5 Volunteer Staffing Challenges in Nonprofit Thrift Stores

2025-09-08T12:31:33-04:00

Volunteers keep the wheels of your nonprofit thrift store turning. They sort donations, man the registers, organize shelves, and foster positive connections with customers. Still, managing volunteers can be challenging, from coordinating schedules to providing clear communication to showing appreciation for their efforts. Even if you have perfect volunteers and a stellar program, retention and recruitment are perpetual hurdles for any nonprofit. To help you prepare for and respond to the volunteer staffing challenges, we’ll explore the most common difficulties that nonprofit thrift stores face, why they happen, and practical steps to overcome them. 1. Recruiting Enough Volunteers Consistently Recruitment is [...]

5 Volunteer Staffing Challenges in Nonprofit Thrift Stores2025-09-08T12:31:33-04:00

VTO Myths Debunked: Understanding Volunteer Time Off

2025-09-08T10:15:38-04:00

Volunteer Time Off (VTO) programs are one of the fastest-growing forms of corporate philanthropy. Through these initiatives, businesses give employees paid time off to volunteer with nonprofits of their choice. For nonprofits, that means new volunteer hours, professional expertise, and even additional funding opportunities through volunteer grants. But while the potential is significant, many nonprofits hesitate to embrace VTO. They may assume programs are rare, too complicated to manage, or not worth the effort. As a result, nonprofits sometimes miss out on connecting with ready and willing volunteers who want to make a difference. In this article, we’ll explore and debunk [...]

VTO Myths Debunked: Understanding Volunteer Time Off2025-09-08T10:15:38-04:00

How to Organize Service Projects That Inspire Young Hearts

2025-08-15T12:09:02-04:00

The future of charitable giving is never certain. Donor behaviors are constantly changing, and questions loom about how to engage upcoming generations of potential supporters. That’s why event organizers tailor their appeals to connect willing supporters with opportunities that interest them. Young people have a strong, growing desire to give, making them an ideal audience for service projects and volunteer events. Generation Z, for example, has been dubbed “the most influential generation for the future of fundraising,” with 57% of its members accounting for donations in their yearly budgets and 40% reducing their spending so they can give to nonprofits. Inspiring [...]

How to Organize Service Projects That Inspire Young Hearts2025-08-15T12:09:02-04:00

5 Effective Strategies for Recruiting School Volunteers

2025-03-26T18:16:18-04:00

With 86% of public schools struggling to hire teachers and 44% of educators reporting feeling burned out, schools—and their students—are in serious need of additional support. As a school administrator or educator yourself, you’re likely all too familiar with long hours and a never-ending list of daily tasks. To effectively tackle initiatives like school fundraisers, enrichment programs, and schoolwide improvement strategies, you need the helping hands of volunteers from your community. In this guide, we’ll explore top tips for recruiting a robust volunteer community, as well as suggestions to help you manage and retain your volunteers. Let’s get started! 1. [...]

5 Effective Strategies for Recruiting School Volunteers2025-03-26T18:16:18-04:00

5 Tips for Recruiting Volunteers for Product Fundraisers

2024-07-25T13:18:56-04:00

Whether you’re selling flower bulbs, popcorn, cookie dough, candles, or something else entirely, a product fundraiser is a great way to engage your supporters and earn money for your cause. Since donors receive something in exchange for their donations, they’ll be more inclined to contribute—creating a win-win situation for all. To plan and run these campaigns, you need a strong team of volunteers. In this guide, we’ll provide tips for how you can create a comprehensive volunteer recruitment strategy to make your product fundraiser a success. 1. Clearly define volunteer roles. Like any job or volunteer position you’re recruiting for, it’s [...]

5 Tips for Recruiting Volunteers for Product Fundraisers2024-07-25T13:18:56-04:00

How to Recruit and Retain Volunteers in Children’s Ministry

2024-07-15T15:22:40-04:00

In any of your church’s programs, volunteers are essential to fulfilling the roles that make your ministry possible. Securing this support involves more than just attracting volunteers, though. As a children’s ministry leader, you must cultivate relationships with volunteers, offer a positive experience, and ultimately retain their support for the long haul. Before you choose a children’s Bible curriculum or plan your program’s themes, building a strong team of loyal volunteers is one of the first steps you should take toward all your ministry’s goals. Let’s look at the four R’s of recruiting and retaining volunteers for your children’s ministry. 1. [...]

How to Recruit and Retain Volunteers in Children’s Ministry2024-07-15T15:22:40-04:00

Volunteer Retention: 5 Tips for Earning Long-Term Support

2024-06-03T15:36:49-04:00

Whether you’re planning an advocacy campaign, a new program, or an online donation drive, your nonprofit needs volunteers. But are the volunteers you recruit sticking around? Volunteer recruitment is a challenge for many nonprofits, but fortunately, there’s a simple solution: keep as many of the volunteers you currently have as possible. Of course, this is easier said than done unless you have a reliable volunteer retention strategy. To help your nonprofit create just that, we’ll explore some tips for cultivating long-term volunteer support. But first, let’s dive into just why retaining volunteers matters so much. Why does volunteer retention matter? Volunteer retention [...]

Volunteer Retention: 5 Tips for Earning Long-Term Support2024-06-03T15:36:49-04:00

Planning a Grassroots Advocacy Campaign for Your Nonprofit

2024-03-26T13:05:11-04:00

To further your nonprofit’s mission, sometimes you need to take direct action. Whether that means creating a public petition or hosting a rally to draw attention to your cause, your supporters will play a vital role in the success of your chosen advocacy efforts. That’s why many organizations choose to launch grassroots campaigns — advocacy initiatives designed to encourage large numbers of supporters at the local level to advocate for change. This article will explore the basics of grassroots advocacy and the steps your nonprofit can take to plan your own campaign. What is a grassroots advocacy campaign? Grassroots advocacy campaigns are organized efforts that [...]

Planning a Grassroots Advocacy Campaign for Your Nonprofit2024-03-26T13:05:11-04:00

Acts of Service: How Volunteering Supports Your Faith

2023-11-06T11:42:27-05:00

Imagine this: You see an advertisement for a nonprofit with a compelling case for support. The organization’s mission resonates with you and you’re deeply moved by their work. If you’re looking for a practical way to align your faith with your support for this cause, volunteering is a great way to do it. In this guide, we’ll explore three ways you can support a nonprofit cause and strengthen your personal faith: Connect with like-minded believers Put your faith into practice Gain a sense of purpose If the nonprofit’s mission aligns with your religious beliefs, you’ll find fulfilling work through volunteer opportunities [...]

Acts of Service: How Volunteering Supports Your Faith2023-11-06T11:42:27-05:00

4 DIY Fundraising Ideas to Share With Your Volunteers

2022-11-03T15:42:27-04:00

More and more nonprofits are implementing DIY (do-it-yourself) fundraising in their yearly fundraising strategy–and for good reason! DIY fundraising offers your nonprofit a more hands-off approach and gives the reins to your most loyal supporters. In turn, your supporters can create an engaging, creative campaign that pulls in more support for your nonprofit! This style of peer-to-peer fundraising can boost your organization’s revenue, expand your reach, and help your supporters feel more connected to your organization. According to the 2022 Giving Experience Study, social giving–which includes DIY and peer-to-peer fundraising– continues to grow. 1 in 3 US adults said they [...]

4 DIY Fundraising Ideas to Share With Your Volunteers2022-11-03T15:42:27-04:00
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