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50 LOW-COST VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION GIFTS AND IDEAS

EM


Posted by Emily Mathias



Volunteers do spectacular work in our communities every day, and even a small
gesture of appreciation goes a long way. Give your volunteers a little love this
year with these 50 low-cost ideas.


PDA (PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF “APPRECIATION”)

Showcase your volunteers as a great example to others.

 1. Social Media Shout-Out – Use Facebook Group pages or Twitter to spotlight a
    volunteer each month. Encourage “likes,” compliments and shares. Be sure to
    monitor the page.
 2. “Chalk” It Up to Our Volunteers – Buy chalkboard paint and use it to cover a
    highly visible section of wall. Each week or month, write a thank you and
    compliment on the wall. Keep chalk handy for others to add to it.
 3. Helping Hands Day – Distribute handprint cutouts and ask everyone to write a
    volunteer name and compliment on the cutout. Tape them to a highly visible
    wall on a special day.
 4. Thank You Boards – Decorate poster boards with a volunteer’s special
    interests and a thank you message. Provide a space for folks to sign, and
    put it up for everyone to see.
 5. Recognition Ceremony – Before or after a fundraiser or event, recognize
    volunteers with a certificate and a nice comment about how they have helped.
 6. Thank You Box – Set out a box and index cards, with a volunteer name and
    instructions on the box in a high traffic area. As people come and go, they
    can write a special message for the volunteer and put it in the box. Be sure
    to check over the entries before giving the box to your volunteer.
 7. Bulletin Board – Decorate a bulletin board that showcases volunteers each
    month.
 8. Volunteer Spotlight – In newsletters or emails, write a paragraph about a
    volunteer and why they are special to the organization.
 9. Parking Spots – Have regular volunteers? Designate volunteer parking spots
    close to the building.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Collect RSVPS for a volunteer luncheon with an online sign up! SAMPLE

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


LOW-COST PARTIES

Parties don’t have to be complicated, and they can be built into the workday or
another event.

 1. A Cheers to You Party – Why do we wait till people are dead to talk great
    about them? Put your volunteer in a chair and ask several folks (ahead of
    time) to stand up and give a “toast”-style speech as a tribute to the
    volunteer.
 2. Sunrise Surprise — If you have a large amount of volunteers working a
    morning event, provide food and snacks for energy. Place a sign on the table
    with thanks and appreciation.
 3. Silly Awards – Hand out silly certificate awards, such as Most Likely to
    Need Coffee, Most Likely to Become One of Santa’s Elves, Most Likely to Quit
    This Volunteer Gig and Start Working Retail, etc.
 4. Potluck – Invite volunteers to an appreciation party and ask folks, such as
    teachers or staff members (not volunteers) to bring food. An alternative
    idea is to solicit donations from local businesses that may benefit from the
    marketing opportunity to sponsor this event.
 5. Cookie Swap – Ask folks (not volunteers) to bake three to five dozen cookies
    each. Instruct them to put 10 cookies in different Ziploc bags. On the day
    of the cookie exchange, your volunteers get a gift bag and go cookie
    shopping! Genius tip: Send out a SignUpGenius invite to make sure you have
    enough people baking cookies! Several local bakeries may help you collect
    just what you need.
 6. Meet the Stars — Ask a local celebrity that supports your organization to
    surprise your volunteers with a meet and greet. You could also arrange a
    behind-the-scenes tour of a local hot spot, performance venue or sports
    arena.
 7. Volunteer All Stars – Grill out at a local park when the weather is nice and
    hold a softball game — volunteers versus professional staff.
 8. Talent Show – Incorporate some live entertainment into an event. Ask a few
    folks ahead of time to perform at the appreciation party. Ideas: kids who
    play the piano, teens who sing or play guitar.
 9. Night Out - Give moms and dads a free night of babysitting.  Tap into your
    middle and high schoolers for help with this. Genius Tip: Use SignUpGenius
    for mom and dad to reserve spots for their children, and schedule your
    babysitters as well.




A LITTLE PUN

Pair small items or candy with a cute pun, written on a handmade card.  The
Internet abounds with different ideas for this one! 

 1.  It’s Been Such a “Treat” to Have You as a Volunteer! (Any candy item)
 2.  Thank You for Always Going the “Extra” Mile! (Chewing gum)
 3.  Thanks a Latte! (Coffee item)
 4.  Thank for Your “Commit-mint”/ Your Help “Mint” So Much!
 5.  You are Worth a Million / Thanks a Million! (1,000,000 Grand candy bars)
 6.  We “Donut” What We Would Have Done Without You!
 7.  No One Holds a Candle to You!
 8.  Have a “Toe-riffic” Summer / Mani-Thanks! (Nail polish or gift cards)
 9.  Faith/Education is Like a Seed. If Planted, It Will Grow (Seed pack)
 10. Take “Note” - We Love You! (Note cards)
 11. We Need S’more Volunteers Like You! (S’more kit: Hershey bar, marshmallows
     and graham crackers)
 12. Thanks for Popping in to Help! (Microwave popcorn)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Collect donations for volunteer goodie bags with an online sign up! SAMPLE

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


DIY

Do-it-yourself projects can be a low-cost, thoughtful way to say thank you. Turn
this idea into a staff meeting to get gifts ready for your volunteers.

 1. Fairy lights/lanterns – Buy a mason jar and glow-in-the-dark acrylic paint.
    Dot the mason jar all over with paint. It becomes a beautiful lantern in a
    dark room.  Add treats and put the lid on top (it will glow better when
    empty). Add glue and glitter to the lid for extra pizazz.
 2. Handwritten Cards – A simple handwritten, signed card with a nice message is
    sometimes all you need. Thumbprints work great if it’s from a group of kids.
 3. Thank You Tree – Buy a miniature tree, artificial or real, and tie gift
    cards to it like ornaments. Best used when multiple people are giving gifts
    to a small group of volunteers.
 4. Video – Film a video of your group talking about volunteers, saying thank
    you, singing or holding letters that spell out thank you. Post on social
    media or attach to a broadcast email. Even better: Film a video of
    individuals that have benefitted from a recent event or volunteer
    initiative. This can be highly impactful and help volunteers know the value
    of their efforts.
 5. Framed Picture – Take a group picture and buy a frame with a mat. avFolks
    sign around the mat.
 6. Picture Items – Put a group picture on a book bag, cup or coasters.
 7. Food – Mini-loaf cakes, chocolate-dipped pretzels, trail mix in a cute jar,
    any special food item made with love.
 8. Recipe Books – Have staff members collect their favorite recipes and compile
    booklets for volunteers.
 9. Bookmarks – Find your favorite quotes about volunteering or service,
    laminate and punch a hole for ribbon on top.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Plan a book drive with an online sign up! SAMPLE

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


LOW-COST RETAIL GIFT IDEAS

Have a smaller group of volunteers or generous group of corporate donors? Small,
thoughtful items from local stores will make volunteers feel pampered.

 1.  Monogrammed – Who doesn’t like a gift with their name or first letter of
     name? Notecards, tote bags, cups or necklaces are a good place to start.
     Corporate sponsors may also pay for this if they get their name on the
     product as well.
 2.  Lanyards – Order custom lanyards with your organization’s logo for
     volunteers to place their badges.
 3.  T-Shirts - Pass out same color T-shirts to your volunteer team with a name
     or slogan. At events they can wear their shirts, and other folks will
     easily identify them!
 4.  Funny sign – Search online and find a funny volunteer sign. Do-it-yourself:
     Paint the slogan on a mini-chalkboard. Some ideas: “If you don’t like what
     you see, volunteer”; “Stop me before I volunteer again”; “Hospital
     Volunteer. Will work for cupcakes.”
 5.  Supplies – Purchase useful volunteer supplies: Clipboard, antibacterial
     gel, extra pens and organizational apps.
 6.  Stay-cation in a Bag – Package an aromatherapy candle, slippers or cozy
     socks with a heartfelt note.
 7.  Spa Day in a Bag – Help your volunteers relax with bath salts, chocolate, a
     candle, tea packets and ear buds.
 8.  Movie Night in a Bag – Pick a seasonal movie or a movie gift card and
     package with popcorn and candy from the dollar store.
 9.  “Book” Bag – Decorate an inexpensive canvas tote with paint or a iron-on
     patch and put a book, audiobook or gift card inside. Check out half-priced
     bookstores for good deals.
 10. Travel Bag – For the volunteer on the go: travel and toiletry items, ear
     buds, a reading light, energy bars, trail mix or collapsible bag.
 11. Seasonal Items – If you have a big volunteer effort during the winter or
     summer months, give out hand warmers, gloves, a scarf, water bottles,
     sunscreen or hats.

Volunteers are important parts of many organizations, so encourage a spirit of
volunteerism that will fuel your mission and keep everyone coming back for more!

Emily Mathias is a freelance writer living in Charlotte, N.C.

 


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Resources / Nonprofits


50 LOW-COST VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION GIFTS AND IDEAS

Volunteers do spectacular work in our communities every day, and even a small
gesture of appreciation goes a long way. Give your volunteers a little love this
year with these 50 low-cost ideas.




PDA (PUBLIC DISPLAYS OF “APPRECIATION”)

Showcase your volunteers as a great example to others.





 1. Social Media Shout-Out – Use Facebook Group pages or Twitter to spotlight a
    volunteer each month. Encourage “likes,” compliments and shares. Be sure to
    monitor the page.
 2. “Chalk” It Up to Our Volunteers – Buy chalkboard paint and use it to cover a
    highly visible section of wall. Each week or month, write a thank you and
    compliment on the wall. Keep chalk handy for others to add to it.
 3. Helping Hands Day – Distribute handprint cutouts and ask everyone to write a
    volunteer name and compliment on the cutout. Tape them to a highly visible
    wall on a special day.
 4. Thank You Boards – Decorate poster boards with a volunteer’s special
    interests and a thank you message. Provide a space for folks to sign, and
    put it up for everyone to see.
 5. Recognition Ceremony – Before or after a fundraiser or event, recognize
    volunteers with a certificate and a nice comment about how they have helped.
 6. Thank You Box – Set out a box and index cards, with a volunteer name and
    instructions on the box in a high traffic area. As people come and go, they
    can write a special message for the volunteer and put it in the box. Be sure
    to check over the entries before giving the box to your volunteer.
 7. Bulletin Board – Decorate a bulletin board that showcases volunteers each
    month.
 8. Volunteer Spotlight – In newsletters or emails, write a paragraph about a
    volunteer and why they are special to the organization.
 9. Parking Spots – Have regular volunteers? Designate volunteer parking spots
    close to the building.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Collect RSVPS for a volunteer luncheon with an online sign up! SAMPLE



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


LOW-COST PARTIES

Parties don’t have to be complicated, and they can be built into the workday or
another event.







 1. A Cheers to You Party – Why do we wait till people are dead to talk great
    about them? Put your volunteer in a chair and ask several folks (ahead of
    time) to stand up and give a “toast”-style speech as a tribute to the
    volunteer.
 2. Sunrise Surprise — If you have a large amount of volunteers working a
    morning event, provide food and snacks for energy. Place a sign on the table
    with thanks and appreciation.
 3. Silly Awards – Hand out silly certificate awards, such as Most Likely to
    Need Coffee, Most Likely to Become One of Santa’s Elves, Most Likely to Quit
    This Volunteer Gig and Start Working Retail, etc.
 4. Potluck – Invite volunteers to an appreciation party and ask folks, such as
    teachers or staff members (not volunteers) to bring food. An alternative
    idea is to solicit donations from local businesses that may benefit from the
    marketing opportunity to sponsor this event.
 5. Cookie Swap – Ask folks (not volunteers) to bake three to five dozen cookies
    each. Instruct them to put 10 cookies in different Ziploc bags. On the day
    of the cookie exchange, your volunteers get a gift bag and go cookie
    shopping! Genius tip: Send out a SignUpGenius invite to make sure you have
    enough people baking cookies! Several local bakeries may help you collect
    just what you need.
 6. Meet the Stars — Ask a local celebrity that supports your organization to
    surprise your volunteers with a meet and greet. You could also arrange a
    behind-the-scenes tour of a local hot spot, performance venue or sports
    arena.
 7. Volunteer All Stars – Grill out at a local park when the weather is nice and
    hold a softball game — volunteers versus professional staff.
 8. Talent Show – Incorporate some live entertainment into an event. Ask a few
    folks ahead of time to perform at the appreciation party. Ideas: kids who
    play the piano, teens who sing or play guitar.
 9. Night Out - Give moms and dads a free night of babysitting.  Tap into your
    middle and high schoolers for help with this. Genius Tip: Use SignUpGenius
    for mom and dad to reserve spots for their children, and schedule your
    babysitters as well.




A LITTLE PUN

Pair small items or candy with a cute pun, written on a handmade card.  The
Internet abounds with different ideas for this one! 





 1.  It’s Been Such a “Treat” to Have You as a Volunteer! (Any candy item)
 2.  Thank You for Always Going the “Extra” Mile! (Chewing gum)
 3.  Thanks a Latte! (Coffee item)
 4.  Thank for Your “Commit-mint”/ Your Help “Mint” So Much!
 5.  You are Worth a Million / Thanks a Million! (1,000,000 Grand candy bars)
 6.  We “Donut” What We Would Have Done Without You!
 7.  No One Holds a Candle to You!
 8.  Have a “Toe-riffic” Summer / Mani-Thanks! (Nail polish or gift cards)
 9.  Faith/Education is Like a Seed. If Planted, It Will Grow (Seed pack)
 10. Take “Note” - We Love You! (Note cards)
 11. We Need S’more Volunteers Like You! (S’more kit: Hershey bar, marshmallows
     and graham crackers)
 12. Thanks for Popping in to Help! (Microwave popcorn)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Collect donations for volunteer goodie bags with an online sign up! SAMPLE



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


DIY

Do-it-yourself projects can be a low-cost, thoughtful way to say thank you. Turn
this idea into a staff meeting to get gifts ready for your volunteers.





 1. Fairy lights/lanterns – Buy a mason jar and glow-in-the-dark acrylic paint.
    Dot the mason jar all over with paint. It becomes a beautiful lantern in a
    dark room.  Add treats and put the lid on top (it will glow better when
    empty). Add glue and glitter to the lid for extra pizazz.
 2. Handwritten Cards – A simple handwritten, signed card with a nice message is
    sometimes all you need. Thumbprints work great if it’s from a group of kids.
 3. Thank You Tree – Buy a miniature tree, artificial or real, and tie gift
    cards to it like ornaments. Best used when multiple people are giving gifts
    to a small group of volunteers.
 4. Video – Film a video of your group talking about volunteers, saying thank
    you, singing or holding letters that spell out thank you. Post on social
    media or attach to a broadcast email. Even better: Film a video of
    individuals that have benefitted from a recent event or volunteer
    initiative. This can be highly impactful and help volunteers know the value
    of their efforts.
 5. Framed Picture – Take a group picture and buy a frame with a mat. avFolks
    sign around the mat.
 6. Picture Items – Put a group picture on a book bag, cup or coasters.
 7. Food – Mini-loaf cakes, chocolate-dipped pretzels, trail mix in a cute jar,
    any special food item made with love.
 8. Recipe Books – Have staff members collect their favorite recipes and compile
    booklets for volunteers.
 9. Bookmarks – Find your favorite quotes about volunteering or service,
    laminate and punch a hole for ribbon on top.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Plan a book drive with an online sign up! SAMPLE



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


LOW-COST RETAIL GIFT IDEAS

Have a smaller group of volunteers or generous group of corporate donors? Small,
thoughtful items from local stores will make volunteers feel pampered.





 1.  Monogrammed – Who doesn’t like a gift with their name or first letter of
     name? Notecards, tote bags, cups or necklaces are a good place to start.
     Corporate sponsors may also pay for this if they get their name on the
     product as well.
 2.  Lanyards – Order custom lanyards with your organization’s logo for
     volunteers to place their badges.
 3.  T-Shirts - Pass out same color T-shirts to your volunteer team with a name
     or slogan. At events they can wear their shirts, and other folks will
     easily identify them!
 4.  Funny sign – Search online and find a funny volunteer sign. Do-it-yourself:
     Paint the slogan on a mini-chalkboard. Some ideas: “If you don’t like what
     you see, volunteer”; “Stop me before I volunteer again”; “Hospital
     Volunteer. Will work for cupcakes.”
 5.  Supplies – Purchase useful volunteer supplies: Clipboard, antibacterial
     gel, extra pens and organizational apps.
 6.  Stay-cation in a Bag – Package an aromatherapy candle, slippers or cozy
     socks with a heartfelt note.
 7.  Spa Day in a Bag – Help your volunteers relax with bath salts, chocolate, a
     candle, tea packets and ear buds.
 8.  Movie Night in a Bag – Pick a seasonal movie or a movie gift card and
     package with popcorn and candy from the dollar store.
 9.  “Book” Bag – Decorate an inexpensive canvas tote with paint or a iron-on
     patch and put a book, audiobook or gift card inside. Check out half-priced
     bookstores for good deals.
 10. Travel Bag – For the volunteer on the go: travel and toiletry items, ear
     buds, a reading light, energy bars, trail mix or collapsible bag.
 11. Seasonal Items – If you have a big volunteer effort during the winter or
     summer months, give out hand warmers, gloves, a scarf, water bottles,
     sunscreen or hats.

Volunteers are important parts of many organizations, so encourage a spirit of
volunteerism that will fuel your mission and keep everyone coming back for more!



Emily Mathias is a freelance writer living in Charlotte, N.C.

 


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