New Platforms Help Non-profits with Online Fundraising and Recruiting Volunteers

We have explored several non-profit online fundraising platforms available to accommodate a variety of causes that benefit the mission/efforts of an individual up to the large, established charitable organization. Some of those platforms include Jumo, CovergeUS, Razoo, Crowd Rise, Give2gether, Kickstarter, Kiva City, Givmo, Broadcause, Startsomegood and Donorschoose. The increasing popularity of these sites is a testament to their effectiveness especially in these more trying economic times. Although raising much needed funds is crucial, also important is recruiting volunteers to help execute the mission of the cause and that’s where sites such as VolunteerMatch serve a great purpose.

Established in 1998, VolunteerMatch has grown to be a site that not only connects volunteers to regular non-profit volunteering opportunities, but it is also expanding their future strategic initiatives to include: Pro Bono/Skilled Volunteering, Employee Volunteering & Corporation Citizenship, Disaster Preparation and Relief and Corporate Cause Alignment. Currently, volunteers can source volunteering opportunities, access tips, newsletters and other information as well as share their personal volunteering stories through a forum. Volunteers are also able to

VoluteerMatch logo image courtesy of volunteermatch.org

set email alerts based on their preferences, organize volunteering groups and create and post a volunteering resume.  The site also offers free webinars presented by experienced volunteer managers that help those interested to determine how to find the best volunteer opportunity for them to get the most of their experience.

Non-profits benefit from their use of VolunteerMatch through both basic and premium memberships. Their platform allows them to recruit new volunteers, manage and build stronger relationship with existing volunteers and ultimately save valuable time.  VolunteerMatch hosts many webinars that range from introductory to advance, giving non-profits the tools, tips and best practices to recruit the best talent.  Topics the webinars cover are current and relevant including Social Media and Volunteer Engagement to Managing Difficult Volunteers.  Non-profits can also share their stories about their founders and/or members, how they started and where they are now.

A 2007 PRWeek Cause Survey identified that “91% of consumers say it is important for companies to support causes”.  In this age of CSR business initiatives motivating corporations to be actively involved in their communities, VolunteerMatch is the perfect tool. Their online platforms provide corporations with a hosted solution that can be branded and where they can engage employees passion, track employee volunteering hours and rewards, manage events, feature community volunteering needs and most importantly help them align their corporate giving and volunteering with a cause that have similar goals and mission.

The unique aspect of this specific platform is that it’s not restricted to the engagement of employees within their organization, but they can also engage their consumer and demonstrate their commitment to CSR business strategies while building their brand and serving their community.  They can also connect with other socially responsible organizations to work on projects together to strengthen their cause impact. VolunteerMatch alaso extends to colleges and universities to assist in organizing students, faculty and staff.

VolunteerMatch receives no funding from the government and are mostly funded by public and corporate donations, where every $1 donated translates into $127 in social value.  They also charge a nominal fee to non-profits that are interested in using the premium advanced options the site features. After bringing people together and strengthening communities for over 13 years, VolunteerMatch currently has over 79,000 non-profit organizations that are registered to use the site, which receives over 900,000 unique visitors each month and boasts over 4.2 million registered members.

Non-profit online fundraising and giving is usually associated with monetary donations only and the giving of time is often overlooked but the VolunteerMatch platform grants it the attention it deserves. You can visit VolunteerMatch on YouTube here.

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