions. ### Was this article helpful? * * * ## About the Author [### Madeleine St. John](https://www.capterra.com/resources/author/madeleine-st-john-guest-contributor/) Madeleine St. John is a donor engagement consultant specializing in cultivation, communication, and stewardship strategies. Since beginning her career with World Vision, Madeleine has gone on to grow development programs for organizations working across arts education, mental health, leadership development, integrative medicine, distributive justice, and women’s rights. Today, Madeleine’s work focuses on designing more inclusive definitions of "donor" and "donation" to include an organization’s... ### RELATED READING - [Help Desk Software for IT Support: Features and Benefits 1,300+ Users Value](https://www.capterra.com/resources/it-help-desk-software-features-benefits/) - [AI in Talent Management Software: The Bridge Between Recruiting and Retention](https://www.capterra.com/resources/ai-talent-management-software/) - [Switching Accounting Software: Common Risks to Avoid in 2026](https://www.capterra.com/resources/switching-accounting-software-problems-risks/) - [Why Projects Fail, and What Actually Helps Teams Fix Them](https://www.capterra.com/resources/4-steps-to-completely-recover-from-project-failure/) - [Checklist for SMBs: How to Choose the Right Customer Service Help Desk Software for Your Business Size](https://www.capterra.com/resources/choosing-customer-support-help-desk-software/) - [E‑Filing Taxes as a Small Business: Where Software Adds Value and When It’s Necessary](https://www.capterra.com/resources/efile-tax-software-small-business-guidelines/) - [How To Choose a Manufacturing Software With Confidence: Insights From Real Buyers](https://www.capterra.com/resources/manufacturing-software-buyer-insights-report/) - [What is CRM Software and What Does a CRM System Do?](https://www.capterra.com/resources/what-is-crm-software/) - [Payroll Software vs. HR Software: What’s the Difference](https://www.capterra.com/resources/payroll-vs-hr-software-difference/)