Volunteering your skills is a powerful way to give back, share your talent, and learn about social causes, but with busy schedules, finding the time can feel like a challenge. One of the biggest barriers volunteers often share with us is carving out space for service in packed personal and professional schedules. Never fear! With decades of experience to pull from, Taproot has gathered our best tips for integrating skills-based volunteering into your routine.
Track Progress Toward Your Volunteerism Goals
A great way to stay on course with your volunteering efforts is to set clear, actionable goals and add regular events to your calendar to keep track of your progress. How many volunteer engagements would you like to complete this year? Can you commit to making volunteering a quarterly, monthly, or biweekly occurrence? Treat your social impact goal with the same priority as professional goals to create a sense of accountability.
Opt for One-Hour Taproot Plus Sessions
If your schedule is tight or unpredictable, start with a one-hour consultation call! Unlike Taproot Projects that can take place over the course of weeks, a Session connects nonprofits with volunteers on a one-hour call to help solve a more narrow, specific problem. 60 minutes may not seem like a lot of time, but they can pack a huge punch. Nonprofits tell us that being able to brainstorm, problem solve, and project plan with an expert on a Session call can be a huge help in building capacity. And your 60 minutes of support is equivalent to a $220 in-kind donation to the organization. By choosing an engagement with a shorter time commitment, you can begin volunteering without feeling overwhelmed—while still making important impact possible. Check out one-hour Session opportunities here.
Include Skills-Based Volunteering in Your Professional Development Plan
Set a growth goal in 2025 to incorporate at least one pro bono project into your professional development activities. Skills-based volunteering can help you enhance existing skills, flex them in new and creative ways, expand your network, and build your leadership capabilities. Integrating pro bono consulting into your professional development plan is a powerful strategy to support your career growth and demonstrate your values. Read more about the resume building benefits of skills-based volunteerism.
Utilize Your Company’s Volunteer Time Off Policy
Many organizations offer Volunteer Time Off (VTO) policies, allowing employees to take paid time off specifically for volunteering. Check your company’s policy and find out how much time you’re eligible for. These policies demonstrate your organization’s values and commitment to social responsibility, so don’t hesitate to use this time to contribute to causes you care about without impacting your work-life balance.
Invite a Friend to Share the Load
Skills-based volunteering doesn’t have to be a solo activity—why not bring a peer or colleague in on the fun! Teaming up can provide an opportunity to share the load of a pro bono project and deliver even more impact for the nonprofit. Partnering on an engagement is also a great way to stay committed and motivated. An added bonus: volunteering together can strengthen workplace relationships and create space to grow your team building and collaboration skills.
Communicate Clearly and Upfront
Last, but certainly not least, communication is key. When kicking off a new project, have the conversation about time commitment and expectations so that your nonprofit partner clearly understands your availability. Setting boundaries from the beginning ensures that both you and the organization can plan effectively. Not to mention that this open dialogue contributes to strong, meaningful partnerships!
Over the course of our 20+ years as leaders in the skills-based volunteering space, Taproot has learned a lot about supporting professionals in their pro bono journey. One of the greatest takeaways: the power of prioritizing skills-based volunteering as a natural part of your career progression. Volunteering is like daily exercise; it’s a crucial contribution to your regular routine that pays dividends for your well-being, sense of community, and professional development.
