Just like there are various reasons people volunteer, there are many reasons volunteers stay or leave organizations. Some things that motivate volunteers to stay include enjoyment, a sense of contribution, and pride in the cause. On the contrary, reasons volunteers leave include unmet expectations (motivational needs, unexpected tasks, etc.) and time constraints.
Ask yourself: Is your nonprofit organization providing volunteers with challenging, fulfilling tasks? Do your volunteers feel their contributions matter to your organization’s mission?
Creating fulfilling volunteer opportunities does not have to be challenging or complicated. For example, consider providing volunteers opportunities for growth and advancement within your organization. Making small changes to your volunteer structure, leveraging the input collected by aligning with your community, and providing ongoing value can help your organization attract and retain more volunteers.
