How to Engage Volunteers and Inspire Them to Become Donors

Nonprofits with a strong volunteer program are more likely to be sustainable and scalable.

Regardless of their size, nonprofits can rely on volunteers to reduce their operating budget, leverage expertise/skill, increase fundraising, expand their support network and promote their brand. You may be a nonprofit just starting out with little or no budget and rely 100% on volunteers or you could be a nonprofit with a multi-million dollar budget, volunteers are still an essential part of your resource planning. Volunteers can be a life-saver during tough economic times when a nonprofit’s fundraising is impacted. During these challenging times, the nonprofit might be able to rely on a volunteer to temporarily fill the gap for a paid staff. However, a healthy organization must eventually hire and retain qualified and trained staff to do the job. Volunteers aren’t just a backup plan during budget shortfalls. They’re a vital, long-term part of a nonprofit’s ecosystem. In fact, a strong volunteer program can be one of the most effective strategies for cultivating future donors.

The most common sourcing of volunteers comes from word of mouth within a community. Sourcing volunteers from local businesses and corporations provides a strategic engagement opportunity with businesses/corporations for future financial support. Like individual donors, businesses/corporations need to be cultivated before asking for support. Offering a corporate volunteer opportunity reinforces team building and community engagement. Companies are more likely to financially support a nonprofit if their employees are engaged and volunteer in the community. Large corporations with ESG goals encourage their employees to volunteer and often incentivize by matching employee donations.

According to the AmeriCorps Volunteer Survey, around 76 million adults in the United States donated their time to various causes in 2023. However, ensuring that your volunteers have an optimal experience is essential to deepening engagement and long-term sustainability of your organization. 

Based on our experiences, here are a few strategies that build deeper investment in your mission:

🎯 Start with a Clear Goal 

Volunteers like to know exactly how their tasks fit into the overall effort. If they’re sorting donated items, explain where those items go and who receives them. When people see the end result of their work, they stay motivated longer.

✅ Define Each Role 

Confusion about responsibilities can quickly discourage volunteers. If someone is helping with a food drive, mention the hours involved and whether they’ll greet donors or handle logistics. Specifics create a sense of purpose and ease.

🎓 Offer Training 

Giving volunteers the chance to pick up new skills can keep them excited. Maybe it’s learning a new scheduling tool or updating a digital database. If your volunteers engage directly with program beneficiaries, it's essential to provide proper training on appropriate responses and establish clear boundaries. This protects your volunteers, your beneficiaries, and your organization. 

💬 Keep Communication Open

Frequent check-ins—whether by phone, text, or email—can uncover small problems before they grow. Organizations thrive when they actively respond to volunteer feedback and show genuine interest in hearing people’s thoughts.

❤️ Volunteer Appreciation

A brief note or a personal thank you message after a volunteer event can be very encouraging. Once a year, consider a volunteer appreciation event to celebrate your volunteers. Research from the Corporation for National and Community Service shows that a sense of appreciation goes a long way in retaining volunteers. Even a simple, heartfelt message can boost morale.

🛠️ Use Tools to Save Time

Digital sign-up sheets or volunteer management platforms help avoid chaos. Automating routine tasks frees up staff time and makes it easier for volunteers to join, stay organized, and feel confident about their involvement.

💡 Stay Flexible

Reduced budgets may require volunteers to fill roles once covered by paid staff. Some of the best ideas come from volunteers themselves. Inviting them to share suggestions on how to continue vital programs can lead to creative, practical solutions.

🌱 Think Beyond Time and Talent

Volunteers who feel deeply connected to your mission are far more likely to contribute financially, too. When they see the impact of their efforts firsthand, their investment often grows, from hours donated to dollars given. Leveraging matching donations from their employer is an effective way to double volunteer donations! Organizations that cultivate strong relationships with volunteers are often planting the seeds for future donor engagement. Make it easy for them to see how their contributions, both time and financial, can scale your impact.

✍️ Invest in Volunteer Management

Ensure that you have someone on your team who is planning, managing the volunteer program and is the liaison to the volunteers. This does not need to be a dedicated position. For smaller nonprofits, this could be a shared role among your program staff and/or executive director. This is important to ensure that your volunteers have a rewarding experience and remain engaged with your organization for the long-term. The ROI from improved financial sustainability will surpass the initial investment in staff time. 

Wrapping Up

A strong volunteer base is a strategic imperative for nonprofits. An engaged volunteer community can become your greatest long-term asset. By being transparent about goals, clarifying responsibilities, celebrating small wins, and offering ways to grow, you show volunteers how much their time really matters. When they feel truly valued and connected to your mission, they're far more likely to become donors, advocates, and champions of your cause for years to come.