Sarah Ford | May 29, 2015

Creating Transformative versus Transactional Volunteer Experiences

As a nonprofit, what kind of volunteer experience are you providing? Are you going through the motions, handing volunteers a paint brush or pointing them to an activity and then thanking them for their support, or are you taking the opportunity to use that volunteer experience to connect people to the reason why their help matters?  When they complete their volunteer activity with you, do they return to help your organization through additional volunteer work or financial support?  

In this video clip from America’s Charities 2015 Membership Assembly, Chris Jarvis, Co-founder and Senior Partner of Realized Worth, gives an example of a transactional volunteer experience, followed by an example of a transformation volunteer experience.  And it is very clear the impact a transformative volunteer experience makes to the individual volunteering, as well as to the nonprofit organization being helped.

Suggested Reading:

Time to Rethink Your Approach to Employee Giving

 

Get Resources and Insights Straight To Your Inbox

Explore More Articles

Congratulations to Our Members Recognized Among America’s Favorite Charities

October 15, 2025

Each year, The Chronicle of Philanthropy releases its list of America’s Favorite Charities—the 100 nonprofits that raise the most from individual donors, foundations, and corporate…

Read Article

The Future of Corporate Giving: How Nonprofits Can Prepare

October 8, 2025

Corporate giving is a valuable part of the nonprofit funding ecosystem. Companies large and small have incorporated philanthropic efforts into their overall business plans, from…

Read Article

Join Us at the Workplace Fundraising & Volunteering Summit!

October 8, 2025

We’re excited to announce that America’s Charities President, Jim Starr, and Board Member, Fernando Lorence of JP Morgan Chase, will be speaking at the Workplace…

Read Article

Get Resources and Insights Straight To Your Inbox

Receive our monthly/bi-monthly newsletter filled with information about causes, nonprofit impact, and topics important for corporate social responsibility and employee engagement professionals, including disaster response, workplace giving, matching gifts, employee assistance funds, volunteering, scholarship award program management, grantmaking, and other philanthropic initiatives.

newsletter-mock