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].

Volunteer burnout is not always caused by time, workload, or lack of commitment. In many cases, it happens when leaders begin to feel less effective in their roles. As confidence and enjoyment decline, even experienced volunteers may start to disengage or step away. 

In this episode, Tobi Johnson sits down with leadership performance coach Paul Clarke to discuss new research on why volunteer leaders struggle under pressure and what organizations can do to better support them. They explore the gap between knowing what to do and being able to apply those skills in real-world situations, along with the emotional and organizational challenges that impact long-term retention. 

If you lead volunteers or are building a leadership pipeline, this conversation will help you rethink development, communication, and support. You will gain practical insights to strengthen resilience, improve retention, and create an environment where volunteer leaders feel confident, connected, and motivated to continue making an impact. 

Full show notes: 203. Preventing Volunteer Burnout - New Research with Paul Clarke 

Volunteer Burnout - Episode Highlights 

• [00:49] - Why Leaders Burn Out 
• [04:30] - Paul’s Coaching Journey 
• [10:15] - GAA and Grassroots Sports 
• [19:27] - Methodology and Surprises 
• [24:32] - Early Warning Signs 
• [30:15] - Five Competencies Overview 
• [31:26] - Authenticity Under Pressure 
• [33:12] - Emotional Intelligence Under Stress 
• [36:06] - Governance Managing Up 
• [37:09] - Managing Upward Conflicts 
• [40:26] - Beyond Performance Connection 
• [43:11] - Data Versus Belonging 
• [48:56]- Peer Learning Mentorship 
• [55:39] - Relational Culture Fix 
• [59:47] - AI Curiosity Future 

Helpful Links 

• Volunteer Management Progress Report  
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab  
• Volunteer Nation Episode #185 - To Burnout & Back: My Secret Struggle with Long COVID  
• Volunteer Nation Episode #035: 6 Ways to Prevent Burnout in Nonprofits  
• Find Paul on LinkedIn  
• The Leaders Coach 
• 'Fine Lines" Weekly Leadership Newsletter (complimentary sign-up link)  
• Follow Paul on Instagram  
• Pauls' Email  

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].

Volunteer events can be some of the most powerful tools nonprofits have, but they can also be some of the most stressful. 

In this episode, Tobi Johnson shares key takeaways from a recent high-energy training inside the Volunteer Pro Impact Lab, where she taught nonprofit leaders how to run volunteer events that create real impact without chaos or burnout. 

Whether you’re hosting corporate teams, community groups, or special one-time volunteer days, this episode will help you rethink how you design, plan, and follow up on events so they become strategic relationship-building opportunities, not just logistical headaches. 

You’ll learn how to move beyond simply “getting the work done” and instead use volunteer events to grow advocates, strengthen partnerships, and create long-term support for your mission. 

Full show notes: 202. Volunteer Events without the Headaches - My Training Takeaways 

Volunteer Events - Episode Highlights 

• [02:20] - Why Volunteer Events Matter (Visibility, Funding, Advocates) 
• [03:17] - Why We Dread Them: Common Pain Points and The Need for Systems 
• [04:26] - Training Context: What the Seminar Covered for One-Time Groups 
• [07:28] - Takeaway #1: Events as Strategic Relationship Builders 
• [09:18] - Takeaway #2: Predictable Problems and Setting Boundaries 
• [12:38] - Takeaway #3: Win in the Planning—Projects, Registration, Expectations, Risk 
• [21:02] - Takeaway #4: The Volunteer Experience Matters as Much as the Work 
• [23:54] - Takeaway #5: Follow-Up Is Where Relationships Grow 
• [26:10] - Final Reflection 

Helpful Links 

• Volunteer Management Progress Report  
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab  
• Episode #115: Your Quick Guide to Amazing Volunteer Events  
• Volunteer Nation Episode #083: Make the Most of Corporate Partnerships with Alyson Gallaher 

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].

What if you never had to panic-recruit volunteers again? 

Scrambling to find 25 volunteers by next week is stressful, reactive, and exhausting. 

In this episode of the Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson shares a smarter approach: build a volunteer pipeline before you need it using simple marketing tools like lead magnets, nurture emails, and even interactive quizzes. 

Instead of chasing people at the last minute, you’ll learn how to create a steady stream of mission-aligned supporters who are already warmed up and ready to say yes. 

This is recruitment that feels calm, proactive, and repeatable. 

Full show notes: 201. How a Lead Magnet Can Help You Recruit On-Demand Volunteers 

Lead Magnet - Episode Highlights 

• [00:27] - Understanding On-Demand Volunteers 
• [01:28] - Emotional Reality of Volunteer Recruitment 
• [02:33] - Building a Volunteer Pipeline 
• [05:17] - What is a Lead Magnet? 
• [08:11] - Creating Effective Lead Magnets 
• [13:10] - Advanced Lead Magnet Strategies 
• [28:41] - The Power of Volunteer Quizzes 
• [34:15] - Practical Steps to Start Building Your Lead Magnet 

Helpful Links 

• Volunteer Management Progress Report  
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab  
• Volunteer Nation Episode #002: How to Recruit Volunteers by Building a Following First 

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].

The 200th episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast marks a major milestone. 

After four years, hundreds of conversations, and insights from volunteer leaders around the world, Tobi Johnson takes a step back to reflect on what has changed in volunteer engagement and what today’s organizations must do differently to build stronger, more sustainable volunteer programs. 

From strategy and systems to recruitment, retention, and leadership influence, this episode distills the most important lessons learned across 200 episodes into ten clear, actionable takeaways. 

Whether you’re a seasoned leader of volunteers or building a program from the ground up, this conversation offers both perspective and practical guidance for the future of the field. 

Full show notes: 200. 10 Lessons from 200 Episodes - The Volunteer Nation Through the Years 

Volunteer Nation - Episode Highlights 

• [01:51] - Reflecting on 200 Episodes 
• [04:19] - The Evolution of Volunteer Engagement 
• [06:16] - Key Lessons from 200 Episodes 
• [11:01] - Volunteer Engagement as Strategy 
• [14:15] - Addressing Capacity Problems 
• [21:46] - The Importance of Meaning in Recruitment 
• [26:45] - Retention Starts Early 
• [30:02] - Empowering Volunteer Managers 
• [30:29] - Building Influence as a Volunteer Manager 
• [32:00] - Supporting Volunteer Leaders in Nonprofits 
• [33:56] - The Evolution of Volunteer Roles 
• [34:30] - Flexible and Team-Based Volunteering 
• [40:29] - Community as a Retention Strategy 
• [44:23] - The Importance of Data in Volunteer Management 
• [50:13] - Challenges and Resilience of Volunteer Leaders 
• [53:49] - The Brave Future of Volunteerism 

Helpful Links 

• Volunteer Management Progress Report  
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab  
• Volunteer Nation Episode #198 - The Future of Volunteerism - Trends & Predictions Part 1 
• Volunteer Nation Episode #199 - The Future of Volunteerism - Trends & Predictions Part 2 

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].

In this episode of The Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson continues her deep dive into the future of volunteerism with Part 2 of her trends and predictions series. 

Building on the first three trends covered in Episode 198, Tobi explores how wellness, technology, data, and evolving models of giving are reshaping how volunteers engage and what leaders need to prepare for next. 

Inspired by futurist Faith Popcorn’s question, “If you knew everything about tomorrow, what would you do differently today?”, this episode is both a practical roadmap and a strategic thought experiment for volunteer leaders who want to stay ahead of the curve. 

Full show notes: 199. The Future of Volunteerism - Trends & Predictions Part 2 

Volunteering Trends - Episode Highlights 

• [00:59] - Volunteering Trends and Predictions: Part 1 Recap 
• [04:41] - Trend #4: Volunteerism as a Prescription for Wellness 
• [09:14] - Trend #5: The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Volunteerism 
• [16:33] - Trend #6: Touchscreen Volunteering 
• [20:31] - Trend #7: Blurring the Lines Between Philanthropy and Giving 
• [25:33] - Trend #8: Better Data and Analysis 
• [28:21] - Recap and Final Thoughts 

Helpful Links 

• Volunteer Management Progress Report  
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab  
• Volunteer Nation Episode #198 - The Future of Volunteerism - Trends & Predictions Part 1 
• Volunteer Nation Episode #183 - The New Reality - Volunteers Don't Need You
• Volunteer Nation Episode #179: Transformative Service Experiences with Frederick J. Riley and Jackie Wolven 
• Faith Popcorn Brain Reserve 
• Book - Volunteer ENGAGEMENT 2.0: Ideas and insights changing the world 

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].

In this episode of The Volunteer Nation Podcast, Tobi Johnson shares Part 1 of her 2026 trends and predictions for the future of volunteerism. This is the first half of a two-part series exploring 8 major shifts shaping how communities show up, how volunteer-driven organizations build trust, and what leaders of volunteers must pay attention to in the year ahead. 

Tobi dives into the first three big trends: accountability, mutual aid, and new psychological insights into belonging and community. 

Full show notes: 198. The Future of Volunteerism - Trends & Predictions Part 1 

Future of Volunteerism - Episode Highlights 

• [00:59] - Trends and Predictions for 2026 
• [06:12] - Trend #1: Public Call for Accountability 
• [16:22] - Trend #2: Resurgence of Mutual Aid Volunteerism 
• [23:27] - Trend #3: Psychological Advances in Community and Belonging 

Helpful Links 

• Volunteer Management Progress Report  
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab  
• Volunteer Nation Episode #183 - The New Reality - Volunteers Don't Need You 
• Faith Popcorn Brain Reserve  
• Book - Volunteer ENGAGEMENT 2.0: Ideas and insights changing the world 
• Volunteer Nation Episode #101: Tap the Power of Psychological Contracts with Pam Kappelides 

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].

In part 2 of our behind-the-scenes series on the Volunteer Management Progress Report, Tobi Johnson returns with Allison Russell, Assistant Professor of Public & Nonprofit Management at the University of Texas at Dallas, for a powerful conversation on practitioner research and what it can teach us about the volunteer engagement profession. 

Allison steps into the interviewer role again as they dig into what the VMPR revealed over a decade of surveying volunteer engagement leaders and how practitioner research can drive real-world improvements in training, leadership, and volunteer program strategy. 

You’ll hear what challenges consistently show up year after year, why response rates matter, and how turning research into action is what makes it truly valuable! 

Full show notes: 197. Behind the Scenes of 10 Years of Industry Research with Allison Russell – Part 2 

Practitioner Research - Episode Highlights 

• [02:06] - Diving into Volunteer Management Research 
• [03:51] - Key Themes in Volunteer Management 
• [05:30] - Challenges in Volunteer Recruitment 
• [06:49] - Respect and Influence in Volunteer Management 
• [08:43] - Using Research to Improve Practices 
• [22:50] - Survey Design and Response Rates 
• [30:33] - Understanding Research Participation 
• [33:50] - Advice for Conducting Survey Research 
• [37:18] - The Importance of Research Follow-Through 
• [38:49] - Challenges in Volunteer Management Research 
• [45:12] - Future Directions in Volunteer Research 
• [50:38] - What's Next for Volunteer Pro 

Helpful Links 

• Volunteer Management Progress Report  
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab  
• Engage Journal  
• Volunteer Nation Episode #196 - Behind the Scenes of 10 Years of Industry Research with Pam Kappelides & Allison Russell 
• Find Allison on LinkedIn  
• Allison’s UT Dallas Profile  

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].

To mark 10 years of the Volunteer Management Progress Report (VMPR), Tobi Johnson hands the mic to nonprofit scholar Allison Russell for a behind-the-scenes conversation about what it really takes to produce a decade-long, global research study, without grant funding, institutional backing, or a full research team. 

Joined by longtime research partner Pam Kappelides, this episode explores why volunteer engagement research matters more than ever, how practice-informed research gets done, and what practitioners can learn (and apply) from the VMPR process. 

Full show notes: 196. Behind the Scenes of 10 Years of Industry Research with Pam Kappelides & Allison Russell – Part 1 

Industry Research - Episode Highlights 

• [00:55] - History of the Volunteer Management Progress Report 
• [13:54] - Importance of Research in Volunteer Engagement 
• [17:25] - Challenges and Innovations in Volunteerism 
• [31:59] - The Origin Story of the Survey 
• [32:43] - The Generosity of the Volunteer Community 
• [33:27] - Planning and Executing the Survey 
• [34:47] - Setting Goals and Philosophical Approaches 
• [36:23] - Steps in Survey Design and Analysis 
• [37:10] - Challenges and Practical Advice 
• [46:02] - Qualitative Analysis and Coding 
• [50:16] - Impact and Reflections 

Helpful Links 

• Volunteer Management Progress Report  
• VolunteerPro Impact Lab  
• Engage Journal  
• Volunteer Nation Episode #101: Tap the Power of Psychological Contracts with Pam Kappelides  
• Volunteer Nation Episode #058: Innovative Models in Volunteerism Research with Lucas Meijs 
• Pam Kappelides and Tobi Johnson, A Heavy Load: Challenges and Current Practices for Volunteer Managers in the USA, Australia, and Canada, Journal of Nonprofit & Public Sector Marketing, 32(1)  
• Find Allison on LinkedIn  
• Allison’s UT Dallas Profile 
• Pam’s LaTrobe Profile  
• Find Pam 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].

As we step into a brand-new year, Tobi takes listeners on a reflective walk through the most popular Volunteer Nation Podcast episodes of 2025, sharing key insights and takeaways from each. 

Think of this as a Reader’s Digest–style recap of the ideas, strategies, and conversations that resonated most with volunteer engagement leaders over the past year and a powerful resource to help you start 2026 with clarity, connection, and momentum! 

Full show notes: 195. The Top 10 Volunteer Nation Podcast for 2025 - Our Countdown 

Volunteer Nation Podcast - Episode Highlights 

• [03:16] - #10: Episode 177, Manage Volunteers Like a Pro and Episode 174, Write Volunteer Emails Volunteers Actually Read 
• [07:11] - #9: Episode 163, New Research from Points of Light with Jennifer Sirangelo 
• [09:46] - #8: Episode 143, Three Big Problems with Your Volunteer Recruitment Flyer 
• [13:56] - #7: Episode 166, Train Volunteers with This Simple 4-Step Framework 
• [18:21] - #6: Episode 146, Expanding the Volunteer Jobs to Be Done at Your Nonprofit 
• [23:11] - #5: Episode 157, A Fresh Take on Volunteer Position Descriptions 
• [27:06] - #4: Episode 176, Beyond Pizza Parties: Innovative Volunteer Appreciation Ideas 
• [31:31] - #3: Episode 154, Entitled or Exploited? Volunteer Bias in Organizations 
• [36:46] - #2: Episode 162, The #1 Secret to Deep Volunteer Participation 
• [39:41] - #1: Episode 147, Volunteer Recruitment Trends from Our New Report 
• [45:16] - Key themes from 2025: mindset, clarity, connection, systems, evolving expectations 
• [49:31] - Final reflections 

Helpful Links 

• Volunteer Management Progress Report  

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].