The Power of Making People Feel Needed: Why Volunteer Recognition Matters More Than You Think
Nonprofits run on more than passion and purpose. They run on people. Volunteers, board members, committee chairs, event helpers, and those who raise their hands quietly in the back… they are the heartbeat of the mission.
And yet, far too often, good people drift away not because they don’t care, but because they don’t feel valued.
I’ve seen this firsthand – and one experience in particular changed the way I think about volunteer engagement forever.
When Feeling Needed Makes All the Difference
After serving for ten years on a nonprofit board – including two years as board chair and several other roles like treasurer, grants chair, post-grant chair, and event coordinator – my term limit was up. I took a year off, then felt ready to share what I had learned and serve again in meaningful ways.
After my hiatus, I joined two boards in the same month. On paper, both seemed like great opportunities.
OrgA invited me to join as Governance Chair for an all-volunteer organization.
OrgB brought me on as a general board member (“at large”).
From the beginning, the difference between the two organizations was striking.
OrgA welcomed me immediately.
They wanted my nonprofit experience and encouraged me to participate fully. They valued my input and empowered me to help strengthen the organization. It felt like joining a team that truly understood how to use the strengths of their board members.
OrgB… not so much.
The people were pleasant and welcoming, but despite having paid staff and an Executive Director to help coordinate things, the board structure felt loose and unclear. I often felt like I was being “kept in the wings,” not fully invited to contribute. My skills were there, ready to be used, but the organization wasn’t tapping into them. Over time, I felt less useful and less connected.
After about six months of spinning my wheels at OrgB, I resigned so I could give my full attention to OrgA – where I felt welcomed, needed, and it was clear how I could contribute.
Within two years, OrgA asked me to become their board president. I’m still involved with them today as an advisory board member.
That experience taught me something I’ve never forgotten:
People stay where they feel welcomed, valued, and needed.
People leave where they feel invisible.
Why This Matters for Nonprofit Leaders
If you want volunteers, including board members, to stay engaged, you need to do three things consistently:
1. Recognize what each person brings
Everyone has strengths.
Some are strategic thinkers.
Some are workers who get things done.
Some are connectors who bring in new supporters.
Some quietly keep operations on track.
When you see people’s strengths and actually put them to use, they feel connected to your mission.
2. Give them meaningful roles
People want to contribute – not just occupy a seat.
No one wants to be on a board where they:
never receive assignments
never get asked for input
never see the impact of their time
Clarity + Contribution = Commitment.
3. Make them feel appreciated (regularly)
Your volunteers should never wonder if their time is making a difference.
A few simple ideas:
Call out wins during meetings.
Send handwritten thank-you notes.
Share stories of impact (“mission moments”).
Celebrate the completion of projects.
Publicly acknowledge contributions that move the mission forward.
It doesn’t have to be grand. It just has to be genuine.
The Ripple Effect of Appreciation
Volunteers who feel appreciated become:
Loyal supporters
Ambassadors for your organization
Long-term partners
Donors
Leaders who step up when needed
And here’s the real magic:
A culture of appreciation attracts more of the right people.
A culture of neglect drives them away.
You choose which one your organization becomes.
Until next time, keep leading with passion and purpose. 💌
Have a question or want to share your thoughts? Email me at [email protected]. I’d love to hear from you.
