There is a place in the world where your skills aren’t just appreciated but are the catalysts for positive change. As a professional woman who has weathered storms and celebrated triumphs, there comes a moment when the call for something more resonates deeply. Enter the realm of skills-based volunteering—a space where your expertise isn’t just welcomed; it’s the key to unlocking a world of impact. So, grab your metaphorical cape, because we’re about to explore how your skills can be the superpower our communities need.
What is skills-based volunteering?
You may be wondering, what exactly is skills-based volunteering? It’s when you apply your professional expertise to help another organization or individual without monetary compensation. Compared to other types of volunteering that don’t require or utilize the skills you have gained in the workforce. It is extremely flexible, requiring as little as a few hours or longer depending on the organization and your personal preference.
Pro bono (Latin for ‘for the good’) attorney typically comes to mind when most contemplate skills-based volunteering. However, almost all professional skills can be utilized by small and medium-sized nonprofits providing unique benefits to both the volunteer as well as the organization.
Benefits for Skills-Based Volunteers
Learn how your existing skills can be leveraged by different sectors. If you work in tech, it is nice to see that project planning, quality assurance, and management can be leveraged, and greatly valued, by organizations outside the tech sector.
Boost your confidence. What you may think are rather baseline skills will be held in awe by those you’ll be working with. Remember most business practices are not well known in smaller non-profit organizations. Delivering services is their focus, not marketing, accounting, or IT.
Expand portfolios for those creative types. If you’re just starting out in your career – or even considering a career change, it may be challenging to develop a robust body of work. Small and mid-size nonprofits need websites, brochures, and overall branding. Individuals just starting out can expand their skills by providing these services. Even experienced professionals can utilize success stories to demonstrate their versatility.
Professional Development. Exposure to leadership opportunities, new skills, and subject matter may translate into professional growth and expand your career trajectory.
Meet nice people. Okay, this is a stereotype but I feel comfortable making it. Non-profit employees by their choice of occupation are kind and appreciative which might be a stark contrast to your everyday work life where you interact with folks obsessed with deadlines, project release dates, sales quotas, personal success, and revenue goals.
Be reminded of goodness. In big and small ways there are so many in our community who spend their days working to help others and make life better. You probably know this but I think it is easy to forget, so I will always take a reminder.
Benefits for Nonprofits
Lower Overall Costs. Any professional functions that nonprofits don’t have to pay for help the bottom line.
Exposure to Different Practices. Being in the trenches day in and day out may result in unintended blind spots when it comes to leveraging all assets. An outsider’s perspective, especially around strategy and management, can elevate a nonprofit’s performance.
Increase Nonprofit Staff Skills and Capacity. Nonprofit staff can learn by working alongside and collaborating with skills-based volunteers.
Accelerate onboarding and impact. Pairing the expertise of a nonprofit professional and a skills-based volunteer can blend the best of both worlds where both learn from each other while actively delivering an outcome for the non-profit.
There are many ways to leverage your professional skills to make an impact on others besides your day job. Whether it is skills-based volunteering or mentoring one-on-one, the professional skills which you’ve honed for years are truly valued in the community.
Discover platforms to find skills-based volunteer opportunities here.
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