March 19, 2026

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How Nonprofits Can Improve Volunteer Retention

by Erin Morris Miller, Ph.D.

The Key to Volunteer Retention: The Three C’s

While volunteers are more likely to feel content in their roles if they are engaged and successful at accomplishing their tasks, it is ultimately commitment that drives their long-term loyalty and retention. Volunteer retention is essential to mission delivery and critical to resource management, given the costs of training and upskilling. Volunteer retention remains a challenge, as a focus on transactional management practices or a lack of concern about volunteers’ out-of-pocket expenses can negatively affect commitment. In contrast, commitment can grow through strategies that communicate organizational values, objectives, and results.

Volunteers’ expectations about what they can contribute to an organization are as important as their expectations about what they will receive. Both aspects influence their commitment and satisfaction. By understanding the interaction of these expectations, nonprofits can further improve volunteer retention by developing a psychological contract with their volunteers. A psychological contract is an agreement between a nonprofit and a volunteer about what each promises to bring to the relationship. There is no formal paperwork to complete, but there is a risk that if expectations are not fulfilled, volunteers will move on from the organization.

Successful nonprofits build a strong psychological contract with their volunteers by knowing what volunteers bring to the nonprofit, what volunteers want from their experience, and what nonprofits can do to meet those needs. Many organizations structure these practices around three core principles — the three C’s.

1. Connect

First impressions matter — volunteers begin making decisions about how they fit into the nonprofit from the first contact. It is important that nonprofits are truthful in onboarding about what they need and expect from volunteers.

They should complete initial training so that volunteers have sufficient organizational support to perform their roles effectively. If volunteers cannot complete their tasks, then their valuable time is wasted.

Organizations should avoid creating a relationship that is solely transactional by emphasizing how volunteers will enhance the mission rather than simply tracking hours served or tasks completed. A strong volunteer coordinator will keep all the volunteers working in the direction set by your nonprofit’s mission and goals.

2. Communicate

Nonprofits should provide organizational support through a volunteer coordinator who can effectively communicate with volunteers. Communication from management should be filtered so that volunteers feel free from bureaucracy and can better focus on the mission.

Communication should not overwhelm volunteers with regulations, but rather focus on mission and goals. Establishing clear paths for upward communication from volunteers (including suggestion boxes, evaluations, surveys, and exit interviews) and downward communication to volunteers (such as newsletters, updates, and message boards) increases engagement and commitment.

3. Cohere

It is essential to inquire about the motivations of volunteers. One of the strongest motivations is values-based, and those volunteers want to see that they are making a difference in the lives of the people the nonprofit serves. People need to feel that their work has meaning.

Another key motivation is to enhance their lives through social interaction with other volunteers and the individuals the organization serves. Volunteering feels good. The Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, Gallup, and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network collaborate to survey people around the world to determine the happiest nations. The “World Happiness Report” found that people living in nations with higher volunteerism have greater life satisfaction.

Nonprofit volunteer managers should provide volunteers with evaluations of their work, opportunities for professional development, and recognition of their contributions so they can see their impact, progress, and growth.

Volunteer retention is not just about keeping individuals engaged, but about fostering meaningful relationships that align with the values and mission of the organization. By emphasizing connection, communication, and coherence, nonprofits can build strong psychological contracts with their volunteers, ensuring their time and contributions translate into long-term success for the organization and the communities they serve. Read the full article here.

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

The Board of Directors of OneSource Center for Nonprofit Excellence announced that CEO Christie Brown will retire on July 31, 2026, concluding more than a decade of leadership.

St. Francis Seraph Ministries is pleased to announce the appointment of Kasey Fischesser as Development Director.

Santa Maria Community Services welcomes Grace Lobono to its Board of Directors.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI) is deeply grateful to Ettlinger Trust Fund for a generous grant to help provide adaptive services for people of all ages who are blind or visually impaired.

The Victorian at Riverside is grateful for a $5,000 grant from the William P. Anderson Foundation to provide meals for older adults at its assisted-living facility in Covington, Kentucky.

Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Greater Cincinnati (HOME) hosted a panel event on the latest updates to our Roadmap for Increasing Black Homeownership, including new data, insights, and recommendations shaping the path forward.

The Law Enforcement Torch Run Polar Plunge for Special Olympics Ohio returns to The Banks on Saturday, March 21, 2026, after being rescheduled from January due to extreme weather. The event invites plungers to take an icy dip to support athletes with intellectual disabilities across the state. The plunge will take place outside Holy Grail Tavern and Grille on Freedom Way.

The Harriet Beecher Stowe House is proud to present "Trust & Teamwork on the Underground Railroad", featuring Ann Hagedorn, author of Beyond the River: The Untold Story of the Heroes of the Underground Railroad. The program will take place on Sunday, March 22, 2026, 4:00pm at the First Unitarian Church.

Council on Aging (COA) serves nearly 30,000 individuals annually, helping older adults and individuals with disabilities remain independent in their homes, while connecting family caregivers to support, resources and advice. We invite you to join us during Older Americans Month for our 2026 Annual Meeting and Awards Celebration – Empowering Generations: 55 Years of Impact, May 15, 8:00am-9:30am.

DoitforJack and the Jack Quehl Foundation just launched a new awareness campaign - "Say the F-Word" to encourage young people and parents to have the conversation about the real dangers of fentanyl.

St. Vincent de Paul Northern Kentucky (SVdP NKY) is proud to announce a $1,250 Gratitude Grant from Newport Elks Lodge #273. This grant will provide crucial support to SVdP NKY’s Choice Food Pantry in Cold Spring, which served more than 1,000 neighbors during the month of February alone.

Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries hosted the GoodCommunities GoodWorks Community Resource Fair on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. The free, public event brought together nonprofit organizations, community agencies, and service providers from across the Tri-State region to connect residents with employment pathways, job training, and a wide range of supportive services.

St. Vincent de Paul Northern Kentucky (SVdP NKY) invites local businesses, church groups, organizations, and schools to join this year's "Food Fight Against Hunger!" Participating teams will compete in a friendly challenge to collect the most non-perishable food and hygiene items for SVdP NKY’s Choice food pantries. Register by March 30.

The LaRosa Family Foundation recognized its Game Changers MVP honoree with a presentation at St. Henry District High School on Wednesday, March 11. Evan Parhad, member of the boys Cross Country/Track & Field team, was recognized for his leadership, hard work and remarkable perseverance. Evan's academic achievements and active involvement in sports, school clubs and organizations make him an inspiring example for all students.

FUNDING AND RESOURCE OPPORTUNITIES

ArtsWave and MeetNKY have opened applications for the 2026 Northern Kentucky Creative Placemaking Grant, a program supporting arts and cultural heritage projects that activate public spaces, strengthen neighborhoods and contribute to Northern Kentucky’s cultural identity and visitor appeal. The competitive grant program provides up to $10,000 per project, or up to 50% of total project expenses, to nonprofit organizations proposing arts-driven initiatives that contribute to community development across Northern Kentucky. Funded projects will take place between June 1, 2026, and May 31, 2027. Find full grant guidelines and apply here.

OneSource Center created the Emerging Leader Award to recognize talented nonprofit professionals who demonstrate exceptional promise and a commitment to strengthening the nonprofit sector. The Award provides a full scholarship for the selected honoree to participate in the EXCEL Executive Leadership Program, including one year of executive coaching. Find more information and nomination form here.

Millstone Fund supports the Greater Cincinnati community in the areas of Health, Education, and Arts. With a strong focus on supporting the mental health of our community and increasing access to educational and art opportunities for all people, Millstone Fund is currently accepting LOIs until April 1st for their next round of funding. To learn more about Millstone Fund’s priority areas, grant types, eligibility requirements, and application process, visit here.

Zonta Club of Cincinnati is now accepting Spring 2026 Grant Applications. Greater Cincinnati based not-for-profit organizations may apply for grant awards ranging in the amount from a minimum of $500 to a maximum of $2,000 per funding cycle. The organization preferably is an IRS 501(c)3, local to the Cincinnati or Greater Cincinnati area and the majority of clients served by the organization must be women or girls. Grant Applications are due on or before April 1, 2026.

A Spring 2026 class at NKU will look at occupational therapy intervention and program planning for group and activity development. We are looking for community partners to help us teach our students. We would like to invite applications from nonprofits (or programs within nonprofits) that are focused on supporting psychosocial support and group opportunities towards building a stronger community. One agency will be selected by the students to receive a $2,000 grant to support the implementation of an occupational therapy-psychosocial health and wellness site objectives. Find more information here or contact Angela Boyd at boyda9@nku.edu.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Maximizing Microsoft 365 for nonprofits: Grants, Licensing Optimization, & AI Readiness, Tuesday, March 31, 2026, 1:00pm-2:00pm, presented by Dean Dorton. Nonprofits are under constant pressure to do more with limited resources. The good news? Many organizations already have the tools they need to work smarter — they just may not be using them to their full potential. Join us for a beginner-friendly webinar designed specifically for nonprofit organizations where we’ll explore how your Microsoft 365 licensing can serve as the foundation for introducing AI and improving productivity.

Mastering 1099-MISC Reporting: Rents, Royalties, Medical, And More, March 20, 1:00pm EDT. Are you confident in your ability to report complex payments on Form 1099-MISC? This in-depth webinar walks you through IRS requirements for reporting a wide range of payment types, including rents, royalties, payments to medical service providers, fringe benefits, board member compensation, and expense reimbursements. If you deal with vendor payments, this course will help you recognize what's reportable and what's not. Register here.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Honesty for Ohio Education is a statewide coalition with a vision to rebuild public education, so it truly serves every child. And we need your help! Working with researchers at Kent State University, we are asking Ohioans to share what they value in education through the Strong Ohio Schools survey, which includes a separate youth survey. The results will help shape a shared vision for what public schools can – and should – become.

Election-year Rules for Nonprofits

With the 2026 election campaign season underway, nonprofits must ensure their exempt status is not at risk because of an association with a political campaign.

Why nonprofit cyber incidents go underreported Threat actors target nonprofits due to security gaps and highly coveted information, but a lack of sufficient data makes it difficult to grasp the entire picture.

Our sponsor and partner marketplace serves to further connect our readers with our advertisers who are focused on serving nonprofits. To learn more about a sponsor's nonprofit services, click on their ad. Contact Kelli Tarantino, editor, at kelli@gcnonprofitnews.com to discover how your business or organization can become a sponsor/advertiser of the Greater Cincinnati Nonprofit News.

"When I asked my friend about getting GC Nonprofit News years ago, I did not dream it would have such an impact. However, I learned through your newsletter of an open position at Council on Aging. I was hired by COA and couldn’t be happier. And it all started with GC Nonprofit News."

- Lisa Kruse, Council on Aging

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