It's time to appreciate volunteers and recruit new supporters during National Volunteer Month!
Throughout April, nonprofits and community organizations recognize volunteers for their impact on our communities.
To mark National Volunteer Month, volunteer leaders and coordinators organize events to recognize volunteers for their contributions and volunteer opportunities to generate even more impact.
Before we dive into ideas for celebrating volunteer month, let’s learn a bit more about the holiday:
National Volunteer Month, or volunteer appreciation month, is a time to appreciate volunteers nationwide for their impact on our communities.
National Volunteer Month programs usually consist of:
Celebrating National Volunteer Month should be on every volunteer leader’s radar. Volunteers are the lifeblood of many nonprofits and charitable organizations, and showing appreciation can boost volunteer engagement year-round.
Many organizations also see an increase in volunteer interest and recruitment success during the month of April, mainly thanks to social media. For this reason, many organizations choose to ramp up their marketing efforts and create special projects for corporate partners, families, and others that want to serve during volunteer month.
When is Volunteer Appreciation Month?
April is National Volunteer Month. It runs from April 1 to April 30 every year.
Volunteer month is also known as:
National volunteer week, also known as volunteer appreciation week, happens in April each year. It is meant to recognize the efforts and impacts of volunteers in our society and how it has transformed the world.
The event runs for seven days and usually incorporates a theme. Generally, it's held on the third week of the month.
National Volunteer Month began in Canada in 1943. It was introduced to recognize and appreciate the women who participated in World War II. Their efforts included collecting supplies and helping wounded soldiers.
The history of National Volunteer Month in America dates back to April 20, 1974. Richard Nixon, the current president at that time, signed proclamation 4288. He designated the week beginning April 21 of the same year as Earth week.
The proclamation urged people to give special attention to education efforts and personal voluntary activities to enhance and protect our life-giving environment.
Honor volunteers in your community during the month of April. Observe the occasion with these volunteer gift ideas, host a volunteer fair, or create a social media campaign to welcome new support.
Wondering how to get involved during National Volunteer Month? Although you can get involved through material and financial donations, direct participation will make a difference in someone's life. Through their dedication towards a healthy civil society, volunteers can participate in programs like:
Use these ideas to prepare for National Volunteer Month celebrations. You don't have to organize an expensive party to celebrate volunteers. In fact, a small gesture goes a long way.
Some ideas to kick-start the celebrations include:
Volunteers are an integral part of nonprofit organizations. They dedicate their energy, talents, and time to ensure nonprofits grow and serve the community. You can deeply connect with your volunteers in simple ways, such as:
A video tailored to thank volunteers for their outstanding work will make them feel appreciated. State their impact by sharing statistics that demonstrate how their dedication has positively impacted your organization. Invite community members, clients, volunteer leaders, and Executive Director to say a few words of thanks.
Personalized handwritten thank-you note brings warmth and excitement. Take time to write a letter thanking volunteers for their contribution. Amazingly, you can ask volunteers to write customized notes if they're overwhelming.
On top of the personalized notes, you can also create a special gift like a handbook or watch to appreciate the outstanding volunteer of the month.
Show your gratitude with these volunteer gift ideas that are equal parts meaningful and cost-effective.
Social media is a powerful recruitment tool. Capitalize on increased volunteer interest during volunteer month by creating a social media campaign that highlights your volunteer program and calls for new volunteers.
Post each day during volunteer month: announce a new virtual project, invite participants to get involved with a catchy call-to-action, feature a superstar volunteer, or share your program's volunteer impact!
Don't forget to highlight the event on your website, and use the #NationalVolunteerMonth hashtag.
Create a sense of community and maximize impact with a bring-a-friend initiative for the month of April. Ask every volunteer to bring a friend or a relative—after all, volunteering together is better!
Greet every guest with a warm welcome and create an easy, streamlined experience with volunteer management software so they’re more likely to volunteer again.
Remember, word-of-mouth recruitment is a cost-effective tool for growing your program. Capitalize on increased interest during Volunteer Month and focus on creating an experience that makes your volunteers happy—they’re more likely to spread the word about your program!
Want to start a volunteer program in time for National Volunteer Month?
Here’s how:
National Volunteer Month is a time to recognize and appreciate volunteers who dedicate their skills and time toward a better society. Additionally, it's also a great opportunity for coordinators and volunteer leaders to organize events to inform communities of the importance of volunteerism.
Celebrate your supporters and boost your recruitment efforts throughout the volunteer month in April.