If you’re a nonprofit, you will probably need volunteers at some point. And I would guess that you could always use more volunteers for your event or give back opportunity. Maybe you already tried reaching out to your email list without much success and your family has already put in their share of free labor. If that is the case, have no fear, our list of volunteer recruitment websites is here! When you are in need of helping hands, your nonprofit should post these opportunities on platforms where users are already eager and looking to help. Lucky for you, we’ve compiled the best volunteer recruitment websites out there today.
Best Volunteer Recruitment Websites
1. VolunteerMatch
With more than 100,000 nonprofits registered on their volunteer platform, it’s easy for a volunteer to filter by cause and city depending on what they are looking for. Volunteer Match does have a free version, but they also have a premium experience for $99 annually that will get you things like volunteer surveys, analytics, and opportunities to promote your listings.
2. Idealist
Although you’ll need to pay to post a job, it’s totally free to post volunteer opportunities on Idealist. Just sign your organization up and get posting! Idealist is one of the more popular sites on this list getting around 2 million website visits per month.
3. Create the Good
Posting volunteer opportunities on Create the Good is free for nonprofits of all sizes. There is no project limit — small or large — so you can post if you need a big group of volunteers or just a few helping hands.
4. Google Ad Grant
Do you have the Google Ad Grant? Well, if you don’t, you definitely should. And once you have it, use some of your grant money to post volunteer ads. Create a new campaign with volunteer-focused keywords. Make sure to tailor the geo-settings to your volunteer opportunity location!
To get the full list, head over to Whole Whale University and check out the Virtual Volunteer Tools Bundle.
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Volunteer Tools Bundle
Build volunteer relationships, create new opportunities for existing supporters, and develop a donor pipeline.
5. All For Good | Points of Light Engage
Formerly All for Good, Points of Light Engage is free and even allows you to share your opportunities on other sites using their API or free widget. Organizations that are registered may post to the POL network.
6. NextDoor Volunteer Posting
Nextdoor allows for the local posting of volunteering opportunities. This can be created for more informal local activities that may appeal to your neighbors. Remember to follow safety guidelines.
7. Golden
Golden is an award-winning platform for both volunteer recruitment and management. Its services can be used to benefit nonprofits, companies, mutual aid organizations, schools, government organizations, and foundations, among others.
8. Catchafire
Catchafire is great if you need expertise in a specific area. This platform allows you to post your opportunity and industry professionals will provide pro-bono services for things like branding, accounting, copywriting, etc.
How to write a good Volunteer Post
All good volunteer postings have these 7 key elements:
- A clear reason of WHY the work the volunteer work matters.
- A clear and concise description of the volunteer opportunity.
- A specific list of skills or qualifications that are required for the role.
- A detailed explanation of the time commitment required for the position.
- An overview of the organization and its mission, vision, and values.
- A link to a website or other online resource where interested individuals can learn more about the organization and the opportunity.
- WIFM – the volunteer is donating their time, however it is still important to note “what’s in it for me (the volunteer)” (WIFM). Meet new people? Work on a great cause that needs support? Lunches? Learning a new skill?