8 Creative Ways for Nonprofits to Recruit Volunteers

Anyone who works with a nonprofit knows how important contributions from volunteers are in advancing a mission. What you might not know, however, is the best way to go about attracting and recruiting volunteers with the right skills and mindset to make an impact.

It isn’t easy. In a crowded digital space, nonprofits are competing against other competing messages, organizations, companies, and creators for space to showcase their mission in front of potential supporters. And that’s before the real work begins: making a compelling (yet concise) case for why your organization deserves the time, energy, and passion of dedicated volunteers who are in high demand.

Being creative is one way to rise above the noise and draw in qualified volunteers. When nonprofits test new ideas with established best practices, they’re more likely to keep attracting strong candidates.

Tried-and-true volunteer recruitment strategies.

As you continue implementing the fundamentals to effectively recruiting volunteers, remember that it's important to show up where your potential candidates are present and receptive.

LinkedIn is a cornerstone platform for connection, with a community of more than 1 billion professionals who may be drawn to volunteerism (and are open to making that known). This is the perfect place to start!

Turn your LinkedIn Page into a volunteer magnet.

If your nonprofit doesn’t yet have a LinkedIn Page, now’s a great time to set it up. If you already have one built, there’s no shortage of tips and best practices you can adopt to make your nonprofit stand out. At a minimum, make sure you have complete information, messaging that speaks directly to supporters and volunteers, and calls-to-action that make it easy for potential volunteers to raise a hand.

Build a Volunteer Value Proposition (VVP) and let it guide your messaging framework.

This twist on an Employee Value Proposition (EVP) puts the needs and wants of volunteers at the forefront of your recruitment efforts. Your VVP should quickly convey all your nonprofit has to offer its supporters. Think about what makes the experience unique and valuable — from skill-building and networking to personal fulfillment and purpose. Then, use that VVP to inform your volunteer-focused messaging  across your LinkedIn posts, job descriptions, and outreach messages to attract the right people and set the right expectations.

Create share-worthy volunteer content.

Volunteers are often your best advocates. Make it easy, and fun, for them to spread the word by producing content about your cause that they would be proud to share. That might be spotlight posts with quotes and photos, “thank you” graphics with tags, or quick-hit videos showing the difference they’re making. When volunteers engage with your content, their networks see it too, expanding your reach in a powerful way.

Outside the box: Creative ways to recruit volunteers online.

If you feel confident in your tried-and-true volunteer recruitment strategies, start dabbling with less common techniques that can help your nonprofit standout as a volunteering destination. Remember that capturing attention is half the battle, so try to be open-minded about the different ways you might hook a potential candidate. Below you can find some ideas and directions to springboard your own creative approach.

Run a mini-campaign encouraging a low-commitment volunteer experience.

This is just one example of a campaign designed to counter the reservations that a great volunteer candidate might hold due to a busy schedule. Present them with a low-commitment opportunity, framed around curiosity and accessibility, like “Volunteer for a day” or even “Volunteer for an hour.”

The campaign could take shape as a series of posts across your website and social channels. You could invest in amplifying the message to a targeted audience, if desired. Consider infusing a cohesive creative theme to distinguish the content.

Host a virtual volunteer “open house.”

People are more likely to engage when the barrier to entry is low. You can use LinkedIn Live and LinkedIn Events to host a casual info session where potential volunteers can meet your team, ask questions, and hear from current volunteers.

You can also turn the event into shareable content by recording clips and posting highlights. This format is especially helpful for remote or skills-based roles, where face-to-face connection helps build trust.

Create a volunteer-focused “Wrapped” feature.

At the end of the year (or after a big initiative), surprise your most impactful volunteers with a personalized or collective “Wrapped” graphic — a snapshot of impact. For example: “Together, you volunteered 2,340 hours, delivered 800 meals, and brought 500 smiles.”

This is another approach that lends itself to the shareable content formula: Tag volunteers, share their stories, and encourage them to repost it with pride. This can deepen your relationship with them and show future volunteers the value of getting involved.

Create video content that strives for an emotional impact.

Effective nonprofit outreach is always about speaking to the heart, but that goes doubly when it comes to volunteers. If people are going to give their time and energy to a cause with no expectation of compensation, they need to care deeply.

Video enables a level of visual storytelling that few other content types can match. No wonder it’s the fastest-growing format on LinkedIn! 

Here are a few starter ideas to get you thinking about how your nonprofit videos can leave a lasting impression:

• "Why I volunteer" selfie stories: Let real volunteers speak in their own words about what drew them in and how the experience impacted their lives. Keep it raw, honest, and personal. Add text overlay for accessibility and impact.

• “Two minutes, big impact” time-lapse: Show a sped-up montage of a volunteer shift — from arrival to impact — whether it’s sorting donations, tutoring a student, or cleaning up a park.

• “What if no one showed up?” impact gaps: A sobering montage of quiet classrooms, unsorted supplies, or empty food pantry shelves — then a flip to how volunteers could change that outcome

Take full advantage of Career Page capabilities for employer branding.

LinkedIn Pages are commonly known as centerpieces of a brand’s presence on LinkedIn. However, Career Pages are a relatively lesser-known tool, making them a prime opportunity to stand out. A Career Page is a dedicated tab on your page that invites visitors to learn more about partnering with your nonprofit: culture, values, employee testimonials, and more.”

Check out these tips for attracting volunteers to your Career Page.

Think big about volunteer recruitment

To stand out and attract volunteers who bring the right skills, passion, and energy, nonprofits need to think outside the box and get creative, strategic, and audience-focused.  Whether you’re refining the basics or experimenting with bold new tactics, the key is showing up with intention, authenticity, and heart.

Learn more about how LinkedIn can help you find the talent and connections your nonprofit needs to change the world.