April is National Volunteer Month

It's National Volunteer Month, and this year we're focusing on creating programs your volunteers want to come back to. Most nonprofits excel at attracting new volunteers, but there's a huge opportunity hiding in plain sight. The average volunteer retention rate is 65%, which means understanding what keeps volunteers engaged could help you build the reliable, committed volunteer base every organization needs.

This week's insights focus on building volunteer programs that people want to be part of long-term, from understanding what corporate volunteers really want to contribute to learning how Habitat for Humanity created pathways for 2 million volunteers. Because the volunteers you already have might be your organization's greatest untapped resource.

The take-home template

Younger generations aren't just tomorrow's donors. They're shaping generosity today. But their motivations, expectations, and habits look different from those of older supporters. This free guide helps nonprofit marketers meet Gen Z and Millennial donors where they are with strategies that build trust and support across every channel, from authentic messaging that resonates to platform-specific tactics that drive engagement.

Snackable snippets

Volunteer data can mask a retention problem 📖

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Phoenix discovered that strong volunteer recruitment numbers were masking a revolving-door problem: new volunteers served once and didn't return. Their wake-up call came during a coaching session when they realized they were tracking fill rates and volunteer numbers but spending little time discussing the actual people doing the work.

The state of corporate volunteering 2026 📖

Benevity's 2026 corporate volunteering report found a significant mismatch between what companies offer and what nonprofits need. While 71% of nonprofits identify AI literacy as urgent, and companies are increasing skills-based volunteering investments, only 20% of nonprofit leaders say corporate volunteers contribute meaningfully to capacity-building. The research shows most programs still default to participation-focused activities rather than leveraging professional expertise to address strategic organizational needs.

How to beat the 65% volunteer retention average 📖

Most nonprofits lose a third of their volunteers each year, but the reasons are fixable: unclear expectations, inconsistent communication, or a sense of being undervalued. This resource shows that the stakes extend beyond volunteer management, as 66% of volunteers also donate to their organizations. Simple changes like structured onboarding, regular check-ins, and specific recognition can improve retention while protecting your volunteer pipeline.

For your inspiration folder

Habitat for Humanity doesn’t just ask people to show up and build houses. They've created distinct entry points for every type of volunteer, from local weekend builders to college students on spring break trips to professionals serving on boards. With 1,500 local affiliates in the US and programs in 70 countries, they've made it possible for someone to volunteer with Habitat, whether they have two hours, two weeks, or two years to give.

Their ReStores alone create ongoing volunteer opportunities that don't require construction skills, while specialized programs, like Women Build and Veterans Build, help people find their specific community within the larger movement. The lesson for other nonprofits is that scale comes from variety. One volunteer pathway won't reach 2 million people, but a dozen different ones might.