25 Creative Ways to Thank Your Volunteers
Posted by Jen Burg
Volunteers are the lifeblood of your organization, and they often go unrecognized. Make it a point to pause and reflect on volunteer contributions, both seen and unseen, and communicate value and appreciation to your volunteers.
Why thank your volunteers? Showing regular appreciation for those who invest in an organizational mission increases retention and satisfaction rates, but regardless of the data, thanking others who empower your mission is simply the right thing to do. Here are some helpful ideas to get you started.
- Send a Newsletter - Recognize volunteers in an email newsletter and include a note of appreciation for recent work and long-standing dedication.
- Shoot a Video - Videos are a popular option for communicating messages. It's easy to record a short video expressing thanks and gratitude to volunteers. You can easily embed it in an email and post on social media.
- Mail a Thank You Note - This oldie is still a goodie, so show your volunteers your appreciation in a thoughtful letter. Be sure to sign it to make it more personal.
- Make a Phone Call - This might not be feasible if you have a larger nonprofit, but you could make calls to some of your regular volunteers. Making a personal phone call is still a good way to connect with the volunteers who have given a lot of time to your organization and is a great way to express gratitude.
- Create VIP Parking - Give your volunteers the VIP treatment with front-row parking and a personalized sign.
