National Volunteer Week is coming up April 19-25, 2009 (thanks to Joanne at About.com for the reminder!) This could be a great time for your nonprofit to recognize, show appreciation for and step-up your volunteer organization efforts.
For many groups volunteers are a crucial part of keeping the organization funded. Here are some articles with great insights on the volunteer role in fundraising.
Seeking Volunteer Leaders: Tips for Increasing Women’s Giving at onPhilanthropy
Want Larger Donations? Ask Donors First to Volunteer a great article from AFP
Empower Your Supporters To Fundraise by Nancy E. Schwartz
8 tasks for board members who hate fundraising from Kristen Denzer, Nonprofit SOS
Inspire volunteers, donors with a Behind-the-Scenes Access Tour
There’s no way volunteers will help fundraise if they don’t feel valued by your organization. Earlier this week I posted Drive-in to your volunteer job (like it or not). Also see: Treat Your Volunteers Right by Lori Rice and Handling Volunteer Challenges Gracefully by Carrie Hill.
There are many nonprofits who have team and individual based fundraising as a complete strategy. These volunteers not only raise funds, they are evangelists for the the organization and advocates for a cause.
Here are some posts that profile great volunteer fundraisers:
Mike Abare talks with Firstgiving about why he does fundraising for Doctors Without Borders.
Lynn Smythe recently hosted a Successful Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser to raise funds as a Team in Training member for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Teen raises funds for United Cerebral Palsy of Metro Detroit (UCP/Detroit).
Marathoner Mary McManus raises funds for Spaulding Rehab Hospital.
