Every nonprofit has that project which is both vital to the organization but beyond their reach. It might be a new accounting system, a website upgrade, a fundraising strategy, or a complete strategic plan. That project is always on the to-do list but there is never the time or knowledge to begin working on it. It would be great to just hire a consultant and turn them loose, but who has the money for that? Let me introduce you to skills-based volunteering which can be provided through specialized volunteer-matching organizations.

One source of specialized volunteers can come from volunteer-matching organizations which recruit volunteers seeking opportunities for organizations in need of specialized help. Volunteer-matching organizations provide the platform both for nonprofits to post their opportunities and for volunteers to apply for positions while offering logistic help during the lifespan of the program.

Steps to Working with a Volunteer-matching Organization

1. Prepare the Project

The nonprofit should begin preparation for the project before posting with the volunteer matching organization. The organization will want to identify specifics about the expected outcome as well as any resources available for the project. This information will be needed several times during the project lifecycle, so it is best to consider and document details of the project before engaging the matching organization or the volunteer.

2. Post the Opportunity

You are now ready to post the opportunity for interested volunteers to apply. Volunteers will be reviewing and applying for opportunities with multiple nonprofits, so you will be in competition with other organizations for the volunteer’s attention.

3. Participate in the Project

You have been successfully matched with a volunteer of outstanding abilities and are now ready to begin the project. You will want to make effective use of every minute the volunteer is willing to provide.

4. Close the Project with the Volunteer Matching Organization

The project is complete and you are satisfied that the volunteer has accomplished the agreed-upon tasks. Now you will mark the project as successfully completed and begin laying the groundwork for the next project.

In summary, skills-based volunteering is your opportunity to complete that must-have project. It also allows you to build a relationship with a volunteer who is an expert in exactly what you need. I have tried to emphasize that this project-based approach is going to be different than what your staff has done before. Hopefully, your staff will be able to apply some of the lessons to other problems. The volunteer will finish with an interesting experience and, possibly, some new skill sets acquired throughout the course of the project. Many nonprofit clients return to the volunteer-matching organization for other projects and other volunteers.

Be sure to stay in touch with your volunteer as it is not unusual to have follow-up questions or issues. It is also not unknown for skills-based volunteers to donate or serve on the boards of client nonprofits.

Read the full article about skills-based volunteering by Jan Hertzschat Blue Avocado.