January 22, 2026

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Why Volunteer Recruitment Breaks Down and What Nonprofit Leaders Can Do

by Duke Haddad, Ed.D

Volunteers are a tremendous resource for nonprofits. Without this vital support, many organizations could not provide programs, deliver services, raise funds, or carry out governance through board service. Effective volunteer recruitment, however, requires more than goodwill — it depends on leadership, capacity, and intentional program design.

The Impact of a Volunteer

Recent AmeriCorps and U.S. Census Bureau data shows that between September 2022 and September 2023, 28.3% — or more than 75.7 million — of Americans reported volunteering through an organization. While this reflects a rebound from pandemic lows, participation remains below pre-pandemic levels. Notably, as participation has increased, the average number of hours served per volunteer has declined, underscoring the shift toward flexible and episodic volunteering that many nonprofit leaders now confront.

One example of this reliance on volunteer services is The Salvation Army Indiana Division. One annual program alone, Coats for Kids, involves acquiring and distributing thousands of coats, hats, scarves, and gloves to children in need — an effort requiring hundreds of volunteers.

The Salvation Army, like many nonprofits nationwide, cannot afford to pay for these services. Yet volunteers are not free. While they are unpaid, they require real investment in staff time, coordination, and management to be effective. In fact, the current estimated value of each volunteer hour is $34.79. The goal is to recruit volunteers well and retain them each year. Nonprofits need volunteers to survive.

Why Volunteer Programs Struggle

Recent NonProfit PRO research reinforces what many nonprofit leaders already experience firsthand. The most significant challenge in volunteer programs is not motivation — it is capacity. Forty percent of nonprofit leaders report that their greatest obstacle is simply having the staff resources needed to manage volunteers effectively. Volunteers require oversight for role design, recruiting, training, scheduling, supervision, and appreciation. More volunteers are not the solution if organizations lack the infrastructure to support them.

Aside from staff management, the second top struggle is recruitment, with 38% of survey respondents struggling to find and retain motivated volunteers passionate about their nonprofits’ causes. That strain is particularly acute among smaller nonprofits. Meanwhile, 36% find establishing volunteer opportunities challenging — a difficulty common among larger organizations.

These findings make clear that effective volunteer recruitment must be intentional and designed with an organization’s actual capacity to support volunteers.

Recruit Your Volunteers Well

Nonprofits must place a premium on volunteer recruitment — and volunteer management — as a core operational strategy. When done well, Read on...

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

Amy Cheney, who has served as President & CEO of Crayons to Computers since 2017, announced this week that she will retire March 31, 2026.

Carol Rountree has been named the Executive Director of the Loveland LIFE Food Pantry.

The Art Academy of Cincinnati (AAC) is pleased to announce that Michael Hurst has been appointed Director of Exhibitions.

Lexi Martini has been named PEERS Coordinator at The Point/Arc's Zembrodt Education Center.

Great Parks Forever has welcomed (L to R) Shawn Masterson, Tina Ross and David Walter as new members for its board of directors.

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Ohio Valley Goodwill celebrated the grand opening of its newest store located at 4946 Delhi Rd in Delhi Township on January 16. This is the 21st Goodwill retail location in Southwest Ohio and the latest in the organization’s strategic effort to expand and have 30 stores in operation by 2030.

Mill Creek Alliance is grateful and proud to announce the receipt of a grant from the L&L Nippert Charitable Foundation of $61,047. The generous grant will support several of Mill Creek Alliance's programs and projects including our independent Water Quality Monitoring, Outdoor Environmental Education, and the activation of the newly opened greenspace and stream access ramp at Yellow Bridge in South Cumminsville.

The LaRosa Family Foundation recognized its Game Changers MVP honoree with a presentation on Tuesday, January 13. Beth Schmaltz, parent and volunteer sports photographer for the South Ripley High School Raiders, was recognized for generously dedicating her time and talent to South Ripley High School athletics, attending nearly every sporting event throughout the year, capturing milestone moments and processing thousands of photos.

The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati is grateful for the generous support from the following foundations helping to fuel our mission into 2026: The Wohlgemuth Herschede Foundation, the L&L Nippert Charitable Foundation, and the G. Richard and Jane S. Thomas Foundation.

Holy Cross District High School has launched the River Cities Scholars Program, a new educational initiative supported by a $2 million challenge grant from the Butler Foundation. The program is designed to expand access to Catholic education for students from Northern Kentucky's river cities while strengthening enrollment and community impact.

The Art Academy of Cincinnati has been awarded a $922,212 grant through the Ohio Department of Development’s Advanced Energy Fund to partially complete a comprehensive series of energy-efficiency upgrades at its campus facilities in Over-the-Rhine, located in Hamilton County.

The investment will support the replacement of the Academy’s HVAC system, upgrades to water heaters, and improvements to building controls and chillers.

The NFL Referee Association has chosen to recognize one Tri-State non-profit by donating two tickets to the Super Bowl. Envision, a Greater Cincinnati disability charity that has been serving the community since 1963, was selected out of thousands of national nonprofit organizations to receive tickets. The Super Bowl tickets are donated by the NFL Referee Association to help raise funding for disability support services. Envision was one of only 10 organizations nationwide selected to receive tickets.

Santa Maria Community Services is pleased to announce the receipt of thirteen generous grants supporting their programs and services during the fourth quarter of 2025. Santa Maria was awarded grants by The Carol Ann and Ralph Haile, Jr. Foundation, Charles H. Dater Foundation, Inc., The Clement and Ann Buenger Foundation, CPPS Heritage Mission Fund, Crosset Family Fund of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Ed and Joann Hubert Family, Fifth Third Bank, The Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Huntington National Bank, Jay D. Raymond and Beulah W. Raymond Endowment Fund, Ohio Children’s Foundation, PNC Foundation, Sutphin Family Foundation, US Bank, and Wohlgemuth Herschede Foundation.

Dan Beard Council, Scouting America will officially open the Dever Family Foundation Skilled Trades Education Center, at Camp Friedlander, 581 Ibold Road, Loveland, OH with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday, Jan. 24, 11:00am. The new 10,000-square-foot facility represents a significant investment in youth workforce development across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

Applications for Breakthrough Cincinnati's 2026 Summer Scholars Program are open for students, Teaching Fellows, and admin positions. Students can apply here, Teaching Fellow applications can be accessed here, and admin applications are found here! We cannot wait for another fantastic summer of instilling confidence in students and training the next generation of educators.

Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI), the region’s leading nonprofit providing comprehensive services for people who are blind or visually impaired, has partnered with TriHealth to offer “Stepping On,” an evidence-based program designed to reduce fall risk and increase confidence among adults aged 65 and older with vision loss. Find more information here.

Greater Cincinnati Foundation is partnering with the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation to make concentrated investments in the areas that make Northern Kentucky a vibrant place to work, live, and experience. This investment of more than $1 million aims to help bring more jobs to the region, create housing that people can afford, expand early literacy rates among children, and support other important community needs.

Boone County Public Library has received a $6,250 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives to expand GED testing access at our Florence Branch, helping remove transportation and scheduling barriers for adult learners in our community.

Art Academy of Cincinnati (AAC) invites the community to celebrate the unveiling of their new contemporary art exhibition, “AAC Faculty Exhibition 2026,” during an opening reception Friday, Jan. 30, 5:00pm to 8:00pm. The exhibition presents a first-hand look at the applied experience of the teachers who guide and help shape so many young artists in the city. The artwork in the show represents all mediums taught at the Art Academy, made by the artists who teach them.

Council on Aging (COA) is a recipient of a $50,000 Interact for Health 2025 Rural Changemaker Grant. COA was among seven organizations in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana to receive funding through the 2025 Rural Changemaker Grant. The funding will support home52 Transportation, an innovative transportation coordination service developed by COA's wholly owned subsidiary, home52.

Thanks to your generosity and belief in Tri-State Trails' mission, we not only reached our fundraising goal, but we surpassed it, raising $71,739 together. With the support of our matching donors, that generosity was leveraged into a total impact of $141,739, and every single gift made a difference. We are truly grateful to everyone who helped make this possible.

FUNDING AND RESOURCE OPPORTUNITIES

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.

The Spirit of Construction Foundation's 2026 grant application is now open. We are seeking applications from programs that help to educate young people about potential careers in construction. Applications can be submitted by filling out the online application. Grant submissions are due by February 13, 2026. All grants will be reviewed by our grants committee to determine merit, purpose, and award amount. Should you have any questions regarding the grant application process please reach out to Amanda Smith at amanda.smith@spiritofconstruction.org.

Horizon Community Foundation is pleased to announce its 2026 Community Impact Fund (CIF) grant cycle, offering a total of $115,000 in competitive grant funding to strengthen Northern Kentucky communities through innovation, partnership, and measurable progress. This year, the Foundation is encouraging nonprofit applicants to bring forth a bold idea — one capable of addressing a significant community need and demonstrating the potential for deep and lasting impact. For more information, visit here or contact Nancy Grayson at ngrayson@horizoncfnky.org or 859.757.1552.

bi3, Interact for Health, and The Joe Burrow Foundation are calling on Greater Cincinnati schools serving grades 7–12 to participate in World Teen Mental Wellness Day on March 2, 2026. Students can apply for up to $1,000 in funding to plan and lead creative, student-driven activities that promote mental wellness. World Teen Mental Wellness Day raises awareness about the mental health challenges teens face and encourages open dialogue, connection, and support. Many local teens report struggles with anxiety and depression, but stigma and lack of awareness often keep them from seeking help. Learn more and apply here.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Join the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce for Eggs 'N Issues: Shaping the Future of Healthcare in Northern Kentucky, on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026, 7:30am to 9:00am at Receptions Banquet and Conference Center – South. Charlie Vance, CEO and co-founder of Current HR, moderates a panel discussion with speakers from the healthcare sector who will explore current trends, workforce challenges, and access to care across the Northern Kentucky metro region.

W-2 Know-How: Your 2026 Guide to Compliance and Accuracy, January 23, 1:00pm EST. A major task of Payroll departments is providing W-2 Forms to employees and to the Social Security Administration. The Forms must be correct, complete, and filed on time or the employer may face stiff penalties. This webinar will cover the fundamentals of preparing and filing Form W-2, actions you can take now to reduce or prevent filing problems and errors, special reporting situations, and what to do when errors are discovered. Register here.

Registration for the 2026 Forum on Aging is open! Join us March 3-4, 2026, at the Sharonville Convention Center. The Forum is dedicated to exploring the latest trends, research and innovations in aging by bringing together professionals, advocates and community leaders to share insights and strategies that support healthy aging and enhance quality of life for older adults. Don’t miss this opportunity to network, learn and be inspired - secure your spot today.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

DoitforJack and the Jack Quehl Foundation is in need of volunteers to chair upcoming events. Learn more and sign up here.

Are you looking for weekend volunteer opportunities? Stepping Stones has daytime and evening volunteer shifts throughout the school-year available in our weekend recreation programs for individuals with disabilities. Our staff team greatly appreciate the help of volunteers and the friendly faces bring joy to our program community. While volunteering, you’ll be matched to a group of participants and join them while following the activity schedule. Engage participants in art, nature, sensory and other seasonal activities while supporting an encouraging environment that celebrates all abilities.

2026 grant environment - federal cuts, competition and tech

Grant professionals are navigating unprecedented shifts for 2026. Federal funding faces dramatic cuts while private philanthropy increases, intensifying competition and changing the landscape for securing funding.

Fundraising appeal openings that engage donors
Here are three very different opening paragraphs for three very different appeals from three very different nonprofits.

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