Volunteering for an organization can be a discouraging endeavor for many professionals who want to use their specific skill-set to benefit a cause they believe in.

Many organizations do not have a system that provides tangible pathways for professionals to get involved. In many cases, people are funneled into one main category called “volunteers”. This hodgepodge approach often leaves professionals in places of services that don’t match their skill-set. In addition, the organization misses out on an opportunity to take their work to a whole new level.

This is why I was encouraged to come across Catchafire. Catchafire’s mission is to improve the quality of the volunteer experience by providing pro bono opportunities for skilled professionals. Catchafire’s vision is to make it easy for every professional to use their skills for good, and to make it easy for every nonprofit and social enterprise to access and effectively use pro bono as a way to build capacity within their organization.

Catchafire believes in providing efficient, effective, and meaningful volunteer experiences for both skilled professionals and the organizations with whom they work. I agree with their web statement, “a great pro bono experience can transform someone’s life, and we also know that a bad one can turn someone away from giving their time forever.”

Organizations need to be strategic in their approach to volunteers.

Love to hear your thoughts on how your organization provides opportunities for volunteers.

[Offer: Catchafire has offered our network 10% off membership for organizations. Catchafire sustains its work through NGO members. It's a fraction of the cost of receiving these professional services elsewhere. Use the code "Ideation" to receive the discount for your organization.]