3 Sorts of Volunteer Software program and Instruments Nonprofits Want

Roughly one-third of the nonprofit workforce is volunteers, and these supporters preserve your nonprofit working by finishing program-related duties, aiding with fundraisers, spreading consciousness, and usually lending their time and power to help your group. Nevertheless, managing a staff 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 sorts 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 tackle the basics of volunteer software program. If that is your first time investing in one of these resolution, 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, interact, 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, similar to fundraising on a nonprofit’s behalf.

Remember that numerous 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 applications with out software program supporting their efforts. Nevertheless, as your volunteer program grows, so will its stage of complexity. With extra volunteers, applications, and duties, nonprofits can profit drastically 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 will have at your disposal, how they’re getting used, and in the event that they may very well be higher allotted. For instance, you may discover sure applications are at capability for volunteers whereas others want extra help. On this case, you may edit your schedule to repair this discrepancy.
• Enhance volunteer retention. By working an organized volunteer program the place supporters obtain immediate communication and clear course, you’re extra prone to have returning volunteers.
• Launch specialised applications. Sure sorts of volunteer initiatives require software program to operate. For instance, should you plan to supply digital volunteering alternatives, you’ll probably 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 could be content material utilizing its CRM’s volunteer engagement options, a bigger group could want a extremely customizable volunteer-specific administration platform.

Is volunteer software program free?

Volunteer software program is accessible at a wide range of worth 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 worth factors, together with a free choice that gives core administration options, similar to 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, affords customized pricing options for enterprise-sized nonprofits.

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

• Database. Many nonprofits use CRMs, which home donor information, similar to their engagement historical past, contact particulars, and fee info. Some CRMs additionally present profile administration options for non-donors, similar to volunteers, however devoted volunteer administration platforms are probably to supply extra strong choices. Search for platforms that mean you can 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 useful volunteer program. Assess administration platforms primarily based on their scheduling-related options, similar to 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 supply course, guarantee shifts are stuffed, and reply questions. Your volunteer software program ought to support this course of with communication instruments, similar to the flexibility to contact volunteers by way of a number of channels (like electronic mail, textual content messaging, and volunteer app notifications) and automated 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 illustration, all volunteer administration software program ought to have primary hours monitoring instruments. You may use this info to find out which occasions of yr your nonprofit has the very best volunteer capability.

When assessing volunteer administration software program, contemplate your nonprofit’s wants. Some organizations could be in search of an out-of-the-box resolution with an app volunteers can interact with, whereas others may need a customizable platform and complex reporting options. Each vendor has its personal specialties and strengths, so pay attention to 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) applications usually 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 monitor 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 and even let management spotlight and promote particular volunteer alternatives to workers. Discover prime 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 gives nonprofits and volunteers with details about company giving and CSR applications associated to volunteering. These databases permit volunteers to seek for their employers and uncover the next particulars:

• Their program eligibility. If an employer affords volunteer grants or VTO, a volunteer grant database will present related details about this system. This contains which workers are eligible. As an illustration, an organization may 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 supply steerage to volunteers. A volunteer grant database might help supporters discover related info, similar to what number of hours they should volunteer, what sorts 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 kinds and pages supporters can observe to take the following 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 into much more beneficial.

Bonus: Our really helpful 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 supply customers with info on ignored volunteer grants and VTO alternatives.

Just a few of 360MatchPro’s prime options embrace:

• Complete database. 360MatchPro’s matching reward database covers 99.68% of all match-eligible donors. This identical comprehensiveness applies to the volunteer arm of the database, which means your whole 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 may streamline the search course of and establish in the event that they qualify for volunteer grants or VTO.
• Intensive 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, which means chances are high 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.

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

Peer-to-Peer Software program

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

As a singular kind of program, peer-to-peer campaigns require specialised software program. Just a few 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 provide in help of their liked one slightly than a nonprofit they could 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 fashionable 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 pals, household, and followers.
• Information and analytics. Like several 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 may step in to help, present encouragement, or provide congratulations.

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

Regardless, search for software program that permits 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 dwell. 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 steerage can result in a hodgepodge of messages that don’t symbolize your model effectively. As a substitute, share your nonprofit’s model information with them, in addition to a library of branded photographs and belongings they’ll use, similar to your emblem and professionally taken images of your applications.
• Utilizing gamification instruments. Have interaction 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, similar to elevating a specific amount. Some even function leaderboards, letting your volunteers interact in pleasant competitors with each other.
• Checking in routinely. Be certain that your volunteers know they’re not fundraising alone. Have your volunteer supervisor test in with them often 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 arduous work. Many nonprofits finish their peer-to-peer campaigns with an occasion as a remaining alternative to fundraise and have fun volunteers. Contemplate handing out awards to top-performing volunteers or thanking your peer-to-peer fundraisers as an entire in speeches all through your occasion.

• Implementation timeline. In case you’re investing in a extremely customizable volunteer platform or altering volunteer software program, you’ll probably have a substantial implementation timeline. Make plans emigrate information, work with expertise consultants, and prepare 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 tips on 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 tips on how to function it.
• Integrations. Select a volunteer platform that integrates with the remainder of your expertise stack. Software program like 360MatchPro that has many integrations will let information move seamlessly from platform to platform. This implies you may entry information in your volunteers with ease and with out worrying about information getting siloed into one system.

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 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 accessible to search out options that suit your nonprofit’s want.

For extra volunteering and software program assets, try these guides: