At Benevon, we talk a lot about the "new volunteer"—someone who loves your mission and has their own ideas of how they would like to participate. Finding the best fit between a volunteer's interests and your needs will make for a winning volunteer program and help you build long-term sustainable funding.

Here is a list of ways to attract great volunteers and keep them passionate about your organization's mission.

1. Give up any stereotypes that you may have about what kinds of people volunteer these days. Be open to finding meaningful volunteer experiences for whatever type of volunteer may come your way.
   
   
2. Don't assume that every volunteer knows how they want to help your organization. When you list possible volunteer opportunities, always include the option of volunteering at your fundraising activities.
   
   
3. Recognize that Point of Entry^® guests may want to volunteer or get involved in their own way of volunteering for your organization after they have been exposed to your inspiring work. Have (at least) one volunteer attend every Point of Entry. They can help you with the logistics, answer questions about volunteer opportunities in the organization, and even give a casual testimonial about why they value volunteering.
   
   
4. Think of other meaningful roles for volunteers that would truly relieve staff. Don't pre-select or pre-judge the best roles for volunteers. For example, recruit a volunteer who is an excellent writer to be your grant writer. Train them in what type of grant funding you need and the vocabulary associated with your type of work, programs, and needs.
   
   
5. Think of volunteers as in-kind donors—in many cases, volunteering is their way of learning more about your work before they become a financial contributor. Recognize that 90% of people who volunteer also give money (not necessarily to the same organizations they volunteer at). Volunteers are donors, and where else would they rather give than to an organization that they are already involved with?
   
   
6. Put on at least two Point of Entry Events per year just for your volunteers. Make these Point of Entry Events special—the volunteers can invite their friends. Include a testimonial from a volunteer and a stop at a program site where volunteers are involved.
   
   
7. Listen to your volunteers—they are far more objective than you are about how your organization is perceived in the community. Encourage them to talk openly to you. Thank them, appreciate them, and let them know what their time has allowed your organization to accomplish.