Strengthening a volunteer strategy is not always about fixing a struggling program. Sometimes it is about preparing a successful program for growth.

In this episode, Tobi Johnson is joined by Lisa Lopez and Paola Gonzalez from ScholarMatch to discuss how their organization examined its volunteer engagement model. Through an eight-month collaboration, the team evaluated their systems, explored new ways to support volunteers, and began building a framework to expand their impact.

During the conversation, Lisa and Paola share the story behind ScholarMatch’s mission to support first-generation college students and explain how volunteer coaches guide students through the college application process. From building college lists to reviewing financial aid offers and essays, volunteers help students navigate a system many families experience for the first time.

The episode also explores strategy work behind the scenes, including program audits, communications reviews, volunteer journey mapping, and targeted recruitment strategies. These efforts helped the team step back from daily operations, identify opportunities for improvement, and rethink how volunteers are recruited, supported, and developed as leaders.

If your organization is thinking about expanding volunteer capacity or improving its systems, this episode offers a real-world look at what it takes to strengthen a volunteer strategy while continuing to serve your mission.

Full show notes: 204. Transforming Your Volunteer Strategy: A Case Study with ScholarMatch 

Volunteer Strategy - Episode Highlights 

• [00:50] - Meet ScholarMatch Guests 
• [09:15] - Why Volunteerism Matters 
• [17:24] - First Gen Barriers 
• [22:26] - Volunteer Coaches Impact 
• [35:05] - Scaling Needs New Systems 
• [36:12] - Outside Perspective Benefits 
• [45:37] - Volunteer Personas Breakthrough 
• [48:58] - Big Strategy Shifts 
• [57:17] - What’s Next For ScholarMatch 
• [01:04:24] - Final Reflections And Wrap 

Helpful Links 

• Volunteer Management Progress Report  
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab  
• Volunteer Nation Episode #019: Improve the Volunteer Experience with a Journey Map  
• Volunteer Nation Episode #189: How to Use a Communications Audit to Recruit More Volunteers  
• ScholarMatch Website 
• ScholarMatch Volunteer Page  
• Email  
• ScholarMatch on Instagram  
• ScholarMatch on Facebook  
• ScholarMatch 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 [email protected].