643. How to Build a Volunteer-Centric Culture + Mobilize Your Volunteers(Jennifer Sirangelo)
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Overview
Meet Jennifer 🤝, the President + CEO of Points of Light. She’s leading the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service—mobilizing nearly 4 million volunteers across 32 countries to create healthier, more equitable communities where everyone can thrive.
In this episode, Jennifer shares her own story—from her early days as a volunteer to leadership roles with National 4-H Council, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and now Points of Light. Along the way, she’s learned the power of people coming together to serve, and she’s on a mission to double volunteer engagement by 2035.
You’ll hear how Points of Light is partnering with nonprofits, companies, and social impact leaders to meet critical community needs. Plus, Jennifer offers practical wisdom for nonprofits navigating the challenges of recruiting and retaining volunteer and her hope-filled vision of what’s possible when we build cultures rooted in service.
✨ It’s a conversation about purpose, resilience, and the belief that when we give of ourselves, we light the way for others too.
Learn:
The power of volunteerism to build healthy, equitable communities ✨
The pivotal role of volunteer centers in mobilizing service
Bold strategies + challenges in doubling volunteer engagement by 2035
Practical tips for recruiting, training + retaining volunteers
How to create thriving, volunteer-centric cultures inside organizations
Why volunteering fuels resilience, growth + deeper community connection
Today’s Guest:
Jennifer Sirangelo | President + CEO, Points of Light.
“I hope I can encourage people who are listening to have the courage and be comfortable welcoming people and asking them to join your mission”
Episode Transcript
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Episode Highlights
Jennifer's Early Experiences with Volunteering and Nonprofit Work (05:30)
The Importance of Volunteer Centers and Their Role in Community Impact (12:45)
Strategies for Doubling Volunteer Engagement by 2035 (20:10)
Challenges in Recruiting and Retaining Volunteers (28:25)
Building a Volunteer-Centric Culture in Organizations (35:40)
Personal Growth and Resilience Through Volunteering (42:55)
Jennifer's ‘One Good Thing’ (40:00)
Powerful Quotes
“⅓ of the workforce in the US of our nonprofits are volunteers.” -Jennifer Sirangelo
“Of all the volunteer opportunities that we work on and source, only about half of those get filled.” -Jennifer Sirangelo
“We need to go out and say as a country, we need to double volunteering.” -Jennifer Sirangelo
“The number one reason people volunteer is because someone asked them to.” -Jennifer Sirangelo
“That’s one of the reasons corporate volunteering is so important. It’s a rare case that volunteering is required at a company. They invite people at scale.” -Jennifer Sirangelo
“I wasn’t bound by what I knew. There was a bigger world and I realized that people wanted to invest.” -Jennifer Sirangelo
“I’m not twisting someone’s arm to volunteer or give, it’s my job to believe in my mission, put it out there, and it’s their choice.” - Jennifer Sirangelo
Jennifer’s One Good Thing “Think about what gives you the most joy in what you do. How can you connect that in how you give your time?”
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