Give More Than Money, Get More Than Thanks

The Traditional View

Traditionally nonprofit organizations have relied on paid staff to do the real work of the organizations in terms of leadership, financial management, program administration and other services. Volunteers were predominantly used to provide support as “hands” or people who came in to do a task—working the soup kitchen, handing out promotional information, ushering, enrolling participants and a thousand other necessary duties. But these were not jobs that required much training and were almost always done under the direction of a few regular employees. This kind of support serves as an important contribution to the organization’s work and appealed to those who wanted to volunteer without commitment to training or full-time support.

Members of the community could develop a long-term relationship with one organization or contribute their time and energy through organizations such as Philadelphia Cares (www.philacares.com), which serves as a clearinghouse for matching organizations that need workers with people who want to volunteer.

When an individual’s passion is more focused on international work, many volunteers go on support trips with religious groups or through Cross Cultural Solutions (www.crossculturalsolutions.org), which provides workers for 1-12 weeks to CARE supported hospitals, schools and other organizations in 12 countries. Here again, good work can be accomplished by an individual on a drop-in basis, without a long-term commitment or extensive training.

The other major need of organizations has been for fundraising, and every nonprofit has made the “Donate Here” button bigger and redder on its website. Some of the efforts described above were directed towards fundraising. It is common to use board positions to entice and reward both large individual and foundation gifts as well as solicit corporate funds. Board meetings included components of organizational oversight and direction as well as good governance but most boards include heavy requirements around development and friend- raising.

The 21st Century Volunteer Pool

Baby boomers are thinking about retirement in record numbers. An estimated 10,000 of us turn 65 every day (Cohn 2010) and across the U.S. many are leaving full-time work either by choice or circumstance. With the end of many defined benefit retirement plans, many need to work for money longer than their parents, but others are asking, “What is Next?” This group of retirees and potential retirees can resemble their parents’ generation in a desire to sit back, play golf, move to Florida, play with grandchildren and reflect on a life well lived.

But we can also include men and women who passionately loved working, developing personal skills and learning about their community or the world. We include many women who served PTAs, soccer leagues and scouting organizations who are ready to do something else. We went to college and graduate schools in record numbers and accept getting older but do not accept that this means obsolescence. We have read the studies that say we need to use it or lose it and if we just sit back we will rot.

After many years of working hard to make money or raise children or care for older parents, this is a generation that wants to contribute time and energy. We have developed business and social skills, and want to contribute to our communities and to the world. Many talk altruistically about giving back and others just want to contribute to making the world a better place. Some just want to get that same sense of accomplishment that has come in other stages of their lives. Others are looking to keep skills current. And we all want a sense of community from friends and co-workers.

But whatever the goal, this is a growing resource that can be tapped by smart and adaptable organizations.

The 21st Century Organization

There are unprecedented strains on our nonprofit organizations. In the last two years (2010-2011 v. 2012-2013 budgets) the Pennsylvania state budget for classroom education has declined 10 percent and community and economic development, including support of the arts, has declined 19 percent (Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center 2012). Individual giving has also declined as family budgets have been strained by the recession.

But organizations need more money, owing to salary increases and inflation, even before considering the rapid growth in social service needs caused by high unemployment and underemployment. Cuts in Federal SNAP (Food Stamps) as well as NEA grants and other human and community investments are only making the situation worse.

What do these organizations need? Yes, they need money and more money. But they must also need to be extremely efficient with that money and with the time and energy of their supporters. One way of accomplishing more is by developing new relationships with volunteers. Use volunteers for positions and roles that were traditionally held by paid staff or paid consultants. Make use of the skills that have served baby boomers well in their careers. This will free up dollars to be spent in other areas and bring in necessary talent. Further, these super-volunteers will bring their commitment to your cause, which can bring benefits in personal connections and networking with other people and organizations and perhaps more money.

A Personal Journal

This seems like a natural fit for cash-strapped organizations and talent-rich retirees and almost retirees. But it is clearly easier said than done. I have been on this personal quest for several years and I have learned a good deal.

Many organizations are ready for me to bring my checkbook but are tied to conventional models of what is employee work and what is volunteer work. I ran large operations with thousands of employees. But several organizations have offered me opportunities to fill in forms or arrange cookies at volunteer events and other things that I will and can do but that do not take advantage of my skills to move the mission forward.

Political campaigns and causes are a branch of philanthropy that interests me as, for example, rather than help the homeless by giving out spare change, I like to help elect politicians who will work to eliminate homelessness in a way consistent with my beliefs. Most campaigns are happy to get volunteer phone callers and, of course, checks. I have joined the board of the national Women’s Campaign Fund to help get more women elected to public office, and this is an active board with use for my leadership skills.

But I am persistent and a good networker and I like the opportunities that I have found. I urge organizations to rethink their use of volunteers. Perhaps they just need to bring in volunteers with strong facilitation skills from the private sector to get them there.

Conclusion

The time is right for organizations to rethink their use of volunteers. There are many who want to give of themselves—their time and expertise—as well as their money. And never has the need been so great.

Christine A. Jacobs has worked in operations for a number of Philadelphia area based corporations, serving as VP of Industrial Operations for North and South America for the former Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Pharmaceuticals, and Senior VP of Exelon, managing all of their non-nuclear power plants. Her current focus is helping women achieve parity in all phases of life. She blogs regularly at her own website (www.leading-women.com).

References

Cohn, D. and P. Taylor. (2010, December 20). Baby Boomers Approach Age 65 – Glumly: Survey Findings about America’s Largest Generation. Pew Research Center. Available at http://pewresearch.org/pubs/1834/baby-boomers-old-age-downbeat-pessimism.

The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center. (2012, July 13). Final 2012-2013 Budget Analysis: Failing to Invest in a Stronger Pa. Economy. Available at http://pennbpc.org/final-2012-13-budget-analysis.