According to the most recent report from the U.S Bureau of Labor and Statistics, 62.6 million Americans — about 1 in 4 U.S. adults — volunteer. LinkedIn reported that its users added more than 110,000 volunteer activities per month during the pandemic, double the rate of 2017. Given the significant, and often critical, role volunteers play, nonprofits must be armed with volunteer resources to better manage, support and recognize their volunteers.
In addition to helping strengthen our communities, volunteers bring numerous benefits:
- An hour of volunteer time is worth an average of $29.95 to the nonprofit they support (Independent Sector).
- Volunteers are almost twice as likely to donate to a charity than those who don’t volunteer (The Corporation for National & Community Service).
- 92% of human resource executives agree that volunteering for a nonprofit can improve an employee’s leadership skills (Deloitte).
- Volunteers are 66% more likely to donate financially to the nonprofit they support than those who do not volunteer their time (Volunteer Hub).
- Volunteering decreases the likelihood of high blood pressure development by 40% (WebMD).
To help you maximize your volunteer relationships and program, Nonprofit Leadership Center Trainer, Sara Leonard, curated this list of volunteer resources for nonprofit leaders.
Volunteer Resources
How to Find Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Research & Reports
- Volunteer Value and Statistics by State | Independent Sector
- Civic Engagement Research | Points of Light
- Volunteering in America | Americorps
Volunteer Recognition Days
- MLK Day of Service (January 17)
- National Volunteer Week (Third week in April)
- 9/11 Day of Service
- Giving Tuesday (Tuesday after Thanksgiving)
- Cause Awareness Days
Other Volunteer Resources
Earn Your Certificate in Volunteer Management
The Certificate in Volunteer Management from the Nonprofit Leadership Center prepares nonprofit leaders and volunteer managers to better recruit, retain and reward their volunteers in light of today’s challenges and ever-changing environment. The curriculum is designed by Hands On Network and facilitated by NLC Trainer Sara Leonard, MBA, CFRE. Through three interactive, high-energy virtual workshops, you’ll learn comprehensive strategies and techniques to use immediately at your organization in the following areas:
- Understanding volunteering: Current trends and motivations
- Planning your volunteer program
- Recruiting and placing volunteers
- Orienting and training volunteers
- Supervising volunteers
- Evaluating your volunteer program
Upon completion, you will receive the Florida Association for Volunteer Resource Management Certificate. Attendance at all three sessions, completion of assignments and passing module tests are required to earn the certificate.