According to early data released in December by Giving Tuesday, nonprofits raised a record-breaking $2.7 billion in the United States, a 9% increase over 2020. To me, this illustrates our collective recognition of the essential contribution of nonprofits.
Moreover, this generosity shows what happens when, together, we contribute to the well-being of our fellow citizens.
Nonprofits must have financial support, but they also need the assistance of eager, expert volunteers. The need for skilled help remains strong, and employees continue to be motivated to contribute valuable skills, even though in-person volunteering has been limited for the last couple of years.
Research shows that all generations support nonprofits, though the values that drive them may vary. Millennials, who comprise 35% of the workforce, want to donate their time and money to organizations whose values they support.
Gen X and older tend to support nonprofits that benefit their local communities. However, regardless of generation, they all value engaging in volunteer activities.
Business recognizes the value of skills-based volunteering (SBV) and pro bono programs.
Companies find these volunteer programs provide myriad benefits to nonprofit partners while meeting their own corporate social responsibility goals. In addition, it provides training and engages employees. I like the easy-to-remember 3Ps: people, the planet, and profit all benefit.
I recently read the article Corporate Volunteerism 2022 Predictions, written by Ben Sampson, co-founder of WeHero. Ben notes, “Volunteering creates empathy and understanding. It’s a way to actively connect with causes, communities, and social groups that employees may not be familiar with.” Building on empathy will continue to build relationships that benefit all of us.
By 2025, Millennials will make up 75% of the global workforce, and they are part of an optimistic and idealistic generation passionate about changing the world. Pro bono and skills-based programs provide that opportunity to make a difference.
In addition, today’s employees want a work environment that challenges them and offers learning, leadership, and connection opportunities. Volunteering can meet all these needs.
You’re convinced SBV is essential. Now what?
We all know that developing any new project requires planning to be effective. Therefore, I suggest these seven steps:
- Confirm that your corporate purpose and mission support the values of SBV.
- Clearly understand the benefits to your company, nonprofit partners, and employees.
- Develop clear, measurable goals for your program.
- Define your program’s scope. For example, will it include group projects, virtual volunteering, in-person events?
- Engage your leadership, human resources, and communications teams.
- Communicate with employees and nonprofit partners, and engage key people with your goals.
- Choose and develop a platform to support your project.
Online platforms will help your program reach its goals.
Corporations need effective software to manage the complex requirements of a skills-based volunteering program. That’s why we created Revere. Our program is easy to set up, deploy, and manage, while connecting nonprofit partners with your volunteer employees.
Let’s face it; we’re all ready for more options in our lives. So, in the spirit of in-person events coming back later in 2022, we plan to add traditional volunteer in-person programs along with the virtual opportunities most people have been pursuing. Employees can choose to pound nails with Habitat for Humanity, experience firsthand the hard work at a local food bank, or provide valuable technical help. Revere supports:
Virtual Volunteering:
- 1:1 Skills-based Volunteering Meetings
- Skills-based Volunteering Team Projects
- Traditional Team Events (Coming in 2022)
In-person Volunteering based upon COVID protocols:
- 1:1 Skills-based Volunteering Meetings
- Skills-based Volunteering Team Project
- Traditional Team Events (Coming in 2022)
When we connect the knowledge, skills, and experience of experts around the world, I believe that great things happen. Let’s not wait. Get in touch today and find out how easy it can be to build your essential volunteer program this year.