How do I make my volunteers feel like they're important?

One of the biggest challenges to any nonprofit organization is keeping their members motivated and engaged. All our members are here for the same purpose, furthering our mission of keeping our child’s memory alive through service to others. But what that looks like may differ from person to person. 

We all have those members we know will show up for every meeting and every event and some of us have members we have never met in person. It’s really difficult for our members who are in states where there aren’t organized chapters or leadership to feel connected and like they’re making a difference. 

As virtual meetings have become more and more popular post-COVID, a new element has been added to the mix. Meeting in person is important because it facilitates stronger relationships, more effective communication through non-verbal cues, increases engagement and better collaboration, and can lead to more productive brainstorming sessions compared to virtual meetings, allowing for a deeper understanding and connection between individuals involved. Plus, who doesn’t love the hugs or handshakes (or whatever is your accepted contact policy)?

While we have sought to provide opportunities for our members to engage in service projects from the comfort of their own homes, human interaction is important. All of us, not just our leadership, have a responsibility to make other members feel rewarded and that they are an important part of the chapter.

One of my goals for the second half of our 2024-2025 term is to focus on outreaching to our members without leadership and hopefully get them reorganized and meeting, even if it is only virtually.
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Here are some tips, tricks, strategies – insert your own “buzz word” – for revitalizing your sphere of influence. Many thanks to Nonprofithub.org for allowing us to share their site. They have lots of resources to help you take steps to increase your impact. Share your thoughts, tips, tricks, etc., with us!

Patti Elliott
National President

nonprofit hub

​Tips to Motivate Your Volunteers and Keep Them Coming Back

Say Thanks

Whenever you thank your volunteers, always be sure that you’re showing honest and genuine appreciation. By showing them how much their work means to you, you can pave the way for a long-term relationship.

​There are many different ways to say thanks. At the very least, acknowledge them when you see them in person, whether that’s in your workspace or while you’re out and about. Handwritten thank-you notes are another valuable approach. Whatever you do, make sure to follow up their volunteer experience with some words of gratitude. Retaining a volunteer is similar to retaining a donor in this way. By saying thank you, you’ll gain loyal supporters for the long run.

Build a Community

Invite volunteers to join your nonprofit community! Get to know them and make them feel welcome. A neglected volunteer won’t come back, but social connections will keep volunteers tied to your organization and your cause.

​Food is always a great option for getting your community together. Organize a social for your volunteers or have a bite to eat before they get to work on a project. While you’re sharing a meal, you can get to know one another and ask for feedback in person. A few boxes of pizza can go a long way.

Equip Them

Communication is key, especially with new volunteers. Having an open-door policy helps your volunteers do their best work and feel comfortable asking questions. Even if it’s not often, try to communicate with them before and after they volunteer, and allow them to do the same. It might add a few extra emails to your plate, but it’ll help things run smoothly once they’re in the door and ready for action.


Once they’ve arrived to volunteer, introduce them to the people in your space. Make time for a quick hello from some staff members, your executive director and other volunteers before they hit the ground running.
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When you’re ready to get started, explain their task in detail and demonstrate it if necessary. Stick around for a while to be present for questions that might come up, and make yourself available if any other issues arise. Don’t be afraid to give your volunteers a challenging job either! It might take some extra time on the front end, but giving them significant work will make them want to come back again. Sealing envelopes won’t.

Respect Their Time

Don’t invite a volunteer in until you have something for them to do. Letting a volunteer sit around is a waste of your time and theirs. They’re making themselves available for free, so take full advantage of their help while they’re available.
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It’s important to keep in mind that volunteers aren’t your full-time employees. Be considerate and accommodating of their schedules. Be up front about communicating your needs, too. Share how long a task will take, when it’ll be available and when it needs to be done. Providing alternate opportunities is also a great option—it includes your volunteers that have tight schedules but still want to give their time.

Show Impact

Volunteers love seeing the impact their work has made. You can easily do that by giving them a shout-out on social media. Snap a few photos and show some volunteer appreciation to your followers.


Try to brainstorm some other ways to spread the volunteer love! Fill volunteers in on your nonprofit’s goals, or let them know how they helped in a personal email or a community newsletter.


You can also recognize volunteers by rewarding them for their effort. There are lots of creative ways to repay them without having to empty your piggy bank. You can encourage your volunteers to track their hours on Reward Volunteers to earn rewards for their service. By logging their time, volunteers can score prizes for themselves and win money for the nonprofit they serve! Your nonprofit can also get detailed reports on the hours your volunteers are contributing.
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Volunteers are a crucial part of your community, so don’t let them go by the wayside! They’re giving their time to your nonprofit. You should give something in return.
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Keeping your volunteers motivated shows them that you care. That can be done in a lot of ways, like saying thank you, equipping them for meaningful work and inviting them to be a part of your community. By doing even the little things, you’ll keep your volunteers coming back time and time again.