Recent events have changed the way many people view nonprofits and volunteering as a whole. During the pandemic, people could not leave their homes to volunteer, and many took time to educate themselves as a form of social responsibility in its place. Although doors are back open and volunteering in person is coming back, tides are changing in regard to social responsibility, with nearly 60% of Americans stating that companies should be responsible for sharing and promoting social issues, according to a report cited in the NonProfit Times.

So how does this change in behavior affect the way individuals work with nonprofits? And more importantly, as nonprofit leaders, what should we be doing to keep engagement high? As CEO of MEBO International and founder of the Human Heritage Project, I believe it is imperative that nonprofits continue innovating and thinking through the best ways to reach their volunteers because, without them, they may not survive.

For nonprofits looking to adapt their communication efforts and volunteer opportunities to the changing preferences of individuals, the following strategies might help get the ball rolling.

  • Look to successful organizations for advice.
  • Make updates to policies and preferences.
  • Provide surveys to your donor committee for feedback.
  • Include virtual volunteer opportunities.

Read the full article about nonprofit engagment by Kevin Xu at Forbes.