71. Partnering with Funders to Support Volunteer Engagement with Jane Justis & Betsy McFarland
Aug 17, 2023
57:43
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Quick takeaways
Nonprofits need to align strategic goals with volunteer roles for maximum impact.
Nonprofits should seek support from funders for volunteer engagement by positioning it as an investment that aligns with funders' interests and goals.
Deep dives
The Importance of Strategic Volunteer Engagement
One of the main insights from the podcast episode is the importance of strategic volunteer engagement. Nonprofits need to recognize that volunteers are not just an extra set of hands, but partners in the mission and can greatly expand impact and maximize mission accomplishments. Nonprofits should focus on aligning their strategic goals with volunteer roles and understanding the transformative power of volunteerism in communities. Additionally, it is crucial for nonprofits to have their own house in order, breaking down silos and ensuring top-level support for volunteer engagement. They should also learn how to tell a compelling story about their impact and make a compelling case to funders, linking volunteer engagement to the overall mission and goals of the organization.
Challenges and Obstacles in Approaching Funders
One of the challenges nonprofits face in seeking support for volunteer engagement is the assumption that funders are not interested in funding volunteer capacity building. Nonprofits often hesitate to ask funders for support in this area, assuming they won't fund it. However, research has shown that there are funders who are interested and committed to funding strategic volunteer engagement. To overcome these challenges, nonprofits should start the conversation with funders they already have relationships with, seek their advice and educate them about the value and impact of volunteer engagement. Nonprofits should also position their ask as an investment that aligns with the funders' interests and goals, showing how funding volunteer engagement can contribute to the overall mission and generate lasting impact.
Tips for Seeking Support from Funders
When seeking support from funders for volunteer engagement, nonprofits should ensure their own house is in order by breaking down silos and establishing top-level support for volunteer services. It is crucial to tell a compelling story about the impact of volunteerism, going beyond numbers and highlighting the transformation that occurs in communities and within volunteers themselves. Nonprofits should understand the funder's interests and requirements and weave their ask into what the funder is already funding, aligning volunteer engagement with the funders' priorities. Asking for specific support, such as funding for volunteer software or professional manager positions, can also be effective. Nonprofits should also make use of resources like the Liddy Foundation's guides for both funders and nonprofits to build a common language and initiate conversations about volunteer engagement.
Exciting Developments in the Year Ahead
Looking ahead, the podcast guests are excited to see the impact of their work in promoting strategic volunteer engagement. They hope to see more organizations recognizing the importance of volunteerism and integrating it into their strategic plans and decision-making processes. They aim to embed the concept of strategic volunteer engagement as a best practice, where it is seen as an essential part of organizational sustainability and mission accomplishment. They plan to nurture and develop early adopters, build case studies, and continue disseminating resources and insights to funders and nonprofit organizations. Ultimately, they believe that strategic volunteer engagement can contribute to rebuilding communities at a local, national, and global level, and they are excited about the potential for positive change in the year ahead.
In this episode, Tobi explores the fascinating world of partnering with funders to support volunteer engagement. We will learn about the critical role of capacity building for nonprofits, the importance of aligning strategic goals with volunteer roles, and the need for improved communication, marketing, recruitment, and volunteer experience to meet the expectations of today's selective volunteers. We have an engaging conversation with experts and today's guests are Jane Leighty and Betsy McFarland.
Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.
For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.
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