How to modernise and improve volunteer experiences

With funding uncertain for many nonprofits and demands for programming and impact higher than ever, volunteerism has never been more essential to the success and impact of nonprofit work. However, according to research, of the roughly $1 trillion in foundation giving from 2016 to 2025, only 0.19% was allocated toward volunteer engagement.

In this article, we’ll cover the importance of volunteerism for nonprofit organisations and how grantmakers can support grantees in recruiting, engaging and retaining a strong volunteer base.

What is volunteerism?

Volunteerism is the act of an individual or group donating their time and energy to help others, typically through a nonprofit organisation, without receiving payment for doing so.

Why is volunteerism important?

Volunteerism is fundamental to the success of nonprofits and their work, especially during times of economic uncertainty and rising demands for community and global impact.

In general, volunteerism helps:

Maximise impact affordably: Volunteer assistance enables nonprofits to sustain and expand their work without incurring additional costs. For nonprofits with limited budgets, volunteers can be essential to day-to-day operations and impact.

Reduce nonprofit burnout: Nonprofit staff have some of the highest rates of burnout compared to other industries. Volunteers can aid in this by taking on work that would otherwise be given to already stretched-thin staff members.

Deepen community connection: By encouraging nonprofits to invest in their volunteerism efforts, grantmakers help foster local buy-in and support, which ultimately lends itself to long-term sustainability. Employee volunteerism, too, can link nonprofits directly to local businesses and their resources.

Build organisational resilience: Crises like economic downturns can strain nonprofits. However, volunteers help fill sudden gaps, support pivots and keep services running when demand spikes.

Increase funding: Research shows that 76% of volunteers donate to the nonprofit organisations they volunteer for. Modernising and improving the volunteer experience can help foster their commitment and even encourage financial contributions.

What’s the difference between community service and volunteerism?

While community service and volunteerism seem similar, they’re different. Volunteerism is optional and is often undertaken by people who choose to help because they want to make a difference.

Community service, on the other hand — while still an act that helps people — is often required (for a school program, a court order or a work-related project).

What are the different types of volunteerism?

Volunteerism can span focuses like climate change, animal welfare and political advocacy, as can take different shapes like:

Skills-based volunteerism: Volunteerism opportunities based on the supporter’s expertise (graphic design, marketing, etc.).

Micro-volunteering: Quick, small tasks that don’t require long time commitments (posting on social media, signing petitions or answering surveys online). This is often popular with young philanthropists (who are tech-savvy) and volunteers with busy schedules.

Employee volunteerism: Volunteering activities organised by a business for their employees (paid volunteer days, group service projects, etc.).

How to modernise and improve volunteerism

Grantmakers have a unique opportunity to help the nonprofits they fund improve and modernise their volunteerism in several ways.

In general, creating a sustainable and successful volunteer program at a nonprofit takes a lot of time, energy and resources. Grantmakers can help assist in this by funding:

Local volunteer action centers

As Points of Light President and CEO Jennifer Sirangelo says, funders can invest in local volunteer action centers, which, like public libraries and arts organisations, act as “critical social infrastructure, fostering a culture of service by connecting individuals to meaningful opportunities.”

Technology

Nonprofits are already stretched thin. That’s why one of the best ways to modernise and improve volunteerism is by funding tools that help alleviate administrative burden and improve the volunteer experience at the same time.

Tools that help nonprofits manage volunteers efficiently — like online sign-up tools, scheduling apps and communication platforms — are essential to making volunteering easy and accessible.

Skills-based volunteering programs

While all volunteers can be helpful — whether they have particular skills or not — skill-based volunteering is often an even better way to help nonprofits create impact.

Skill-based volunteers can help with financial planning, marketing, hiring and more, which can significantly help nonprofits improve their day-to-day operations.

Volunteer impact measurement

The worth and value of volunteers are significantly undervalued. Investing in systems to track and monitor volunteer contributions and outcomes can help improve volunteer programs continuously.

“By supporting the systems, research and partnerships that track volunteer impact over time and supporting those on the front lines of engagement, funders can help build a culture where civic engagement is deeply woven into the fabric of society, fostering mutual understanding and bridging divides,” says Sirangelo.

Prioritising volunteer investments

Volunteerism has become more important than ever. But often, the very nonprofits that funders set out to help aren’t being adequately supported in creating sustainable, successful volunteer programs.

The good news is that with the right funding strategies and priorities, grantmakers can help grantees ensure that their volunteer program is robust and successful—and, in the end, helping to maximise impact.