Our COVID-19 Efforts

Helping you give back in safe, immediate, and impactful ways, our COVID-19 Response Hub houses a curated set of the crucial needs of nonprofits from donations of essential items to virtual volunteering. Click below to browse opportunities as a volunteer or post your opportunities as a nonprofit.

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Help support urgent community needs created by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak, while keeping in mind the following:

  • Honor the public health recommendations. If you’re delivering supplies or food to a family or organization, follow the suggestion of social distancing – ring the doorbell and move away from the door, text them beforehand, etc.

  • Feel connected through solo volunteering. Even if you’ve signed up for a solo volunteering opportunity – like delivering food to someone who needs it or distributing door hangers with information – know that the people you’re helping appreciate your outreach and you’re helping people feel connected. You’re also staying true to the health department’s suggestion of social distancing.

  • Look for opportunities that are limited in size. Organizations know how important of a role they play in minimizing the spread of the disease. If you are committed to volunteering with others, look for a group size of 10 or less.

  • Stay home when you are sick. Of course, you should be doing all of the things to stay safe – handwashing, limiting exposure, etc. – but this one deserves a second shout out. If you are not feeling well, please stay home and get well. Thanks to people who think like you, there will be plenty of volunteers out there to help when needed.

 

Volunteer Resources for Nonprofits During COVID-19

We will continue to update this page with additional resources.

Volunteer Response Hub for COVID-19

In an effort to best support our nonprofit partners as you maintain services for many of the most vulnerable in our community, HandsOn Twin Cities set up a centralized hub where volunteers can easily connect to the most immediate volunteer needs, including in-person, virtual and in-kind items needed. Click here for step by step instructions on how to link your existing or new volunteer needs to the Volunteer Response Hub Covid-19 Initiative.


If your organization is not yet posting volunteer opportunities through the HandsOn Twin Cities Volunteer Opportunity Database - register here (this is a free and easy service available to all nonprofits). If you have questions, contact Katie Walsh at katie@handsontwincities.org. 

Virtual Consultations

Our team is here to listen, share resources, and connect!  Our priority is supporting our nonprofit partners and gain understanding of your most critical needs now and in the months to come. Contact Katie Walsh at katie@handsontwincities.org to schedule a one-to-one virtual consultation. Check out the 2022 Nonprofit Member Survey Summary - Volunteer Engagement in a Pandemic

 

Re-engaging Volunteers

Resources for volunteer programs as recovery continues

 

Volunteer Engagement Planning

Digital resources to successfully engage volunteers.

  • Volunteer Workbook: Shelter in place workbook from VolunteerPro to help users with goal setting and leadership virtually.

  • Engagement Plan: Develop your organizations Covid 19 volunteer response plan from VQ Strategies.

  • Volunteering During COVID19: a compilation of qualitative and quantitative data.

  • MAVA's COVID-19 Response Guide: Found here.

  • Pro Roundup for Volunteer Coordinators: Resources to Help You Manage Volunteers.

  • Case Study: How Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly is engaging volunteers during COVID-19. Learn more here.

 

Volunteer Communications

Tools to effectively communicate with volunteers.

  • Volunteer Engagement: Tips for keeping volunteers engaged.

  • Essential Volunteer Letter: Example letter from PRISM for essential volunteers.

  • Social Media Tips and Resources: List of helpful platforms for creating content and posting tips.

  • Volunteer Communications: Example email from Open Arms to keep volunteers informed and engaged.

  • Technology for Virtual Events: Chart of different technological platforms for virtual events and meetings.

  • Volunteer Survey: Sample questions to prepare for in-person volunteering and staying connected with volunteers.

 

Virtual Volunteering and Pro Bono Volunteering

Engaging volunteers virtually and finding pro bono help.

  • Virtual Volunteering: Tips on how to engage volunteers virtually, IT needs, and task examples.

  • Pro Bono Roles: Examples of ways pro bono volunteers can help build capacity in your organization.

  • Virtual Volunteer Activities: Examples of ways to virtually engage volunteers with your organization.

  • Virtual Volunteer Role Assessment: Form designed to guide conversations between volunteer engagement leaders and staff partners.

  • Tips for Successful Virtual Volunteer Programs: This is a helpful article to read.

 

Virtual Onboarding

Resources for onboarding volunteers including technology tips.

  • Background Check Resources: Here are a few things to think about when screening volunteers.

  • Conducting Virtual Interviews: Consider these tips when interviewing volunteers virtually.

  • Creating a Successful Virtual Orientation: Check out these tips to create a successful online orientation that covers all the information helpful for volunteers.

  • Virtual Training: Detailed plan for building online training from VQ Strategies.

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