How To Build A Nonprofit Volunteer Program: 5 Steps

For many nonprofits, volunteers are their lifeblood. Not only do volunteers provide much needed assistance to an organization, but they also bring in fresh ideas and perspectives. Still, if you want an effective nonprofit volunteer program – you need a system.

In this post, that’s exactly what we give you. We’ll be going over a five-step process for building a nonprofit volunteer program. We also give you the most important actions you should take at each step.

No matter what your organization looks like, if you bring on volunteers – this process will help. Let’s dive in.

5 Steps To An Effective Nonprofit Volunteer Program

1) Define Your Needs And Objectives

This is where everything starts. If you are serious about setting up a nonprofit volunteer program, you need to be clear about one thing: what you’re trying to achieve. This will help you clearly define your overall needs and objectives. It also makes it easier to allocate limited resources. 

Actions:

• Identify Organizational Gaps: Which areas do you need more support in that volunteers could help with? These can be anything from event planning to administrative tasks – or even reaching out to influencers for potential collaborations.
• Set Volunteer Objectives: Which specific goals will volunteers work towards? Increasing fundraising capacity? Improving community outreach? Boosting overall efficiency? Clarity here will help with your recruitment efforts.
• Create Role Descriptions: Each role you are trying to fill should be clearly defined in a number of ways: exact title, responsibilities, required skills, and estimated time commitments. This makes it more likely the people you bring on are a good fit.

2) Recruit The Right Volunteers

Even the best system doesn’t matter if you bring in the wrong people. When volunteers have roles that fit their interests and skills, you experience two clear benefits: better matches for your roles and lower turnover. This is a benefit to both the volunteer and the organization.

Actions:

• Use Multiple Channels: You never know where you are going to find the perfect match. That’s why you need to use multiple platforms. Be sure to post volunteer opportunities across social media. You can also list them on volunteer-oriented platforms like VolunteerMatch.
• Use Your Existing Network: Odds are, you already have great assets in your network. Encourage current volunteers, donors, and staff to refer people to your volunteer opportunities. This is a great strategy for finding people that are already interested in your cause. 

3) Train Volunteers Thoroughly

Once you have the right volunteers, it’s time to train them. This is where a structured onboarding process becomes essential. It sets volunteers up for success and ensures they feel confident and prepared. A solid process also minimizes the odds of any misunderstandings.

Actions:

• Provide Orientation: Depending on the nature of the volunteer role, some kind of orientation is most likely useful. Ideally this is an introductory session covering your nonprofit’s history and mission. You should also go over the expectations for the role. No need to overcomplicate things here. If it doesn’t happen in person, a quality orientation can be delivered through a live webinar or pre-recorded videos.
• Outline Policies And Procedures: Make sure your volunteers understand your most important rules. This will usually be some combination of confidentiality guidelines, safety protocols, and communication expectations. Want to systemize the process? Consider creating a volunteer handbook, which can serve as a handy reference for years to come. 

4) Create A Supportive Environment

You want a team of volunteers that is committed to the long-term. Volunteers who feel appreciated and connected to the team are more likely to stay committed. This all comes down to the type of organizational culture you build.

Actions:

• Encourage Collaboration: Pair new volunteers with experienced team members. This can create a type of mentoring that is beneficial to both parties. You might also consider hosting group projects or brainstorming sessions – this gives volunteers the chance to learn from each other.
• Recognize Achievements: Everybody likes to be acknowledged. This is where recognizing achievements comes in. You can do this a number of ways: a social media spotlight or even a simple thank-you email can do the trick. The end result? Happier volunteers and a boost to morale. 
• Create Feedback Loops: Most volunteers want a chance to not only work at your organization, but advance professionally, as well. You give them this chance by continuously improving your programs. The quickest way to this improvement? Regularly asking volunteers for their input (and feedback) on your various processes, events, and initiatives. 

5) Retain Volunteers For The Long Term

The last part of an effective nonprofit volunteer program is keeping volunteers. For you, a high retention rate means less time spent on recruitment and training. For volunteers, it means a better chance to integrate deeply into your organization – and have a real effect in doing so.

Actions:

• Offer Skill Development: Like we said before, volunteers love a chance to advance their professional dreams. Give them opportunities to learn new skills and apply them in real projects.
• Map out Advancement: If possible, you can also consider creating “levels” of volunteering. The implication here is that volunteers have the chance to take on more responsibility over time. Whether moving onto higher volunteer roles, or even getting a paid position, clear opportunities for advancement will keep your volunteers motivated over time.

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