Volunteers

Labeling a campaign volunteer a "storyteller" blurs what is expected of the annual-fund volunteers — that they ask for a gift.

How are you going to approach fundraising? From the Magnificent Side or from the Dark Side?

So many organizations carry volunteers who are burned out, tuned out and left the organization mentally some time ago. You need to say goodbye to them with grace and praise, plus begin to recruit fresh blood ASAP. You also must do everything possible to love your volunteers and know each person well enough to understand each individual's needs and wants.

Fundraising is a complicated arena because it requires multiple relationships, balancing priorities. But sometimes — like retaining donors — we miss the opportunities right at our feet.

I now see the beauty in finishing second, as many teams never receive a plaque or trophy for their efforts. The goal of sports should be to teach good sportsmanship. Children and adults like to be recognized for their efforts, regardless of outcome. The coaches, umpires, parents of players, fans and others volunteer their time to promote a spirit of good will and enjoyment so all can enjoy. As for the young players, by promoting a fun environment for them to enjoy, they might grow up to be future volunteers and donors for many organizations. We need to make baseball and any activity fun for children. The future of philanthropy depends on it.

Tara Morgan, chief relationship officer at the George Pocock Rowing Foundation, found herself needing to personally connect with thousands of donors while working for the Seattle International Film Festival. And she needed to do it in a span of 25 days.

As you’ll see in the video, there was no way she would be able to personally touch every donor, so she had to bring in help. You’ll learn how she created a small army of ambassadors to help her.

Marketing agency Achieve and the Case Foundation developed a study on millennials. They thoroughly analyzed this generation’s participation in and connection to causes and nonprofit organizations. Based on the findings from this fantastic report, I came up with eight ways that nonprofits can engage millennial donors and volunteers. 1. Keep your information updated. 2. Make everything mobile-friendly. 3. Use social media and make your content shareable. 4. Don't forget email. 5. Provide multiple donation options. 6. Be authentic. 7. Provide unique ways to get involved. 8. Treat millennials like your other donors and volunteers.

Here are a few things today's volunteer has a right to expect from you — master these and you will have happy volunteers. Volunteers want you to be prepared for them, to feel welcomed, good training, to do interesting work, to know up front how much time the job will take, to be appreciated, you to communicate with them well and often, to know that they are helping to make the world a better place, to be socially connected, and to learn something.

Recent reports indicate good signs for 2014 fundraising. Despite the collective optimism for fundraising success, nonprofits must overcome a number of hurdles to get there. Here are some stats and three ways your nonprofit can drive giving gains this year.

Volunteering in the U.S. hit a new low last year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. As of September 2013, 25.4 percent of all Americans 16 and older had volunteered with an organization at least once in the prior year, according to a new report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is the lowest rate of volunteering the annual report has found since it was first conducted in 2002, and the latest year-over-year change is statistically significant, according to a BLS economist.