Volunteers in the news: Data scientists are helping nonprofits change the game

Infographics - they're fun, attention-grabbing, and a popular trend in marketing.  A good infographic can help an audience make sense of complicated or long-winded data, or help them focus their attention on what might be considered dull information in another context.

More and more, nonprofits are catching on to these creative information-sharing images (like the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which has a whole web page dedicated to the things).  They're helping grab the attention of all audiences - from Millenials who are drawn to the popular visuals, to donors and volunteers who want clearer information about the organizations they support.

Infographic on Inforgraphics - by Ivan Cash

The Chronicle of Philanthropy even ran a recent article about infographics and nonprofits.  What is striking about the Chronicle's article is not so much the use of infographics (they've been around for a while now), but the fact that organizations of volunteers are popping up to help nonprofits create these eye-catching materials.  Data without Borders, for instance, matches nonprofits with volunteer data scientists to complete data projects (like presenting information through infographics).

From a volunteer management standpoint, this is great news.  Skilled volunteers (data scientists) are being matched with nonprofits in need (of better marketing and clearer presentation of their data), to provide the highly-specialized help that skilled volunteer is meant to provide.  It's proof that volunteers don't just need to be used on the front lines - they can be utilized at all levels of a nonprofit.

What needs does your organization have?  What do you need to be able to meet your mission?  Maybe if a volunteer came in to update your technology, the organization could communicate more effectively with volunteers, donors, and clients?  Perhaps a volunteer with great organizational skills could help redesign the filing system, or someone with an eye for design and data can create an infographic that connects volunteers to your cause.

Think outside the box with volunteers, and you never know where you can find that you need help.  A little bit of creativity in creating volunteer positions could go a long way in changing the game for your organization.