Your volunteer team is seeking recognition. How can you show appreciation in the most effective ways?

You can acknowledge their contributions both publicly and personally. Public recognition could involve celebrating their efforts through social media shout-outs, awards, or at an event, ensuring their hard work is visible to the community. On a personal level, expressing gratitude through handwritten notes, personalized messages, or small tokens of appreciation helps convey genuine thankfulness. Offering opportunities for professional growth or team-building experiences can also make volunteers feel valued and motivated.

I truly believe that personal praise breeds personal growth. It's the little things that matter. Stay humble by pouring encouragement into someone else's heart, and mind.

On my nonprofit’s team and others I’ve helped, I’ve seen the powerful impact of personal praise on volunteer morale. Taking the time to understand what truly motivates each volunteer is key. I always make an effort to acknowledge their contributions, often with a #handwritten note that expresses my gratitude for specific efforts. This personal touch goes a long way in making #volunteers feel seen and valued. It’s a simple yet meaningful way to show that their unique input hasn’t gone unnoticed—and it #strengthens their commitment to the cause. How do you show appreciation to your volunteers?

Providing direct, positive feedback and acknowledging hard work one-on-one communicates that you value their effort and contributions. Ensure the praise is specific as vague praise can be perceived as insincere. Providing personal praise can create an attitude of gratitude on your volunteer team.

You can recognise their efforts through putting up an articles to recognise their effort in the organisation social media or recommend them for some national awards etc. Some volunteers just need a thank you letter, but not the flowery award.

On my nonprofit’s, as a CEO, team and others I’ve supported, public acknowledgment has proven to be one of the most effective ways to show appreciation for volunteers. Whether it’s highlighting their contributions in newsletters, social media shoutouts, or recognizing them at public events, it gives them a sense of pride. I’ve found that this not only makes volunteers feel valued but also encourages others to step up and get involved. Public recognition amplifies their impact and reminds everyone of the critical role volunteers play in our success. How do you publicly acknowledge your volunteers?

Often volunteer recognition and donor recognition are siloed but imagine you had to budget for (and pay) every volunteer! Would this shift your volunteer appreciation plan? Look at the ways you acknowledge donors and other partners and consider how you mirror that approach for your volunteer team. Could you list your top volunteers on your website? Maybe include a welcome to new volunteers on social media or in your newsletter.

Volunteers contribute their time and talent for a variety of reasons, one of which includes professional and personal development. One way to create development opportunities is by pairing up skilled volunteers with newer volunteers. Often the act of teaching others helps crystalize knowledge and skills so time invested in building training materials benefits volunteers and the staff that are involved in developing training materials.

Every attention to volunteers matters, and I’ve found that physical tokens of appreciation can have a lasting impact. In my nonprofit, and others I’ve helped, certificates or small gifts go a long way in showing gratitude. These tokens don’t have to be costly—it’s the thought and meaning behind them that count. Choosing something that reflects the mission of the organization or the personal interests of the volunteers makes these gifts even more memorable. It’s a small gesture, but it leaves a big impression, reinforcing that their contributions are truly valued. How do you show appreciation through tokens in your organization?