Non profit volunteerism increases as donations plateau

For many non-profits the economic waters over the last few years have been increasingly difficult to navigate,  increasing or even maintaining donorship can still result in reduced fundraising revenues due to the economic pinch that has impacted every cross section of society. Corporate giving has in tandem often plateaued or fallen away to varying degrees whilst the fundraising sector in terms of more choices for donors continues to expand annually. This is a great time to assess whether your non profit is positioned to take advantage of people power as volunteering is reaching  new heights.

A new study shows that an amazing total of 63.4 million Americans (age 16 and older) gave time volunteering for charitable causes in 2009. That equates to more than 26% of all adults in the entire country.  The increase over 2008 was remarkable, over 1.6M more than 12 months prior which clearly demonstrates many people who were not in a position go give to a cause financially were prepared to give their time to a cause. Managing volunteers then is crucial and now perhaps more than ever. People who donate time want to feel they are making a difference and being ‘put to good use’ (for lack of a better term) – it’s not acceptable for volunteers to arrive ready to help a chosen project and not feel they are being utilised effectively. Ensure that planning and staging are well prepared in advance of any volunteer events, engage those who are kind enough to donate time in a way that excites the notion that their aid is both beneficial and well organised. Never forget that its easier for some to donate than to commit time to your cause and travel to an event. A volunteer who knows they are useful will be a volunteer that returns again and again or a donor of the future.

Evaluate whether your current campaign encourages volunteerism? Do your website and literature, mail campaigns and staff all speak to how volunteers are welcome and encouraged. Engaging your donor base is vital and a visit to a facility, event or pledge drive allows your donors to see first hand the power and conviction of your non-profit. Time spent representing your cause can build relationships that will last decades. Organise those resources with care and precision and the people who donate time will know as soon as they arrive that attention to detail and planning are hallmarks of the way your non profit operates. Whether 5 or 50 people are able to help with your next event ensure they are welcomed, trained and supervised so that every minute given is time well used.

Just a few of the fascinating findings of the report:

• 63.4 millions Americans gave 8.1 billion hours of volunteer time in 2009 –
• Volunteer rates were above 35% in Utah, Minnesota, Nebraska, Alaska, South Dakota, Vermont and Kansas
• The top four activities for service across the country are fundraising 26.6%, collecting or distributing food with 23.5%, providing general labor or transportation 20.5% tutoring or teaching 19.0%
• The estimated dollar value of the volunteered time in 2009 was some $169 billion

The entire report is very interesting and well worth a read – “Volunteering in America 2010 –  by the Corporation for National and Community Service”. You can split the report into regional and other demographic views, download the pdf summary and read much more information.

Miratel Solutions have been providing the very best in Telephone Fundraising and Lottery Management services for over a decade, please visit our site and learn more about how we can help you with your non profit growth.