Are You Ready for Grassroots Fundraising?

Volunteers can make or break your nonprofit

On a national level, many nonprofits don't rely on volunteers other than to stuff letters or help with other office functions. On a local level, they are the lifeblood of your organization. They make the events happen. They provide "staff" when you can't afford to hire any. They recruit new donors. And they are brand ambassadors for your organization. Making sure your volunteers have an experience that is meaningful and enjoyable is critical. If a volunteer feels unappreciated or mistreated, he or she will tell others — and those "others" are also your neighbors. Your reputation in the community can be rapidly smeared by one unhappy volunteer. On the other hand, an engaged and energized volunteer 
could be the PR machine your organization can't afford to hire.