3 Varieties of Volunteer Software program and Instruments Nonprofits Want

Roughly one-third of the nonprofit workforce is volunteers, and these supporters maintain your nonprofit working by finishing program-related duties, helping with fundraisers, spreading consciousness, and usually lending their time and vitality to help your group. Nevertheless, 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 forms of volunteer software program. On this information, we’ll discover three sorts of nonprofit software program centered on volunteers and the way your group can benefit from every platform. Particularly, we’ll cowl:

First, let’s deal with the basics of volunteer software program. If that is your first time investing in this sort of resolution, you’ll have a baseline of what to prioritize.

Volunteer Software program FAQ

What’s volunteer software program?

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

Bear in mind that numerous volunteer software program options embrace completely different options. For instance, even when two distributors each supply volunteer administration software program, one may 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 applications with out software program supporting their efforts. Nevertheless, as your volunteer program grows, so will its degree of complexity. With extra volunteers, applications, 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 sources. Volunteer software program collects and screens information associated to your volunteer program. This lets you perceive what sources you’ve 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 applications are at capability for volunteers whereas others want extra help. On this case, you possibly can edit your schedule to repair this discrepancy.
• Enhance volunteer retention. By working an organized volunteer program the place supporters obtain immediate communication and clear route, you’re extra prone to have returning volunteers.
• Launch specialised applications. Sure forms of volunteer initiatives require software program to operate. For instance, when you plan to supply digital volunteering alternatives, you’ll possible want software program to attach with these supporters and assign duties.

Volunteer software program platforms differ in scale, and completely different nonprofits will want completely different ranges of help. Whereas a smaller nonprofit is likely to be content material utilizing its CRM’s volunteer engagement options, a bigger group might desire a extremely customizable volunteer-specific administration platform.

Is volunteer software program free?

Volunteer software program is out there at a wide range of worth factors. Some options might supply 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 worth factors, together with a free possibility that gives core administration options, resembling time monitoring and calendar administration.

Nevertheless, different fascinating options, like background checks and waivers, require upgrading to a paid plan. Moreover, POINT, like many different volunteer software program suppliers, gives customized pricing options for enterprise-sized nonprofits.

Varied volunteer administration software program platforms concentrate on completely different facets of volunteer administration. Nevertheless, each platform ought to supply these core options:

• Database. Many nonprofits use CRMs, which home donor information, resembling their engagement historical past, contact particulars, and cost 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 will let you simply construct volunteer profiles, search your database for particular people, and retailer your supporters’ info securely.
• Scheduling. Planning and managing volunteer shifts is important for sustaining a practical volunteer program. Assess administration platforms based mostly on their scheduling-related options, resembling calendar creation, shift assigning and claiming processes, and bulk scheduling.
• Communication. To maintain your volunteer program working easily, volunteer managers might want to coordinate with quite a few supporters to offer route, guarantee shifts are stuffed, and reply questions. Your volunteer software program ought to help this course of with communication instruments, resembling the power to contact volunteers through a number of channels (like e-mail, textual content messaging, and volunteer app notifications) and computerized messaging (like upcoming shift reminders).
• Reporting. Reporting instruments enable 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 primary hours monitoring instruments. You would possibly use this info to find out which instances of 12 months your nonprofit has the best volunteer capability.

When assessing volunteer administration software program, contemplate your nonprofit’s wants. Some organizations is likely to be searching for an out-of-the-box resolution with an app volunteers can have interaction with, whereas others would possibly need 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 instances.

Bonus: What are company volunteer administration options?

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

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

• Volunteer grants
• Volunteer day without work (VTO)
• Staff volunteer days
• Mentorships
• Internships

To encourage worker volunteering and observe volunteer initiatives’ outcomes, companies use CSR software program. These instruments enable workers to report their volunteer hours, submit volunteer grant purposes, 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 enable customers to seek for related volunteer openings and even let management spotlight and promote particular volunteer alternatives to workers. Discover high CSR distributors to see if it’s attainable to submit your nonprofit for consideration to get featured in these databases. 

Whereas volunteer administration software program permits your volunteer program to operate, instruments like volunteer grant databases allow nonprofits to earn further worth from their applications.

A volunteer grant database offers nonprofits and volunteers with details about company giving and CSR applications associated to volunteering. These databases enable 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 consists of which workers are eligible. As an example, an organization would possibly present volunteer grants to all workers, however solely full-time employees are eligible for VTO.
• Program necessities. Each firm has its personal volunteer grant necessities, making it difficult for nonprofits to offer steering to volunteers. A volunteer grant database will help supporters discover related info, resembling what number of hours they should volunteer, what forms of nonprofits are eligible, and when they should submit their volunteer grant software.
• 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 types and pages supporters can comply with to take the subsequent steps to use instantly after confirming their eligibility.

Volunteer grants and VTO earn your nonprofit further 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 beneficial volunteer grant database supplier!

Presently, the highest volunteer grant database in the marketplace is 360MatchPro’s Volunteer Hub. 360MatchPro initially specialised in matching present 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 high options embrace:

• Complete database. 360MatchPro’s matching present database covers 99.68% of all match-eligible donors. This identical comprehensiveness applies to the volunteer arm of the database, that means all your eligible supporters ought to have the ability to discover their employers’ info simply.
• Person-friendly search course of. 360MatchPro’s search instrument is simple 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 possibly can streamline the search course of and establish in the event that they qualify for volunteer grants or VTO.
• In depth integrations. Chances are high that you’ll use your volunteer grant database alongside your volunteer administration software program. 360MatchPro has over 100 integrations with numerous 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 in your nonprofit.

Achieve extra volunteers and have extra time to coach and retain them by leveraging VTO. Uncover how one can make the most of VTO in Double the Donation’s full information.

Peer-to-Peer Software program

Peer-to-peer campaigns are a novel kind of volunteer initiative. Whereas volunteers typically assist with numerous fundraisers, in a peer-to-peer marketing campaign, volunteers primarily run their very own fundraising campaigns in your behalf.

As a novel kind 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 in a position to create distinctive donation pages that share their private tales. This permits their family and friends to present in help of their cherished one moderately than a nonprofit they is likely to be unfamiliar with. Select a peer-to-peer resolution 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 mates, household, and followers.
• Knowledge and analytics. Like every 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 possibly can step in to assist, present encouragement, or supply 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 underneath 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. Nevertheless, that doesn’t imply your volunteers ought to completely deal with it alone. Enhance your peer-to-peer campaigns by:

• Offering branded belongings. 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 steering can result in a hodgepodge of messages that don’t symbolize your model effectively. As an alternative, share your nonprofit’s fashion information with them, in addition to a library of branded pictures and belongings they will use, resembling your emblem and professionally taken images of your applications.
• Utilizing gamification instruments. Interact your volunteers by turning fundraising right into a recreation. 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 characteristic leaderboards, letting your volunteers have interaction in pleasant competitors with each other.
• Checking in routinely. Ensure your volunteers know they’re not fundraising alone. Have your volunteer supervisor examine in with them repeatedly to reply questions, troubleshoot issues, and supply encouragement. This is not going to solely enhance volunteers’ campaigns but in addition guarantee volunteers really feel supported by your nonprofit.

Like with any volunteer initiative, you also needs to thank your volunteers for his or her arduous work. Many nonprofits finish their peer-to-peer campaigns with an occasion as a ultimate alternative to fundraise and rejoice volunteers. Take into account handing out awards to top-performing volunteers or thanking your peer-to-peer fundraisers as a complete in speeches all through your occasion.

• Implementation timeline. When you’re investing in a extremely customizable volunteer platform or altering volunteer software program, you’ll possible have a substantial implementation timeline. Make plans emigrate information, work with know-how consultants, and practice your employees to make use of your new platform.
• Onboarding. All volunteers ought to attend an onboarding session earlier than working together with your nonprofit. On this assembly, go over find out how to carry out volunteer duties, who volunteers ought to go to with questions, and what expectations for working together with your nonprofit are. Moreover, if volunteers will use any software program, give them a tutorial on find out how to function it.
• Integrations. Select a volunteer platform that integrates with the remainder of your know-how stack. Software program like 360MatchPro that has many integrations will let information move seamlessly from platform to platform. This implies you possibly can entry information in your volunteers with ease and with out worrying about information getting siloed into one system.

Request demos in your high volunteer software program candidates. Throughout these periods, ask questions not simply concerning the software program however about how the seller will help you. Search for distributors who present quick technical help, 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 obtainable to seek out options that suit your nonprofit’s want.

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