Volunteers and Donors: Making the Connection

Organizations frequently treat those who donate their time and talents differently than those who donate their money. We often think that volunteers are giving of themselves so how can we ask them to give their money as well. Actually, who is better suited to understand your organization’s financial needs than someone who is already involved with your organization? The opposite is true as well. Does your organization offer financial donors the opportunity to volunteer their time and let them know about your volunteer needs? Ideally those working in Development and Volunteer Engagement should be working collaboratively but more often they operate in siloes. This session explores why collaboration between Development and Volunteer Engagement is essential to the success of your organization. The reality is that all supporters – whether they contribute time or money – are integral to your mission and can help extend your impact in the community. Working together can assure that both time donors and financial ones are fully engaged as advocates for your organization’s mission. In this workshop, participants will identify the key supporters in their organization, brainstorm ways to create greater connection between these groups, and spend time developing an action plan to get started.

Presenter: Sheri Wilensky Burke

Sheri Wilensky Burke is a consultant and trainer with Sheri Wilensky Burke Consulting LLC and a proven leader in volunteer management and board development, with 30 years of experience working with national non-profit organizations. Sheri ‘s diverse background and expertise enables her to empower organizations to develop volunteer-based projects and volunteer leaders, working closely with staff and volunteers to best meet an organization’s needs. Sheri provides a common-sense approach to volunteer engagement, breaking down complex issues into simpler, manageable parts.

Sheri’s areas of expertise include cultivating volunteer leadership and developing a volunteer career ladder, volunteer program assessment, establishing fundraising committees, engaging younger professionals, working with high-skilled volunteers, change management, team building, developing a new volunteer program and thinking outside the trends.

The link for this event will be provided to all participants prior to the call. Stay tuned!