VolunteerHub
  • Platform
    VolunteerHub automates and streamlines, so you can concentrate on making a difference and driving your organization’s mission forward.
    • Platform Features
    VolunteerHub Overview Video
    Watch Overview 1:50
    • Volunteer Management
      • campaign Volunteer Recruitment
      • calendar_month Volunteer Scheduling
      • track_changes Volunteer Hour Tracking
      • storage Volunteer Database
      • paid Volunteer Fundraising
      • receipt_long Volunteer Liability Waivers
      • stars Rewards and Recognition
      • add_chart Reporting
    • Opportunity Management
      • vertical_split Landing Pages
      • task_alt Check-In
      • view_module Multi-Event Editor
      • move_up Configurable Forms
      • lan Group Organization
    • Volunteer Communication
      • mark_email_read Email Messaging
      • sms Text Messaging
      • share Social Media
    • Client Success
      • checklist Onboarding
      • school Training
  • Solutions
    VolunteerHub simplifies processes and removes friction for both coordinators and volunteers, saving your organization valuable time and resources.
    • Software Benefits
    VolunteerHub Overview Video
    Watch Overview 1:50
    • By Need
      • timer Save Time and Effort
      • extension Integrate with Existing Platforms
      • favorite Improve Volunteer Experience
      • show_chart Boost Volunteer Engagement
      • handshake Build Community Partnership
      • list_alt Consolidate Data Management
    • By Initiative
      • pets Animal Rights
      • music_note Arts and Culture
      • sports_football Athletics
      • bookmark Cause/Cure
      • forest Conservation
      • school Education
      • food_bank Food Banks
      • local_hospital Hospitals
      • attribution Human Rights
      • support Human Services
      • local_library Libraries
      • volunteer_activism Nonprofits
      • campaign Political Campaigns
      • account_balance Public Service
      • church Religious Organizations
  • Pricing
  • Resources
    VolunteerHub provides a bevy of resources to help you succeed in nonprofit and volunteer management.
    • All Resources
    VolunteerHub Overview Video
    Watch Overview 1:50
    • slow_motion_video Software Overview Video
    • menu_book The Book on Volunteer Management
    • format_quote Case Studies
    • rss_feed Blog
    • podcasts Podcast
    • upcoming Product Updates
  • About
    Over the last 20+ years, VolunteerHub has helped thousands of organizations manage billions of volunteer hours.
    • About VolunteerHub
    VolunteerHub Overview Video
    Watch Overview 1:50
    • groups Team
    • handshake Partners
    • work Careers
  • Support
  • Request Demo
Blog
Best Practices 2 min read

How to Encourage Repeat Volunteerism

Eric Burger March 2, 2015
Share this
Repeat Volunteers

Volunteers, the lifeblood of 85% of nonprofit organizations in the US, are becoming a rare species.

In fact, “regular” volunteers can be so hard to discover that Software Advice surveyed to see what might get a volunteer to keep coming back. The results offer a few practical reminders about how to keep volunteers engaged.

In this post, we’ll explore what the survey’s findings mean for your organization.

Be Flexible

27% of volunteers said they would return if offered flexible volunteering schedules. Aside from dropping in when they have some free time, a significant number cited the importance of being able to choose their roles.

volunteers repeat volunteerism scheduling

The importance of volunteer engagement cannot be understated. To keep volunteers engaged – and coming back – several organizations reported that introducing volunteer scheduling software (in which volunteers could self-register for events) can be an effective strategy. Volunteers appreciate the flexibility of browsing and self-registering for events.

Let Volunteers Know Their Work Counts

24% of the sample group said that they would come back if they could make an impact. We all want to know that our hard work counts, especially when we’re using personal time to make a difference.

Aside from your volunteers hearing from beneficiaries, offering a heartfelt thank-you or other incentives encourages them to become repeat volunteers.

Add Value

One often neglected motivator for volunteers is career incentives. Any work-related experience that might benefit their careers is an extremely desirable bonus for 23% of respondents, and it also raises your reputation as an organization.

Offering roles that focus on specific skills, continuing education credits, or a reference letter are great opportunities for volunteers to show future employers or educational institutions.

Commit to the Cause

The most loyal volunteers care about your cause. Focus on effectively communicating your cause, and you will inspire your volunteers to come back again. Demonstrate your commitment by sharing inspirational stories and focusing on the impact on your community. Make sure the spotlight is not always on your organization – but instead on the people you serve.

Create a Community

Many volunteers simply enjoy the experience of meeting new people, making new friends, and learning new things. 29% of respondents identified casual volunteer meet-ups and events to be the most appealing part of volunteerism.

volunteer drop in meet ups

Foster and grow this sense of community, creating a dedicated and close-knit group of volunteers – the sort where everyone knows everyone else’s name. Throw parties to celebrate their achievements, hold training sessions and meet-ups, and highlight their successes both as individuals and as a group.

Finding volunteers is one challenge. Getting them to come back is another one. By focusing on volunteer engagement, your nonprofit can drastically increase the likelihood that people will keep coming back.

  Check Out Our Additional Resources VolunteerHub provides a bevy of resources to help you succeed in volunteer recruitment, engagement, and management.       


Topics Discussed

  • Best Practices

Related Posts

3 min read 4 Tips for Recruiting and Engaging Virtual Volunteers
Recruiting Virtual Volunteers in 2021
2 min read 4 Ways to Measure Volunteer Program ROI
volunteer program ROI
2 min read 5 Tips for Engaging Lapsed Volunteers
volunteers working together outdoors

Subscribe to Our Blog

Subscribe to receive email notifications every time we publish new insights, news, and thought leadership to our blog.

Subscribe Here!

symbol-full-color
Contact Us

877.482.3340

media@volunteerhub.com

  • Platform
  • Solutions
  • Pricing
  • Resources
  • About
  • Support
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Copyright Management
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube
  • Vimeo
©2025 BetterGood. All rights reserved.