Seven Ways to Keep Volunteers Engaged Between Events

You’ve just wrapped up a successful event. The energy was incredible, the photos are all over social media, and your thank-you emails have already gone out. 

But here’s the real question: what happens now? How do you keep the momentum alive between events? 

For many nonprofits, volunteer engagement strategies fall short once the event ends. Volunteers return to their routines, emails go unanswered, and the connection that once felt strong begins to fade. 

It’s not that they’ve stopped caring for them, they’ve just lost touch with the mission’s rhythm. And that’s the difference between good programs and great ones.  

The most successful organizations understand that volunteer engagement strategies aren’t just about recruiting or scheduling, they also recognize the importance of ongoing support. They’re about nurturing relationships in the quiet moments between actions. 

Why Staying Engaged Between Events Matters 

The event might be over, but your connection with volunteers shouldn’t be. 

Your volunteers may sign up for tasks, but they stay for the connection. 
When volunteer communication lags between events, volunteers often assume they’re no longer needed. 

Here’s why consistent engagement is critical: 

• It builds long-term trust and loyalty. 

• It transforms one-time helpers into regular contributors. 

• It reduces recruitment costs. 

• It turns volunteers into advocates for your mission. 

A volunteer’s loyalty isn’t built only on experience, it’s built in the quiet weeks that follow. 

Volunteers want to feel seen and valued. Generic emails and updates tend to disengage them quickly.  

They’re individuals with unique motivations, skills, and schedules, and that’s where personalization matters. 

• Send personalized messages before and after each event 

• Share updates that relate specifically to their roles or interests 

• Segment your volunteer list using your CRM (like Salesforce) based on skills, location, or engagement level. 

• Use their preferred channels like email, WhatsApp, or your volunteer management app to stay in touch 

Strong, tailored volunteer communication consistently builds trust and keeps volunteers engaged, even after the event ends. 

Your social channels are more than a highlight reel, they’re a bridge between events. Use them to maintain momentum, spark conversation, and demonstrate the ongoing impact of your mission, like: 

• Post regular impact updates: “This month, volunteers helped distribute 2,500 care packages.” 

• Spotlight volunteers individually share their stories, photos, and quotes 

• Ask questions that invite interaction: “What inspired you to start volunteering?” 

• Celebrating milestones: anniversaries, achievements, or team highlights 

• Share graphics, quotes, or videos that volunteers can repost to amplify your message 

When you use storytelling instead of statistics, you don’t just keep followers, you keep hearts connected. 

Not every volunteer engagement requires an in-person presence. 
A virtual connection keeps relationships strong and opens the door to ideas that might have never surfaced. 

• Host virtual meetups or “volunteer town halls” to discuss upcoming plans and events 

• Send post-event surveys asking for input and improvement ideas 

• Create small virtual committees to brainstorm future projects 

• Recognize online participation with virtual badges or shoutouts 

Even simple online interactions, such as a 20-minute feedback call or an appreciation meetup, can reinforce your volunteer engagement strategies. 

Micro-engagements are small, low-effort actions that help volunteers stay active without committing themselves to full events. 

Ideas include: 

• Sharing a campaign post online 

• Writing a testimonial or short success story 

• Reviewing volunteer resources or training material 

• Mentoring new volunteers 

These bite-sized opportunities allow volunteers to stay connected on their own terms even during busy weeks. 

Recognition builds loyalty and reinforces your volunteer engagement strategies. 

• Host virtual appreciation events or casual meetups 

• Send personalized thank-you notes 

• Highlight volunteers in newsletters or social media posts 

Public celebrations make volunteers feel valued and encourage them to continue participating in the organization's activities. 

Growth keeps engagement alive. Volunteers often crave ways to learn new skills, deepen their understanding of your mission, or take on leadership roles. 

• Offer short virtual training or mini workshops 

• Provide access to impact data so volunteers can see how their efforts contribute 

• Encourage skill-building, like mentoring or leading small teams 

• Use the best tools for tracking donors and volunteer engagement to recommend learning paths based on volunteer roles 

Continuous learning makes volunteers feel like partners in progress, not just participants. 

7. Keep the Mission Front and Center 

A regular newsletter is one of the easiest ways to sustain engagement. It keeps your mission in focus and your volunteers informed.  

• Impact highlights and data 

• Upcoming opportunities 

• Volunteer spotlights 

• Notes from leadership or beneficiaries 

Keep it visual, short, and heartfelt. It’s not about filling inboxes, it’s about reminding people why they care. 

Keep the Connection Alive 

The event might be over, but your relationship with volunteers doesn’t have to fade away. By combining personalized volunteer communication, social media storytelling, virtual interaction, and consistent recognition, your nonprofit can sustain momentum and deepen connections between every event. 

Because true volunteer engagement strategies aren’t about filling shifts, they’re about building relationships that last forever.