In this episode of Volunteer Nation, Tobi Johnson dives into the key findings from the Giving USA 2025 report and uncovers the powerful link between volunteerism and philanthropy. Tobi explores how individual donors and volunteer leaders are shaping the future of nonprofit fundraising, and why community support has never been more essential.

Whether you're a nonprofit leader, volunteer coordinator, or board member, you'll walk away with actionable tips for harnessing the power of volunteers to boost giving and deepen your organization’s impact.

Full show notes: 170. My Top Takeaways from Giving USA 2025

Giving USA - Episode Highlights

• [01:36] - Introduction to Philanthropy and Volunteerism
• [03:07] - Key Insights from the Giving USA 2025 Report
• [06:17] - Deep Dive into Philanthropy Data
• [10:44] - Volunteerism's Role in Philanthropy
• [24:10] - Engaging Younger Generations in Philanthropy
• [28:06] - Breaking Down Silos for Better Community Engagement
  

Helpful Links

• Volunteer Management Progress Report
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab
• Volunteer Nation Episode #71: Partnering with Funders to Support Volunteer Engagement with Jane Justis & Betsy McFarland
• Volunteer Nation Episode #158: Nonprofit Capacity Building with the Community Foundation for a greater Richmond
• Volunteer Nation Episode #60: Giving Circles and Collective Philanthropy with Sara Lomelin
• Volunteer Nation Episode #163: New Research from Points of Light with Jennifer Sirangelo
• VolunteerPro Blog, 5 Surprising Myths About Volunteers and Donors
• Giving USA 2025

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In this episode of Volunteer Nation, Tobi Johnson dives into the essential human needs that drive a meaningful and rewarding volunteer experience—safety, connection, and purpose.

Tobi explores how creating a predictable, emotionally safe environment lays the foundation for trust. She explains why fostering strong peer connections is just as crucial as delivering information, and how helping volunteers see the direct impact of their efforts brings deeper meaning to their service.

Full show notes: 169. How to Meet 3 Core Volunteer Needs Right from the Start

Volunteer Needs - Episode Highlights

• [03:03] - The Emotional Needs of Volunteers
• [06:21] - Core Human Needs: Safety, Connection, and Meaning
• [10:54] - Meeting Volunteer’s Safety
• [18:36] - Meeting Volunteer’s Connection
• [24:07] - Meeting Volunteer’s Meaning

Helpful Links

• Volunteer Management Progress Report
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab
• Volunteer Nation Episode #166: Train Volunteers with This Simple 4-Step Framework
• Volunteer Nation Podcast Episode #111: New Volunteer Orientation: What to Include, What to Leave Out

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

In this episode of Volunteer Nation, Tobi Johnson addresses a persistent and deeply rooted challenge in the nonprofit sector: the lack of buy-in and active support for volunteers across entire organizations—not just within volunteer departments. Drawing from the VolunteerPro Impact Lab seminar and a decade of data from the Volunteer Management Progress Report, Tobi urges nonprofit executives to reframe volunteer support as a staff performance issue, not a matter of personal "buy-in."

She shares practical strategies for building a culture where volunteers are valued, supported, and integrated throughout all levels of an organization. If your nonprofit depends on volunteer talent, this episode is essential listening.

Full show notes: 168. Note to Nonprofit Execs - Supporting Volunteers is Everyone's Job

Supporting Volunteers - Episode Highlights

• [02:00] - Why most staff don’t see volunteer support as part of their role
• [08:00] - The systemic issues behind poor staff engagement with volunteers
• [12:00] - Why the issue isn’t just buy-in—it’s employee performance
• [14:00] - The need for clear expectations and accountability from leadership
• [15:00] - The 4 pillars of employee performance
• [19:00] - The power of mindset: choosing abundance over scarcity
• [21:00] - Leadership responsibilities for building a volunteer-inclusive culture
• [22:00] - The invisibility of volunteerism in strategic conversations

Helpful Links

• VolunteerPro Impact Lab
• Volunteer Management Progress Report
• Volunteer Nation Episode #133 – My Secrets to Building Buy In & Reducing Resistance to Change
• Volunteer Nation Episode #009: Helping Nonprofit Employees See the Value of Volunteers

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.