Embracing Flexibility: How Nonprofits Can Meet the Modern Needs of Volunteers

POSTED ON DECEMBER 31, 2024   BY COBI SHARPE

© DC Central Kitchen

There has been a major shift in volunteer preferences toward flexibility, and embracing that shift could help nonprofits attract and retain volunteers.

Life is busy. Take mid-career professionals, for example. They likely work a 40-hour work week with some overtime hours, they might have a family at home with children in extra curricular activities, or perhaps really young children and one of the parents needs to get home on time to relieve the other from caregiving. Mid-career professionals could be involved in professional memberships that require continuing education to hold a certification or credential.

The Rise of Flexible Volunteering

The world has also changed since the pandemic, offering many folks flexibility in their work arrangements. Maybe they can work from home remotely, or have a hybrid option where they can spend some days working from home and others at the office. With the demand for flexibility from the workplace, it’s only natural that people would expect the same from a volunteer position.

The growing demand for flexibility in volunteering has been driven by work-life balance priorities, and advancements in technology. Here are some key statistics and trends:

  1. Micro-Volunteering on the Rise: Micro-volunteering, which involves short, on-demand tasks requiring minimal commitment is becoming popular. For example, the British Heart Foundation reports that volunteers often drop in for an hour or two without committing to regular schedules. This approach allows nonprofits and charities to recruit more volunteers while adapting to their availability.
  2. Demand for Remote Volunteering: Remote opportunities break geographical barriers and provide access for individuals with mobility challenges or irregular schedules. Tasks could be offering professional expertise from home or supporting causes virtually.
  3. Younger Demographics Seeking Efficiency: Younger volunteers (18-24) expect an efficient recruitment and onboarding process. According to Rosterfy, over a third of this group indicated that quicker onboarding processes would enhance their volunteer experience.
  4. Cultural Shift Toward Flexibility: Many nonprofits have seen an increase in demand for services, yet struggle to recruit volunteers due to lifestyle constraints. Adapting to flexible volunteering models can help meet these challenges, as people juggle work, family, and other commitments.

    How Can You Incorporate Flexibility into Volunteer Programs?

    Offer remote opportunities. This could include virtual mentoring, administrative tasks, or social media management.

    Create short-term or project-based roles. This would allow volunteers to contribute without long-term commitments.

    Encourage self-initiated projects. This could empower volunteers to propose and lead their own initiatives.

    Provide flexible scheduling. The use of tools or apps could help with scheduling shifts.

    Benefits for Nonprofits

    Adapting nonprofit volunteer programs to embrace flexibility could broaden the volunteer pool which could include younger and more diverse demographics. Flexibility could increase engagement and satisfaction among volunteers, especially if there are short-term or project-based goals.

    How to Meet the Modern Needs of Volunteers

    A great task for a volunteer could be to assess your nonprofit’s programs for flexibility. To help create opportunities that focus on remote opportunities, short-term or project-based roles, encourage self-initiated projects, and provide flexible scheduling.

    Promoting Volunteer Parry Sound (VPS) as a resource for connecting with volunteers and sharing opportunities can help to grow volunteerism in Parry Sound. Knowing where to find opportunities, and more specifically, opportunities that meet flexibility is a great start.