12 Ways To Effectively Recruit Nonprofit Volunteers
From looking at established networks and connecting with peers to doing targeted outreach, enticing people to become volunteers requires knowing how to best engage with interested parties. To help, 12 Forbes Nonprofit Council members share effective strategies they've found to recruit volunteers in today's business landscape.
1. Recruit From Within
Be clear and transparent about your volunteer needs. If you work with the youth, ask their families and caregivers. If you work with animals, ask your friends and family. Volunteerism isn't a solo endeavor, and short-term volunteer duties fit well within our busy society. Consider pairing volunteers up on one or multiple tasks to help lessen the burden on their time. - Erin Davison, Davison Consulting
2. Optimize The Hiring Process
Match volunteer roles to their interests and skills while simplifying the application process and offering flexible schedules. This will help to align the right volunteer to the right job. Inspire potential volunteers with compelling stories about the impact of volunteering and showcase real-life examples of how volunteers make a difference. Always recognize the contributions of your volunteers. - Victoria Burkhart, The More Than Giving Company
Forbes Nonprofit Council is an invitation-only organization for chief executives in successful nonprofit organizations. Do I qualify?
3. Focus On Discovering People's True Motivations
The most effective way to recruit volunteers is by discovering their true motivations. Ask what drives them and what they hope to gain. Then, align roles with their personal "why." People stay where they feel seen and valued, not just needed. In a digital world, authentic connection still wins hearts. - Yujia Zhu, FASSLING.AI
4. Develop Personal Relations Through Storytelling
In a crowded digital world, the key to genuine volunteer recruitment is building personal relationships and sharing purposeful stories. People want to know their time matters. When they see themselves as part of the narrative and believe in the cause, they don't just sign up but also stay committed. - Gregory Johnson, Foundation for the Mid South
5. Build A Sense Of Community
We focus on building a genuine sense of community, not just filling roles. Through virtual information sessions, engaging social content and personalized outreach, we help potential volunteers feel welcomed and connected from the start. When people believe they're joining a cause rather than just checking off tasks, they're more likely to show up, stay and advocate for others to join. - Alan Thomas, Association for Materials Protection & Performance
6. Offer Meaningful Opportunities
Volunteers want two things: communal experiences and to help the organization's core mission. An effective way to recruit volunteers is to offer opportunities that combine the two. When nonprofits clearly connect volunteer work to mission outcomes and shared experiences, they highlight purpose and connection. This can inspire volunteers to be more willing to help. - Matt Nash, The Blackbaud Giving Fund
7. Target People Already Engaged In The Work
The most effective way to recruit high-caliber mentors is through introductions from peers who are already engaged with your work. Instead of mass outreach, we build a curated experience that attracts impact-driven leaders by showcasing the tangible contributions mentors make to social entrepreneurs. It's also just as important to highlight what they gain in return, including intellectual engagement, purpose and community. - Brigit Helms, Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship
8. Call People Directly
To recruit, nonprofit leaders should try calling people directly. A message sent is never a message received on social media. I believe in high-touch interactions, verbal communication and collaborations that don't happen through a computer. People appreciate a phone call! - Rhonda Vetere, Laureus Sport For Good
9. Make A Personal Ask
It is hard to beat a personal ask. Cleophus P. Franklin Jr., one of my board members, often says, "Competence gets you in the room. Storytelling gets you the signature." Share your nonprofit's mission and then ask them to help. Allow them to become the hero of the story. Allow your passion for the cause to become contagious. - Aaron Alejandro, Texas FFA Foundation
10. Create A Culture Of Genuine Engagement
Make volunteering both a social interaction and service. Hosting a happy hour or offering a meal after a meeting or event fosters an atmosphere of excitement and collaboration. The organization doesn't even have to carry that expense; just create the opportunity. The creation of these social avenues better engages volunteers and helps them see serving as an exciting opportunity instead of a chore. - Jamee Rodgers, Urban Neighborhood Initiative
11. Prioritize Transparency And Empowerment
The best volunteer recruitment starts with transparency and empowerment. Be clear about the role and the impact. Volunteers step up when they know their time, voice and the things they treasure truly matter. Equip them with the tools and the confidence to be ambassadors. Empowered volunteers share your story on social channels through their eyes, driving both engagement and donations. - Karen Cochran, Philanthropy Innovators
12. Blend Social Media With Tailored Outreach
The best approach blends social media reach with personalized outreach. Nonprofits need to meet prospective volunteers where they are at the right time and on the right platform. Tools like agentic AI help optimize this process by analyzing patterns in volunteer behavior, predicting when someone is most likely to engage, and automating personalized communication to drive action. - Scott Brighton, Bonterra
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