Where Can You Find Volunteers for Your Nonprofit?

Having a board of directors is essential to any nonprofit that wishes to succeed. However, even with an exceptional board, a nonprofit would be nothing without its volunteers. Did you know that volunteer time can also be listed in a grant budget as in-kind support? You can actually estimate the cost and employee benefits of your volunteers as if you were to pay them and demonstrate their value as in-kind support. Maintain a folder of volunteer job descriptions and the resumes and titles of the volunteers for your next grant application.

So, how can you find volunteers for your nonprofit? It might not always be easy to get volunteers who are willing to give up their time and energy. Of course, it would help to know where to look! That’s why GrantWatch.com has put together a list below of places to which your nonprofit should reach out when looking for volunteers.

These ideas should be a great place to start! Let us know how your search to find volunteers goes in the comments below.

5 Places to Find Volunteers for Your Nonprofit

1. Social Media

The first place to try when looking for volunteers is through social media. Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter can be extremely useful since they’re free to use. You’re able to post images as well as text and it allows you to appeal directly to prospective volunteers. Also, since sites like these have a high volume of traffic, it is almost guaranteed that the posts will be seen, not just in your local area, but by people all over the world. Social media provides the opportunity to instantly make your need for help known to other people and groups who share common interests.

2. Schools

Schools and universities are other great avenues for finding volunteers. Many students need community service hours in order to graduate high school. Even if hours are not mandatory, many students may be interested in volunteering for the experience alone or the potential ‘boost’ it will provide to help their college application stand out. University students may also take an interest in volunteering with your nonprofit, especially if the field they are studying is a good fit with your mission. For example, if your work is with an arts nonprofit, you should try reaching out to current art students at your local university. Many honor societies, along with many fraternities and sororities, also require community service hours, which is what makes a college campus a great place to look for volunteers!

3. Businesses

When looking for volunteers, your nonprofit should also contact businesses in the area. Many corporations have programs in place that encourage their employees to regularly volunteer their time with a local organization. They may also be willing to promote your nonprofit in their store or on their website.

4. Clubs/Organizations

In addition, there are many clubs and organizations that are centered on serving others and doing work in the community. Some of these include Rotary Clubs, Girl Scouts/Boy Scouts, Kiwanis Club, and many more. Reaching out to well-known organizations like these can be a great way to find people willing to help out your nonprofit. Partnering with these established programs will also give you great exposure within the community. Most of the people associated with these groups already have a lot of experience volunteering, so their involvement will make them a great addition to your team.

5. Churches

It might also be worthwhile to reach out to local churches, synagogues, mosques and other faith-based organizations regarding your nonprofit. Many members of these groups are looking for ways to be of service to the community. Your nonprofit could be just the opportunity they’ve been looking for! Reach out to the leaders of these institutions and/or groups and ask if they would be willing to have you come to speak to their members at a meeting or event. They may even be willing to include information about your nonprofit in mailings or other communication with their membership.

Conclusion

Of course, once your volunteers have been ‘found’, it’s just as important to ‘keep’ them involved. One of the best ways to accomplish this is to be sure to show your appreciation to them for the work they do on behalf of your nonprofit. We hope these suggestions will help you broaden your base to better enable your nonprofit to grow and thrive!

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