Your volunteers are a crucial part of your church. They help your church run the Sunday school, plan and host events, fundraise for your mission, and more. Therefore, appreciating them for their good work and expressing gratitude need to be at the top of your mind. This blog will help you with 15 innovative and meaningful ideas - and offer you a sample volunteer appreciation letter to get started right away!
34% of volunteers report that they volunteer for their church or religious organization. That is higher than most nonprofit sectors. The best way to keep this percentage high and encourage more involvement is by providing more volunteer opportunities and thanking your volunteers whenever possible.
Individuals that volunteer for your church have spent time and effort giving back. Your church must do the same for them. In this article, we share 15 unique ways to show your appreciation and offer a sample thank you letter to get you started.
Many small churches rely on volunteers to keep the doors open. Even if you have enough money to hire staff, your church may need volunteers to teach Sunday school, plan and run events, and share their musical and artistic gifts with your congregation.
Thanking your volunteers must not be an afterthought. Taking some time to come up with unique and special ways to acknowledge volunteers for their efforts will go a long way in their long-term support. Public vows of appreciation for current volunteers also excite others to join in on the fun.
Let’s have a look at the 15 creative church volunteer appreciation ideas that will help you thank volunteers in the best way possible.
The easiest and best way to thank your church’s volunteers is with a personalized letter. You can send these letters at the end of the year around the holidays and also after your volunteers do something exceptional.
Make these letters as personal as possible by sharing specific moments and memories that made their time volunteering special. We have a free sample thank-you letter in this article. First, let us explore other innovative ways to appreciate church volunteers.
Public appreciation is another way your church can thank your volunteers. Make it an annual tradition to welcome volunteers to the front of your church’s sanctuary and give them flowers or another gift along with thanks from the entire congregation.
A unique way to give a personalized and public gift is through your church’s youngest members. Ask your Sunday school classes to create a project or write cards to volunteers throughout the church or just those working with the children.
Pro tip: If your church has an elementary or preschool, you can take the time during service to invite each classroom to the front and thank their teacher with these gifts.
Churches are often stumped about what to include on their bulletin board. A volunteer appreciation wall can be a special and simple way to thank your greatest supporters.
Your church bulletin board should be at the church’s entrance where everyone can see it. You can post pictures of your volunteers with bios and their contributions to the church.
Visit our article for more creative ways to decorate your church bulletin board.
As churches move online and more people attend virtual services, what you post on social media is becoming more important.
Sharing your thanks for church volunteers through regular shoutouts, highlights on individual volunteers, and promoting more volunteer opportunities can be excellent ways to promote your volunteer program and thank your volunteers.
Volunteers at your church are willing to share their passions and skills with your congregation. In return, you can help them develop these skills and show a commitment to their growth.
Churches can find and offer volunteers access to classes, online webinars, and conferences.
This article lists a few must-attend conferences for nonprofits and churches. Check it out and do a little research of your own to find exciting training opportunities near you.
An annual volunteer appreciation event can be a wonderful time to connect with your congregation and thank your church’s strongest supporters.
You can hold a small intimate gathering at someone’s home, an online trivia contest, or a grand gala. The options are endless. Make sure your event matches your volunteers’ interests and make it fun, so they don’t feel like it’s another obligation.
Your church may already have a love offering program for your pastoral staff. Why not collect another love offering to help your church’s volunteers to further develop their skills?
Volunteers can use these funds to attend conferences, sign up for online webinars and workshops, and purchase books and other professional growth tools.
Be clear about who can apply, how to apply for these scholarships, and how the funds can be used. Promote the scholarship on your church’s website, social media, during services, and at special events.
Set up a fundraising campaign for this need using an efficient tool like Donorbox. You can easily create a fundraising campaign that includes a customized donation page and donation form and also use other more advanced methods like crowdfunding or peer-to-peer fundraising. Learn about all Donorbox tools on our website and get started today with our step-by-step guide.
Create a system that allows members to nominate their fellow volunteers and share stories and examples of how they’ve made a positive impact. Create a bulletin board or social media page to highlight these nominations and ensure more people see them.
Create a podcast series where you interview and feature volunteers from your church. Let them share their experiences, stories, and reasons they volunteer with your church.
Contact local businesses for exclusive discounts you can give to your volunteers. Create a discount booklet and surprise your volunteers during services or at a special event.
Who doesn’t appreciate a relaxing vacation? Your volunteers work hard for your church and a few days off shows your appreciation in a unique and exciting way.
Create a retreat that caters to your volunteers’ interests. If you have a large group of younger volunteers, you can invite them to try an exciting activity like white water rafting or relaxing on the beach.
Share God’s message during the retreat to inspire your volunteers and let them interact with each other and build stronger relationships.
Let your volunteers share impactful moments in a time capsule or memory book. Encourage them to write handwritten notes and share photos from their experiences. Bury the capsule to open at a later date.
Share your appreciation in a spiritual way by creating a prayer wall for your volunteers. Place it in a public space where volunteers can write prayer requests and leave appreciation for their fellow volunteers.
Encourage others in your church to visit this wall and pray for them during services.
An excellent way to show your appreciation for new volunteers is with a mentorship program that helps them learn the ropes at once.
Pair new volunteers with experienced ones who can direct them to events and activities that match their interests, answer their questions, and help expand their skills.
Volunteers will understand their worth and feel your love when receiving a personal thank you letter. The sample we provide should help you get started but don’t forget to add a few personal touches and memories to make it special.
Dear (Volunteer Name),
Volunteers have helped our church reach over 1,000 individuals and share God’s love this year. Your help with (volunteer activity) made more of an impact than you may know.
Volunteers like you praised the Lord with beautiful music, artistic displays, affection for the elderly and children of our congregation, and more. The time you spent (give a specific example of how their volunteering made an impact), has helped our church (mention your church’s mission).
We rely on volunteers like you to continue sharing God’s message and encouraging community members to attend services and learn more about His miracles.
We appreciate all you’ve done for (Church Name) this year and want to acknowledge your impact by (mention any volunteer appreciation program or gift or event).
If you have a story to share or another volunteer you’d like to acknowledge, please reach out to (Contact Name and email or phone number).
Our Sincerest Thanks,
NameChurch Name
Volunteering for your church can be an exciting and enlightening experience. Your church can make it even more special and impactful by showing appreciation for those who give their all.
Take the time to write a personal note or letter, give a gift in private or in public, or share more about your volunteers online. The more you show your church’s appreciation for your volunteers, the more volunteers will give back.
If you’re thinking of hosting a volunteer appreciation event or buying meaningful gifts for them and need to raise funds for the same, Donorbox MinistryMatters is here to help! This is a dedicated pillar of Donorbox meant to develop and offer church-focused tools that will take your church giving to the next level and help retain more donors.
Sign up today to raise funds for your church!
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Kristine Ensor is a freelance writer with over a decade of experience working with local and international nonprofits. As a nonprofit professional she has specialized in fundraising, marketing, event planning, volunteer management, and board development.
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Kristine Ensor