Finding the Perfect Fit: A Guide to Volunteer Connection & Motivation

There are many different reasons people volunteer for an organization or a cause. It could be to meet more people, gain new knowledge, further a cause they care about, plus many more. By getting to know potential volunteers, organizations can better understand their motivation and determine whether an opportunity meets their needs, reducing wasted time and frustration for everyone. Exploring these questions can help to determine what might motivate and connect a person to volunteering with a project.

Passions and Interests

Ask what they are passionate about and listen to the responses. Somewhere in their answer, there should be a connection with the mission and purpose of your organization. It could be a passion that relieves stress on limited resources, like food access. Or it could be a passion to pass knowledge to the next generation. Once a person’s passions and interests are discovered, leaders can identify opportunities that match them. Start them with what excites them and it becomes a win-win for everyone involved.

Making a Difference

Ask why they were drawn to your particular project or organization. They most likely were drawn to your mission because they care about an issue and want to contribute their time in a way that makes a difference in the community. By asking this question, it also helps the volunteer formulate their own motivation. Help them find a role with relevant work, not just something that will keep them busy. Few people enjoy giving up their time for a task that feels irrelevant. While there are some tasks that just need to get done, the leader’s job is to connect the task back to the mission. Unloading boxes of donated food is hard work that needs to be done, but connecting the work back to how it makes a difference for families in our community helps people feel their time is valued.

Skills to Share

Ask about their past experiences and skills they have. This recognizes that potential volunteers bring a wealth of knowledge with them. If they have been on this earth for a number of years, there are probably skills they have gained along life’s journey. Ask them how they see the skills they have to support your project. They are the expert in their skills and may already have an idea of how to share this skill to benefit an organization. Each volunteer position description should include a list of the responsibilities and skills needed so a volunteer can see themselves being successful in the role.

Social vs. Independent

Many people start and continue to volunteer because of the other volunteers they work with. They enjoy the social aspect of volunteering and connecting with people who are like-minded. Volunteering is often where they meet and connect with friends while working side by side on a project. Sometimes these volunteers become lifelong friends and support each other through the ups and downs of life. On the other end of the spectrum, there will also be some people who don’t need as much social time or have limited time to give. These individuals might be just as happy having a solo project that helps them feel their time fills a need in the community.

Taking time to get to know the volunteers is the best way to ensure they feel valued, motivated, and inspired to share the mission with others in the community. When someone is matched with the right opportunity and has a positive experience, it builds their confidence and connection that keeps them coming back.

by Tracy Hemsath, Volunteer Leadership and Development Agent, May 2026