Recruiting and Training Fundraising Volunteers Tips

[Tip Sheet]

Over the years, I’ve been involved with numerous capital campaigns and annual fundraising campaigns for nonprofit organizations. One thing my fifteen years of consulting has taught me is that the most successful campaigns are those that involve great volunteer leadership. It all comes down to Recruiting and Training Fundraising Volunteers.

Here are some tips from my book:

There are many ways to use volunteers in fundraising besides making the 'ask.' Among these are: seeking volunteer advice on your case for support, forming a planned giving committee of estate planning and financial professionals, and asking key community volunteers to host cultivation events for prospective donors.
You first need to decide how you will use volunteers and how many volunteers you need for each task.
Every volunteer fundraiser needs a position description outlining what they will be doing for the organization.
Matching the right volunteer to the right job is critical.
There are many places to find good volunteers-asking your board and staff for suggestions are just two ways to find volunteers.
Volunteer orientation is vital, especially if the volunteers are not familiar with your organization; bring them in for an open house, and an opportunity to see your work up close and personal. This will instill the necessary passion in them that will be needed in their volunteer fundraising role.
Board members are volunteers and their role in fundraising is critical-"give, get or get off" is an old adage, but the importance of board giving is crucial to any successful fundraising campaign.
Board members should not be asked to all contribute at the same level; a formal board annual appeal should use the same careful screening and evaluation process that would be used in any major donor appeal.
Volunteer training is important. Even if these volunteers have worked on other campaigns, there may be new techniques they will be using in YOUR campaign and they must be able to articulate your case for support.
Volunteers need staff support. They will easily get frustrated if it isn't there and will not come back for a second experience with your organization.