3 Kinds 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, helping with fundraisers, spreading awareness, and usually lending their time and power to assist your group. Nonetheless, managing a crew 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 varieties 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 profit from every platform. Particularly, we’ll cowl:

First, let’s handle the basics of volunteer software program. If that is your first time investing in the sort of 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 submit volunteer alternatives. It additionally contains platforms that permit volunteers to finish particular duties, resembling fundraising on a nonprofit’s behalf.

Bear in mind that numerous volunteer software program options embody totally different options. For instance, even when two distributors each provide 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. Nonetheless, as your volunteer program grows, so will its stage of complexity. With extra volunteers, applications, and duties, nonprofits can profit vastly 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 monitors data associated to your volunteer program. This lets you perceive what sources you could have at your disposal, how they’re getting used, and in the event that they might be higher allotted. For instance, you would possibly discover sure applications are at capability for volunteers whereas others want extra assist. On this case, you possibly can edit your schedule to repair this discrepancy.
• Improve volunteer retention. By operating an organized volunteer program the place supporters obtain immediate communication and clear path, you’re extra prone to have returning volunteers.
• Launch specialised applications. Sure varieties of volunteer initiatives require software program to operate. For instance, if you happen to plan to supply digital volunteering alternatives, you’ll probably want software program to attach with these supporters and assign duties.

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

Is volunteer software program free?

Volunteer software program is obtainable at quite a lot of value factors. Some options might 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 choice that gives core administration options, resembling time monitoring and calendar administration.

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

Varied volunteer management software platforms concentrate on totally 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 data. Some CRMs additionally present profile administration options for non-donors, resembling volunteers, however devoted volunteer administration platforms are probably to supply extra strong choices. Search for platforms that permit you to simply construct volunteer profiles, search your database for particular people, and retailer your supporters’ data securely.
• Scheduling. Planning and managing volunteer shifts is crucial 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 operating easily, volunteer managers might want to coordinate with quite a few supporters to supply path, guarantee shifts are stuffed, and reply questions. Your volunteer software program ought to support this course of with communication instruments, resembling the flexibility to contact volunteers through a number of channels (like electronic mail, textual content messaging, and volunteer app notifications) and computerized messaging (like upcoming shift reminders).
• Reporting. Reporting instruments assist you make sense of your information to find out the place your volunteer program is succeeding and what might be improved. As an example, all volunteer administration software program ought to have fundamental hours monitoring instruments. You would possibly use this data to find out which occasions of 12 months your nonprofit has the best volunteer capability.

When assessing volunteer administration software program, contemplate your nonprofit’s wants. Some organizations could be searching for an out-of-the-box answer 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 pay attention to 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 accountability (CSR) applications usually use software to handle these initiatives.

CSR applications embody grantmaking, sponsorships, in-kind donations, and worker volunteer initiatives. Some examples of corporate volunteer programs are:

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

To encourage worker volunteering and observe volunteer initiatives’ outcomes, companies use CSR software program. These instruments permit staff to report their volunteer hours, submit volunteer grant functions, and request VTO. With some platforms, staff 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 staff. 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 supplies 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 provides volunteer grants or VTO, a volunteer grant database will present related details about this system. This contains which staff are eligible. As an example, an organization would possibly present volunteer grants to all staff, 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 may help supporters discover related data, resembling what number of hours they should volunteer, what varieties 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 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 useful.

Bonus: Our really useful volunteer grant database supplier!

Presently, the highest volunteer grant database available on the market is Double the Donation Volunteering. Double the Donation initially specialised in matching present software program, however the volunteer performance expands its choices to supply customers with data on ignored volunteer grants and VTO alternatives.

A couple of of Double the Donation’s high options embody:

• Complete database. Double the Donation’s matching gift database covers 99.68% of all match-eligible donors. This similar comprehensiveness applies to the volunteer arm of the database, that means your whole eligible supporters ought to be capable of discover their employers’ data simply.
• Consumer-friendly search course of. 360MatchPro’s search instrument 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 possibly can streamline the search course of and establish 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 numerous CRMs, volunteer administration platforms, and donation instruments, that means chances are high you’ll be capable of add it to your present tech stack with ease.

Get began with Double the Donation Volunteering by scheduling a demo to debate its potential advantages to your nonprofit.

Acquire 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 complete guide.

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 basically run their very own fundraising campaigns in your behalf.

As a singular kind of program, peer-to-peer campaigns require specialised software program. A couple of particular options embody:

• 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 somewhat than a nonprofit they could be unfamiliar with. Select a peer-to-peer answer that lets your volunteers add their very own photographs, 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 Facebook and Instagram. Your volunteers ought to be capable of simply share their marketing campaign pages and updates on social media to advertise their fundraiser to buddies, household, and followers.
• Knowledge and analytics. Like all volunteer program, it’s helpful to have a chook’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 help, present encouragement, or provide congratulations.

Peer-to-peer campaigns straddle the strains between being fundraisers and volunteer initiatives. As such, you’ll probably discover software program guides and marketing campaign suggestions categorized below 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 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. Whilst 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 style guide with them, in addition to a library of branded photos and property they will use, resembling your emblem and professionally taken photographs 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, resembling elevating a specific amount. Some even characteristic leaderboards, letting your volunteers have interaction in pleasant competitors with each other.
• Checking in routinely. Be certain your volunteers know they’re not fundraising alone. Have your volunteer supervisor verify in with them recurrently to reply questions, troubleshoot issues, and supply encouragement. This won’t solely enhance volunteers’ campaigns but in addition guarantee volunteers really feel supported by your nonprofit.

Like with any volunteer initiative, you must also thank your volunteers for his or her arduous work. Many nonprofits finish their peer-to-peer campaigns with an occasion as a closing 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. In the event 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 technology 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 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 circulation 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 to your high volunteer software program candidates. Throughout these periods, ask questions not simply in regards to 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 search out options that suit your nonprofit’s want.

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