A nonprofit’s fundraising efforts would probably be unsuccessful without its dedicated volunteers. They are vital, and the organization’s information on them should be used to further volunteer engagement. Through proper volunteer management, a nonprofit can increase the value of each person who chooses to donate a portion of their time. Here are some volunteer data all nonprofits should track:

Contact information and preferences

When a volunteer registers, collecting the basic contact information such as name, address, telephone number, email, and any other relevant contact information is just the first step. You should also attempt to determine the volunteer’s availability and shift preferences. This information will make it easier to identify volunteers who can help the nonprofit at a later date.

The volunteer’s unique abilities and skills

Additionally, it is wise to find out the skills and abilities of a volunteer. When an organization knows what a person is capable of, it can use him or her more efficiently. This will ensure people are completing tasks they’re good at but also something they actually want to do. According to VolunteerMatch, nonprofits must ensure volunteers feel needed and appreciated. There is no better way to do this than to utilize the skills and competencies people already have.

A volunteer work record

Nonprofits that keep a record of volunteer activity have the ability to ensure no single volunteer is contributing too much. Just like a regular job, volunteers can experience burnout, especially if your nonprofit works in an emotionally demanding environment. To keep everyone fresh and positive, they must have plenty of time for other activities and endeavors. Properly handling this in a volunteer management system will help keep everything on file.

Additionally, people often volunteer their time because of other obligations. For example, their employer requires all employees to have a certain number of community service hours, or a student needs some volunteer experience on their record. A detailed record of people’s work will help them prove their service.

The volunteer’s aspirations

While keeping track of what a volunteer is good at, wants to do, and has done is essential, nonprofits must also manage personnel’s aspirations. Nonprofits should provide volunteers opportunity to learn new skills and abilities. You should consistently ask them if they would like to take on a new challenge or work in a new department.