The COVID-19 pandemic sparked a sharp drop in the share of Americans who volunteer: Less than one in four volunteered in 2021, compared with 30 percent in 2019, according to new data published by AmeriCorps and the U.S. Census Bureau.

The decline is the largest measured since the two organizations began to measure volunteering rates two decades ago. For nonprofits that faced years of declining interest from volunteers even before the pandemic, the new data comes at a time when many are unsure of how to best rebuild and invest in efforts to ask people to donate their time.

Now, some foundations are asking whether they can — or should — do more to help nonprofits attract bigger numbers of volunteers. (See also “Why and How Charities Should Revive a Declining but Vital Resource ... Volunteers.”) To find out the answers, a group of grant makers and nonprofits focused on volunteerism, including the National Alliance for Volunteer Engagement and organizations that fund volunteer programs such as the UJA Federation of New York, conducted interviews with more than two dozen experts.

The key finding, says Sue Carter Kahl, a consultant to nonprofits and author of the new report, “Investing in Strategic Volunteer Engagement: A Qualitative Study,” is that nonprofits first need to ask what the people they serve need — and then think about how volunteers can help, rather than focusing on what organizations need.

Today, few foundations provide grants for developing and maintaining volunteer programs, and not all think it’s worth investing in such efforts at all, according to Kahl.

Internal controls make up the backbone of any nonprofit: Without reviewing and testing them, an organization’s mobility will be limited. Yet, establishing a solid set of internal controls can be exceptionally challenging, even for larger organizations. Many nonprofits don’t know where to start: Do we have segregation of duties and accounting processes? Is our information technology infrastructure secure? Does our board governance align with our staff and mission? What other internal controls do we need? Questions for nonprofit leaders can begin to stack up quickly.

In the latest episode of Thrive Non-Profit Success Stories video series, top nonprofit pros Patrick Frambes and Christa Woelfel talk about internal controls, and how helping non-profits identify and implement these controls can make their lives easier.

For many organizations, going through a financial review or audit may seem like a rigorous enough examination of the organization’s financial well-being. After all, the audit is enough to apply for a loan or additional funding, so why should any organization invest in additional internal testing?

The answer is simple. As technology and business strategy changes, so does risk. In today’s interconnected world, it becomes more important than ever to evaluate and test your internal controls regularly to ensure you’re operating effectively, and your reporting is reliable.

Episode 37: Join Bryan Orander for a quick overview and guidance on how your organization can participate in the 2023 Central Indiana Nonprofit Salary Survey in February and get the report in early June. Bryan shares why Charitable Advisors hosts the salary survey and answers a few common questions about the survey process and results. We want to thank this year’s Nonprofit Salary Survey co-sponsors — VonLehman CPA & Advisors, National Bank of Indianapolis, NFP/First Person and Indy Collaboration on Neighborhoods. Contact Julie to share contact information for the person who will take the survey for your organization. Listen

Has your organization completed the 2023 Central Indiana Nonprofit Salary Survey? The following organizations have completed so far. Participating organizations will receive the comprehensive compensation report in June.

If you have not received a link for the survey, please request a survey link

Lilly Endowment has announced $80 million in grants to the Indianapolis Department of Parks & Recreation. The funds will support improvements and updates at 42 parks in the Indy Parks system, including Washington Park, where city leaders announced the grants. Read more

Five agencies that make up a youth coalition have received $20 million in funding from Lilly Endowment to support the well-being of youth workers. The agencies leading the project are Indiana Afterschool Network, IARCA Institute for Excellence, Indiana Youth Services Association, Indiana Youth Institute, and Marion County Commission On Youth. Initiatives include the facilitation of peer learning groups, mental health counseling, and support youth workers exposed to trauma. Read more

The Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site will feature the president’s home in the Old Northside Neighborhood of Indianapolis in the new exhibit “Residential to Presidential: 150 Years with the Harrisons” The exhibit will explore the extensive history of the building. Learn more

United Way of Central Indiana is currently hosting Indy Free Tax Prep, a program that provides free tax preparation services to people and families with a household income of $66,000 or less in 2022. Sign up

Applications for Class VI of the Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation Fellowship are now being accepted. The two-year program includes monthly meetings, learning opportunities from experts, and coursework on various issues, including the economy, education, healthcare, and civil society. Deadline is Feb. 17. Apply

Leading your team through change webinar on Feb. 9 at 8:30 a.m. Employees resistant to change? Unwilling to adapt to new programs? Learn about the communications mistakes nonprofit leaders make that can prevent key initiatives from getting off the ground. Presented by HR Nonprofit Peer Group/Charitable Advisors. Cost: Free. Register

Indy Bar is providing free legal services on its Legal Line Feb. 14 from 6-8 p.m. at (317) 269-2222. Learn more

Seeking general operating grants webinar on Feb. 23 from 2-3:15 p.m. Learn how to demonstrate the need for overhead support and the return on such investments, figure out how much to request, and connect this form of support to your mission. Presented by Chronicle of Philanthropy. Cost: $69. Register

2023 Thomas H. Lake Lecture on March 2 at 6 p.m. at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church,

100 W. 86th St. Mona Siddiqui explores how art and human imagination compel us to seek different worlds and justices and how religious faith makes demands of us to give in multiple ways. Cost: Free. Register

Gleaners Food Bank is seeking volunteers to assist clients visiting the onsite food pantry. Duties include loading cars with food and directing traffic at various points. Must be at least 13 years old. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Learn more

Our sponsor marketplace serves to further connect our readers with our advertisers who are focused on serving nonprofits. To learn about each sponsor's nonprofit services, click on its logo.