Strategic Volunteer Engagement Program

Transforming the future of volunteerism

Strategic Volunteer Engagement Program

Transforming the future of volunteerism

Strategic Volunteer Engagement (SVE) Program

Volunteerism is a driving force to increase nonprofits’ impact and effectiveness across the nation. Independent Sector’s Strategic Volunteer Engagement Program aims to transform the future of volunteerism by supporting nonprofits to effectively engage their volunteer networks, and by providing guidance to funders on how to invest in strategic volunteer engagement. 

Strategic volunteer engagement — the practice of building structures and capacity to engage volunteers in meaningful ways — can help nonprofits become more adaptable, sustainable, and capable of working at scale. However, this work takes time, expertise, planning, and resources. We are working to advance this cause in multiple ways. We: 

  • Deliver insights and practical tools that support nonprofits to better harness the power of volunteers, and funders to further invest in strategic volunteer engagement. 
  • Convene leaders in the social sector to explore how to overcome barriers and embrace opportunities to adopt strategic volunteer engagement practices. 
  • Promote strategic volunteer engagement to funders and nonprofits alike as an effective approach to advance their mutual goals, and advocate for greater support. 

ISVE was established in 2021 through a partnership of visionary funders and national nonprofits, as a time-limited effort. A six-month national search led ISVE to select Independent Sector as the Initiative’s new, permanent home in 2024. The work is funded by the Lodestar Foundation and The Leighty Foundation. 

Read more about Strategic Volunteer Engagement do’s and don’ts. 

We are also forming an Advisory Committee to provide guidance and insights into the future of this work. If you are an interested researcher, practitioner, nonprofit or philanthropy association representative, please contact Dr. Rashid Mosley, Vice President of Programs (rashidm@independentsector.org) by November 8, 2024. 

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