How To Appreciate Your Volunteers on Volunteer Appreciation Day (Or Any Day)

Some, maybe all, nonprofit organizations rely on volunteers, some more than others. Their work would literally not be possible without the good samaritans who come out and support their mission. They raise the funds, deliver the food, foster the animals, plant the trees… According to Independent Sector, an hour of volunteering is worth $31.80, and volunteers contribute nearly $200 billion to their communities annually.

So here are some fun ideas to show your volunteers just how much you appreciate them

  • Say “Thank you”. This one might seem obvious, but I don’t think people get tired of hearing this. So say it often, and be specific. Think about what your volunteers contribute and make your “thank you” personal.

  • Send a “Thank You” card. Put it in writing and your volunteers will know you mean it. If your volunteer group is smaller, you might even be able to make these hand written, which I think is a beautiful gesture. Recruit your whole staff, divide up the task, and get to work. To save some time on this you could get some pre-printed cards and just get your staff to sign them - slightly less personal, but meaningful all the same.

  • Send a text or email. If your organization has a larger volunteer pool, volunteers that don’t commit large quantities of time, or perhaps a younger volunteer pool, a text or email might be a better choice. And if you use any form of automated communications tool, such as Hubspot or MailChimp, it’s as simple as crafting a thoughtful message and choosing the right segment of your contacts.

  • Spring for coffee or snacks. If your volunteers come into your office or you meet them in person for their work this one is for you. Next time you see your volunteers, come prepared with a carafe of coffee or tea. Many coffee shops like Starbucks and Panera offer catering sized containers for just such an occasion. I think pastries and donuts are always a big hit as well.

  • Volunteers are motivated by their belief in your mission and their desire to contribute to their communities. Make sure you give them meaningful opportunities to do this, empower them to use whatever skills they bring to the table, and then make sure they know how much you appreciate them for doing so.

Morgan Deckard