Volunteers are like the glue that hold nonprofits together, so successfully recruiting great volunteers can be a constant effort. Break out of the mold a little bit with these simple and fun ways to recruit volunteers for your nonprofit.

Just ask.

People connect with people far more easily than they do with a company or organization. One of the best ways to recruit volunteers is to simply reach out and ask. You’d be surprised at how often people want to volunteer, but don’t know where to start. Even if their answer is “no,” they can still offer great insight into the kind of opportunities they’d like to see (such as more flexibility, or an opportunity that would boost their career.)

Get creative with the job titles and descriptions.

In our fast-paced, media-driven world, a little quirkiness gets people’s attention. Most volunteer descriptions are very dry; add some flair here and there to make yours more fun. Remember, volunteers choose to help during their spare time, so write volunteer opportunities that describe making a difference and having a good time.

Engage the whole community.

Recruiting new volunteers has evolved from handing out flyers at local churches to something far more dynamic. Think about creating something fun, engaging and even a little competitive to engage the community and get the word out. If people can participate and share on social media, even better! Here are some ideas:

  • Host a writing, art or photography contest
  • Hold an all-ages “open house” event to celebrate a holiday, or recognize your current volunteers. Use the time to give tours, and be sure to have an info booth at the ready with volunteer applications

[bctt tweet=”Want to #recruit more #volunteers? Engage the community and get the word out with a fun event. If people can participate and share on social media, even better! ” username=”HandsOn_Maui_”]

Whether you have a tried-and-true volunteer recruitment strategy, or are struggling, these fun strategies can be a great way to liven up your recruitment efforts, and possibly reach a new community of potential volunteers.