5 answers
Nishka
Student
1
Question
Asked
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How do I gain more traction and volunteers for a non-profit I am creating as a high-schooler ?
I want to create a non-profit to connect to women and children in need, providing them with food and clothing. How can I gain volunteers and how can I contact organizations to let us assist?
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5 answers
Martha Kramer
Corporate Training, Communications
202
Answers
Stamford, Connecticut
Updated
Martha’s Answer
I join the others, Nishka, in applauding your initiative and commitment to helping women and children in need.
It would be helpful in gaining traction and volunteers to define and communicate how your non-profit is different from others. For example, food banks provide food. Is your non-profit different because of how you distribute, when you distribute, where you distribute? Similarly, Goodwill, the Salvation Army, and at least in my area, churches distribute or sell used clothing. How is your non-profit different? What gap/need are you filling?
Once you know that, you could also communicate through your partners, as Megan suggests.
Good luck!
It would be helpful in gaining traction and volunteers to define and communicate how your non-profit is different from others. For example, food banks provide food. Is your non-profit different because of how you distribute, when you distribute, where you distribute? Similarly, Goodwill, the Salvation Army, and at least in my area, churches distribute or sell used clothing. How is your non-profit different? What gap/need are you filling?
Once you know that, you could also communicate through your partners, as Megan suggests.
Good luck!
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1179
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Nishka !
What an outstanding venture you are involved in and I applaud you for being a self-starter !
Contact your local newspaper and have them put you and your organization in the community calendar section or some other part of the newspaper. You can describe your food and clothing bank and ask for volunteers, as well as ask for donations of food and clothing. Also visit stores and ask about their overstock and see if any store would donate anything, even toiletries. You basically have to advertise but you can do this for free by writing press releases to all nearby papers and creating a flyer to post describing what you need. Post the flyers all over the neighborhood and any place that has a bulletin board.
You will also want to connect by e-mail, phone or in person with all the social service agencies in your town. Let them be aware that if they have any clients in need of food or clothing that they can be sent to your program. Your work will be a much welcomed addition and valuable resource for them.
I hope that this has helped and I am so happy to know of this work that you are doing. It is much needed and so many people will be glad that you've started this !
What an outstanding venture you are involved in and I applaud you for being a self-starter !
Contact your local newspaper and have them put you and your organization in the community calendar section or some other part of the newspaper. You can describe your food and clothing bank and ask for volunteers, as well as ask for donations of food and clothing. Also visit stores and ask about their overstock and see if any store would donate anything, even toiletries. You basically have to advertise but you can do this for free by writing press releases to all nearby papers and creating a flyer to post describing what you need. Post the flyers all over the neighborhood and any place that has a bulletin board.
You will also want to connect by e-mail, phone or in person with all the social service agencies in your town. Let them be aware that if they have any clients in need of food or clothing that they can be sent to your program. Your work will be a much welcomed addition and valuable resource for them.
I hope that this has helped and I am so happy to know of this work that you are doing. It is much needed and so many people will be glad that you've started this !
Megan Johnson
Human Resources Associate
3
Answers
Matteson, Illinois
Updated
Megan’s Answer
Hi Nishka !
This is an awesome idea and I love that you are wanting and willing to help others! More services like this is much needed.
I have 2 pieces of advice for you, Branding and Marketing.
1. Brand your non-profit. Being that you are a high schooler, start with the basics. Non-profit name, contact information, logo, and a design (flyer). You could also type up a letter introducing yourself, your non-profit, and your goals/mission. You should have digital formats and hard copies.
2. Marketing-You must promote your product (your non-profit)! Email and hand deliver your digital flyer and letter to local businesses. Attend community events and/or walk your neighborhood and pass out your flyer and letter. You could even make donations to local shelters, food pantries, and social services agencies however, be sure to include your information. When networking, I would suggest getting contact information from the people that you meet so you can send follow-up emails or phone calls. Lastly, the biggest way to get the attention of your peers and bring about more awareness to your non-profit is social media. All I can say is promote, promote, promote!! When people see you speaking so highly and passionately about a cause they will want to learn more and get involved. You can also search and join various groups on social media and promote your non-profit within the groups. Social media is one of the biggest platforms for getting the word out about your non-profit. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get any responses, people are watching and people are talking. Just keep advertising your business.
Keep up the good work Nishka!
This is an awesome idea and I love that you are wanting and willing to help others! More services like this is much needed.
I have 2 pieces of advice for you, Branding and Marketing.
1. Brand your non-profit. Being that you are a high schooler, start with the basics. Non-profit name, contact information, logo, and a design (flyer). You could also type up a letter introducing yourself, your non-profit, and your goals/mission. You should have digital formats and hard copies.
2. Marketing-You must promote your product (your non-profit)! Email and hand deliver your digital flyer and letter to local businesses. Attend community events and/or walk your neighborhood and pass out your flyer and letter. You could even make donations to local shelters, food pantries, and social services agencies however, be sure to include your information. When networking, I would suggest getting contact information from the people that you meet so you can send follow-up emails or phone calls. Lastly, the biggest way to get the attention of your peers and bring about more awareness to your non-profit is social media. All I can say is promote, promote, promote!! When people see you speaking so highly and passionately about a cause they will want to learn more and get involved. You can also search and join various groups on social media and promote your non-profit within the groups. Social media is one of the biggest platforms for getting the word out about your non-profit. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t get any responses, people are watching and people are talking. Just keep advertising your business.
Keep up the good work Nishka!
Hany Abdulfattah
Pharmacist
14
Answers
Kuwait City, Al Asimah Governate, Kuwait
Updated
Hany’s Answer
How do I attract more volunteers?
In this article, we'll share 7 tips to recruit more volunteers for your nonprofit:
Offer Flexible Volunteer Opportunities.
Be Specific.
Offer Support and Training for Volunteers.
Highlight the Impact of Volunteers.
Feature Volunteers on Social Media.
Recruit Through Current Volunteers.
Post Volunteering Opportunities Online.
https://www.springly.org/en-us/blog/volunteer-recruitment-nonprofit/
In this article, we'll share 7 tips to recruit more volunteers for your nonprofit:
Offer Flexible Volunteer Opportunities.
Be Specific.
Offer Support and Training for Volunteers.
Highlight the Impact of Volunteers.
Feature Volunteers on Social Media.
Recruit Through Current Volunteers.
Post Volunteering Opportunities Online.
https://www.springly.org/en-us/blog/volunteer-recruitment-nonprofit/
Jessica Castillo
Digital Marketing Manager
2
Answers
Richardson, Texas
Updated
Jessica’s Answer
Hello Nishka,
You've received some fantastic guidance so far. When you've gathered all the necessary details, you're all set to showcase your organization on https://www.volunteermatch.org/. This amazing platform bridges the gap between organizations and volunteers. Wishing you the best of luck!
You've received some fantastic guidance so far. When you've gathered all the necessary details, you're all set to showcase your organization on https://www.volunteermatch.org/. This amazing platform bridges the gap between organizations and volunteers. Wishing you the best of luck!