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.

In this episode of Volunteer Nation, Tobi Johnson is joined by Sam Fankuchen, founder and CEO of Golden, about how nonprofit organizations can stay resilient and keep civic engagement alive amid uncertainty, disasters, and radical funding cuts.

They discuss current stresses in the nonprofit sector, particularly around funding uncertainties, and share practical tips for organizations to pivot and adapt their missions to serve community needs effectively. Sam introduces Golden's $500 million in-kind donation of software to support volunteer management and highlights the importance of using technology to streamline operations, engage volunteers, and meet today's evolving demands.

Full show notes: 167. Keeping Civic Engagement Alive Despite Funding Cuts with Sam Fankuchen

Civic Engagement - Episode Highlights

• [06:18] – Sam’s powerful 9/11 story and what catalyzed his civic journey
• [13:00] – Early barriers to volunteering as a teen
• [16:55] – Discovery of social entrepreneurship at Stanford
• [20:28] – What volunteering really is, beyond traditional definitions
• [24:22] – Global volunteerism, SDGs, and why civic action still matters
• [33:45] – Strategy pivot: How to pursue your mission in uncertain times
• [43:15] – Golden’s $500M in-kind software donation
• [47:10] – A 3-step framework for mission pivots
• [51:38] – The ripple effect of funding changes on the entire ecosystem
• [56:20] – How to better align your volunteer model with community need
• [1:03:25] – What makes a great volunteer experience (and what Gen Z expects)
• [1:09:15] – Three tips for tech-resistant organisations

Helpful Links

• Volunteer Management Progress Report
• VolunteerPro Blog Post: Teen Volunteering: How to Actually Engage Young People
• Volunteer Nation Episode #165: New Research from Points of Light with Jennifer Sirangelo
• Volunteer Nation Episode #116: New Ways of Thinking About Volunteer Data & Tech with Chris Martin
• Chronicle of Philanthropy’s Nonprofit Layoff Tracker
• Charity Navigator List of Charities Impacted by USAID Cuts
• United Nation Sustainable Development Goals
• Golden
• Find Sam on LinkedIn

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 shares a simple yet powerful four-step framework to help you train volunteers more effectively. Drawing on decades of experience in instructional design and facilitation, Tobi breaks down what makes training truly impactful and what to avoid.

Whether you're building a new training from scratch or refreshing your current approach, this episode will help you streamline your process, boost volunteer confidence, and focus on what really matters: preparing volunteers to take meaningful action.

Full show notes: 166. Train Volunteers with This Simple 4-Step Framework

Train Volunteers - Episode Highlights

• [01:19] – Tobi’s Experience as a Trainer
• [03:41] – Why Volunteer Training Often Misses the Mark
• [04:33] – Before You Begin Training: Ask This Question
• [06:01] – Three Types of Performance Gaps
• [13:19] – Tobi’s 4-Step Volunteer Training Framework

Helpful Links

• Volunteer Management Progress Report
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab
• Volunteer Nation Episode #012: Training Volunteers What I Wish I’d Known
• [FREE] Volunteer Skills & Training Feedback Form

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.