January 31, 2014
Social media platforms continue to offer new solutions to help nonprofits keep their operations running. Facebook has included a donate button that processes contributions from users free of charge, and now LinkedIn is offering ways for organizations to increase their volunteer pool.
The LinkedIn Volunteer Marketplace offers members the ability to search a number of volunteer opportunities that local nonprofits need filled, according to Business News Daily. The tool also provides volunteer leads for organizations that need people to donate their time.
Reid Hoffman, LinkedIn's co-founder, told Business News Daily that the platform is designed to connect talent to opportunities and more than 600,000 members have expressed an interest in serving on a board or performing skill-based volunteering. A recent survey by Deloitte reported that experience gained while volunteering would be taken into account 81 percent of the time when reviewing a job application. The same percent of HR executives also reported that skills-based volunteering makes a college grad more desirable.
Skilled volunteers provide big benefits for nonprofits
While the experience looks good for candidates, there is no question that skill-based volunteers provide new opportunities for nonprofits. They have a much greater value than those that are performing menial tasks. Time is money and a volunteer providing services worth $20 an hour is saving a nonprofit more money than those who work for a nominal fee.
However, skilled volunteers can be hard to find, especially if those willing to donate their time are not aware that their services are needed. The Volunteer Marketplace is a great way for nonprofits to find talent they can use in places they never would have expected. Likewise, individuals may not have realized there was a need for their services.
Retirees are also valuable volunteers
As the economy levels out, many baby boomers are finally deciding to retire. While they may have stopped working, some are interested in staying active and involved. The boomers looking for volunteer opportunities are skilled in a trade or worked in fields that required a higher education. As they look for ways to donate time, helping out in a capacity related to their former career could be enticing. They could also be interested in serving on a board. If they have prior executive management experience, they could be a real asset to the organization.
Content presented by First Nonprofit Companies, the leading provider of state unemployment insurance solutions for 501(c)(3) nonprofit employers.
Ready to chat? Get in touch today to request a no-obligation savings evaluation.
Visually Impaired Preschool Services has been a client of First Non-Profit since it was first offered as a benefit of VisionServe Alliance. We completed a thorough evaluation of cash savings to our agency before taking advantage of this wonderful benefit and it has been a very wise decision. Our experience with the processes from accounting to claims have been professional, expeditious and easy.
The Ensight Skills Center has enjoyed working with First Nonprofit for several years. We are enrolled in their Unemployment Savings Program and although we have not required a lot of intervention, there have been a few times. I know others have dealt with the same problem of unemployment fraud over the last year and in our case, a call to First Nonprofit (they actually answer their phones) cleared up the issue. They also sent us a letter to send to all our employees telling them what they needed to do to prevent this in the future and protect themselves. What a relief! Over the years if I have questions or concerns, they are happy to listen, advise and help if they can. Another BIG advantage of using First Nonprofit is that all the money that is paid into the Unemployment Savings Program lives on my balance sheet as an asset. The money continues to be Ensight’s not the governments. First Nonprofit has certainly given me peace of mind.
In addition to their money-saving purpose on behalf of nonprofit organizations like AHS, First Nonprofit’s Nonprofit Unemployment Fund streamlines the information we need to efficiently manage unemployment claims. Our relationship with NU Fund gave us access to such things as advice on planning for what’s ahead and how to analyze cost scenarios when unexpected events occurred. Both experiences were very helpful.
We have had a great experience with FNP. During Covid, when there was the chance that reimbursable nonprofits would have to pay 50% of the unemployment costs, FNP went to bat for us. We would receive weekly information on the Unemployment claim and how they were working to reduce the costs to reimbursable nonprofits. They have a great service also working with [our claims administrator] to make sure all the paperwork is completed correctly for any unemployment claim.
PORT Health Services has had a great experience with the Unemployment Savings Program offered through First Nonprofit. Throughout the years we have been involved in the program, we have increased our reserve account significantly through this program and find the reporting we receive both timely and useful. We look forward to our continued involvement with this program and our connection with First Nonprofit for many years to come.
Job One was spending a lot of money on unemployment. Our insurance broker, Mark Simcosky, recommended that we switch over to First Nonprofit. We did just that! This switch has been a huge savings for us! This switch saved us over $10,000 in the first year. Their customer service is Superior! Any time we have a question, we get a response very quickly. Any time we send them a report and they have a question; they call rather than just assuming. They were very responsive during COVID, even when they were in crisis mode their selves. They also were always there when we needed during COVID and very helpful! We would 1,000% recommend First Nonprofit to anybody that could benefit from it!
My experience with FNP has always been positive. Every time I have had to contact them, I’m always put in contact with a friendly and knowledgeable person. If something is missing from our account, they reach out to us to request it. It’s nice to work with a company that makes sure our account is current. I would recommend them to any nonprofit looking to reduce their unemployment insurance costs.
We’ve saved tens of thousands of dollars PER YEAR by changing to become a reimbursing employer, freeing funds for much needed capital investment. FNP has been a valued partner in this process, providing assurance that we have stopgap coverage for extraordinary claims and keeping claims response painless and simple. It’s a huge Win/Win!