3 Forms of Volunteer Software program and Instruments Nonprofits Want

Roughly one-third of the nonprofit workforce is volunteers, and these supporters hold your nonprofit operating by finishing program-related duties, aiding with fundraisers, spreading consciousness, and customarily lending their time and power to assist your group. Nonetheless, managing a workforce that may come and go randomly is a problem, and to compensate, many nonprofits flip to volunteer software program options.

Nonprofits can profit from a number of kinds of volunteer software program. On this information, we’ll discover three sorts of nonprofit software program targeted on volunteers and the way your group can benefit from every platform. Particularly, we’ll cowl:

First, let’s tackle the basics of volunteer software program. If that is your first time investing in one of these answer, you’ll have a baseline of what to prioritize.

Volunteer Software program FAQ

What’s volunteer software program?

Volunteer software program contains expertise platforms designed for nonprofits to handle, have interaction, and work together with their volunteers. This contains instruments that permit nonprofits to message volunteers, create shift schedules, and put up volunteer alternatives. It additionally contains platforms that permit volunteers to finish particular duties, resembling fundraising on a nonprofit’s behalf.

Bear in mind that varied volunteer software program options embrace completely different options. For instance, even when two distributors each provide volunteer administration software program, one might need options for recruitment and coaching, whereas one other focuses particularly on communication and group.

Why do nonprofits want volunteer software program?

Small nonprofits can run volunteer packages with out software program supporting their efforts. Nonetheless, as your volunteer program grows, so will its stage of complexity. With extra volunteers, packages, and duties, nonprofits can profit enormously from utilizing a centralized system to remain organized.

With the assistance of volunteer software program, nonprofits can:

• Higher handle assets. Volunteer software program collects and screens information associated to your volunteer program. This lets you perceive what assets you’ve gotten at your disposal, how they’re getting used, and in the event that they may very well be higher allotted. For instance, you would possibly discover sure packages are at capability for volunteers whereas others want extra assist. On this case, you’ll be able to edit your schedule to repair this discrepancy.
• Enhance volunteer retention. By operating an organized volunteer program the place supporters obtain immediate communication and clear course, you’re extra prone to have returning volunteers.
• Launch specialised packages. Sure kinds of volunteer initiatives require software program to operate. For instance, for those who plan to supply digital volunteering alternatives, you’ll possible want software program to attach with these supporters and assign duties.

Volunteer software program platforms fluctuate in scale, and completely different nonprofits will want completely different ranges of assist. Whereas a smaller nonprofit could be content material utilizing its CRM’s volunteer engagement options, a bigger group could choose a extremely customizable volunteer-specific administration platform.

Is volunteer software program free?

Volunteer software program is out there at quite a lot of value factors. Some options could provide free packages with restricted options, however most platforms function on a month-to-month or annual subscription system.

For instance, volunteer software program vendor POINT has three value factors, together with a free possibility that gives core administration options, resembling time monitoring and calendar administration.

Nonetheless, different fascinating options, volunteer administration software program platforms focus on completely different elements of volunteer administration. Nonetheless, each platform ought to provide these core options:

• Database. Many nonprofits use CRMs, which home donor information, resembling their engagement historical past, contact particulars, and fee info. Some CRMs additionally present profile administration options for non-donors, resembling volunteers, however devoted volunteer administration platforms are possible to offer extra sturdy choices. Search for platforms that assist you to simply construct volunteer profiles, search your database for particular people, and retailer your supporters’ info securely.
• Scheduling. Planning and managing volunteer shifts is crucial for sustaining a purposeful volunteer program. Assess administration platforms primarily based on their scheduling-related options, resembling calendar creation, shift assigning and claiming processes, and bulk scheduling.
• Communication. To maintain your volunteer program operating easily, volunteer managers might want to coordinate with quite a few supporters to offer course, guarantee shifts are crammed, and reply questions. Your volunteer software program ought to assist this course of with communication instruments, resembling the power to contact volunteers by way of a number of channels (like e mail, textual content messaging, and volunteer app notifications) and computerized messaging (like upcoming shift reminders).
• Reporting. Reporting instruments aid you make sense of your information to find out the place your volunteer program is succeeding and what may very well be improved. As an example, all volunteer administration software program ought to have fundamental hours monitoring instruments. You would possibly use this info to find out which occasions of 12 months your nonprofit has the very best volunteer capability.

When assessing volunteer administration software program, contemplate your nonprofit’s wants. Some organizations could be on the lookout for an out-of-the-box answer with an app volunteers can have interaction with, whereas others would possibly desire a customizable platform and complex reporting options. Each vendor has its personal specialties and strengths, so be aware of what options they spotlight and ask questions throughout demos and gross sales pitches about particular use circumstances.

Bonus: What are company volunteer administration options?

Whereas for-profit companies don’t have volunteers, some firms do have software program with volunteer administration options. Particularly, companies with company social accountability (CSR) packages usually use software program to handle these initiatives.

CSR packages embrace grantmaking, sponsorships, in-kind donations, and worker volunteer initiatives. Some examples of company volunteer packages are:

• Volunteer grants
• Volunteer break day (VTO)
• Staff volunteer days
• Mentorships
• Internships

To encourage worker volunteering and observe volunteer initiatives’ outcomes, companies use CSR software program. These instruments permit workers to report their volunteer hours, submit volunteer grant functions, and request VTO. With some platforms, workers can seek for volunteer alternatives.

Some CSR distributors present customers with a database of respected nonprofits. These platforms then permit customers to seek for related volunteer openings volunteer grant databases allow nonprofits to earn extra worth from their packages.

A volunteer grant database supplies nonprofits and volunteers with details about company giving and CSR packages associated to volunteering. These databases permit volunteers to seek for their employers and uncover the next particulars:

• Their program eligibility. If an employer gives volunteer grants or VTO, a volunteer grant database will present related details about this system. This contains which workers are eligible. As an example, an organization would possibly present volunteer grants to all workers, however solely full-time workers are eligible for VTO.
• Program necessities. Each firm has its personal volunteer grant necessities, making it difficult for nonprofits to offer steerage to volunteers. A volunteer grant database might help supporters discover related info, resembling what number of hours they should volunteer, what kinds of nonprofits are eligible, and when they should submit their volunteer grant utility.
• Subsequent steps. Discovering if a supporter is eligible for a volunteer grant or VTO is nice. However what do they do subsequent? Search for a volunteer grant database that gives hyperlinks to related kinds and pages supporters can comply with to take the following steps to use instantly after confirming their eligibility.

Volunteer grants and VTO earn your nonprofit extra income and extra volunteers. Many eligible supporters are unaware these initiatives exist, not to mention in the event that they qualify. By bringing them to your supporters’ consideration, your volunteer program will turn out to be much more priceless.

Bonus: Our advisable volunteer grant database supplier!

At present, the highest volunteer grant database available on the market is 360MatchPro’s Volunteer Hub. 360MatchPro initially specialised in matching reward software program, however the volunteer hub expands its choices to offer customers with info on neglected volunteer grants and VTO alternatives.

A number of of 360MatchPro’s prime options embrace:

• Complete database. 360MatchPro’s matching reward database covers 99.68% of all match-eligible donors. This similar comprehensiveness applies to the volunteer arm of the database, that means your entire eligible supporters ought to have the ability to discover their employers’ info simply.
• Person-friendly search course of. 360MatchPro’s search software is straightforward to embed on any web page of your web site, together with your volunteer registration kind. Use it to seize your volunteers’ employer information so you’ll be able to streamline the search course of and determine in the event that they qualify for volunteer grants or VTO.
• Intensive integrations. Likelihood is that you’ll use your volunteer grant database alongside your volunteer administration software program. 360MatchPro has over 100 integrations with varied CRMs, volunteer administration platforms, and donation instruments, that means likelihood is you’ll have the ability to add it to your present tech stack with ease.

Get began with 360MatchPro’s Volunteer Hub by scheduling a demo to debate its potential advantages to your nonprofit.Double the Donation’s full information.

Peer-to-Peer Software program

Peer-to-peer campaigns are a singular sort of volunteer initiative. Whereas volunteers usually assist with varied fundraisers, in a peer-to-peer marketing campaign, volunteers primarily run their very own fundraising campaigns in your behalf.

As a singular sort of program, peer-to-peer campaigns require specialised software program. A number of particular options embrace:

• Marketing campaign web page creation. Peer-to-peer campaigns succeed as a result of volunteers are capable of create distinctive donation pages that share their private tales. This enables their family and friends to offer in assist of their beloved one relatively than a nonprofit they could be unfamiliar with. Select a peer-to-peer answer that lets your volunteers add their very own images, share their tales, and even add movies.
• Social sharing choices. Most trendy peer-to-peer campaigns function on-line and make heavy use of social media platforms like Fb and Instagram. Your volunteers ought to have the ability to simply share their marketing campaign pages and updates on social media to advertise their fundraiser to associates, household, and followers.
• Information and analytics. Like all volunteer program, it’s helpful to have a hen’s eye view of your volunteers’ actions. Use your platform’s information and analytics instruments to trace how every volunteer’s marketing campaign is performing so you’ll be able to step in to help, present encouragement, or provide congratulations.

Peer-to-peer campaigns straddle the strains between being fundraisers and volunteer initiatives. As such, you’ll possible discover software program guides and marketing campaign suggestions categorized beneath each volunteer and fundraising administration.

Regardless, search for software program that allows volunteers to share their distinctive message and fundraise in your behalf with confidence.

Bonus: Peer-to-peer volunteer administration suggestions!

Peer-to-peer volunteers function pretty independently by managing their very own outreach after getting their marketing campaign pages stay. Nonetheless, that doesn’t imply your volunteers ought to completely deal with it alone. Enhance your peer-to-peer campaigns by:

• Offering branded property. When you ought to encourage peer-to-peer volunteers to design their very own marketing campaign pages and outreach content material, doing so with out steerage can result in a hodgepodge of messages that don’t characterize your model nicely. As an alternative, share your nonprofit’s fashion information with them, in addition to a library of branded pictures and property they will use, resembling your emblem and professionally taken images of your packages.
• Utilizing gamification instruments. Interact your volunteers by turning fundraising right into a sport. Some peer-to-peer platforms have gamification instruments that do issues like award volunteers badges and factors for hitting milestones, resembling elevating a specific amount. Some even function leaderboards, letting your volunteers have interaction in pleasant competitors with each other.
• Checking in routinely. Make sure that your volunteers know they’re not fundraising alone. Have your volunteer supervisor examine in with them usually to reply questions, troubleshoot issues, and supply encouragement. This won’t solely enhance volunteers’ campaigns but additionally guarantee volunteers really feel supported by your nonprofit.

Like with any volunteer initiative, you also needs to thank your volunteers for his or her exhausting work. Many nonprofits finish their peer-to-peer campaigns with work with expertise consultants, and prepare your workers to make use of your new platform.

Request demos to your prime volunteer software program candidates. Throughout these classes, ask questions not simply concerning the software program however about how the seller will assist you. Search for distributors who present quick technical assist, coaching, and in depth useful resource libraries.

Extra Volunteer Assets

Volunteer software program can elevate your nonprofit’s operations by streamlining volunteer recruitment, administration, and income era. Discover the number of volunteer platforms accessible to seek out options that suit your nonprofit’s want.

For extra volunteering and software program assets, take a look at these guides: