LinkedIn isn’t just for job seekers and businesses—it’s a powerful platform for nonprofits to connect with and attract volunteers, board members, and donors. Whether you’re recruiting for National Volunteer Month in April or seeking help year-round, LinkedIn and other social media platforms can significantly amplify your nonprofit’s visibility and reach.

Discover actionable strategies to maximize LinkedIn and social media to grow your nonprofit community and attract volunteers, board members, and donors.

👉 Don’t miss the upcoming Nonprofit Marketing Summit from March 4-6, 2025! 👈

Optimize Your LinkedIn Profile for Nonprofit Success

Your LinkedIn profile can be a key tool for promoting your nonprofit organization. Here are some ways to optimize it for maximum impact:

• Customize Your LinkedIn URL: Simplify how people find you by creating a branded, memorable LinkedIn URL.
• Highlight Nonprofit Work: Fill gaps in your employment history with volunteer roles in the “Experience” section. Focus on the skills and impact you demonstrated.
• Use Nonprofit-Focused and Other Keywords: Optimize your profile using relevant keywords like nonprofit management, volunteer coordinator, and community outreach to improve searchability.
• Engage Authentically: Increase your visibility by commenting thoughtfully on posts—don’t just like or share. Aim for comments with at least one sentence to boost engagement.
• Publish LinkedIn Newsletters: Share inspiring stories about your nonprofit’s impact. Include strong calls to action (CTAs) for volunteers and donors in newsletters published from your profile or your nonprofit’s Company Page.

Maximize Your Nonprofit’s LinkedIn Company Page

A polished LinkedIn Company Page can build credibility and attract supporters. Here’s how to make the most of it:

• Design Branded Visuals: Use Canva Pro (free for 501(c)(3) nonprofits) to create eye-catching banners, logos, and visuals for your page.
• Post Impactful Content: Share volunteer testimonials, success stories, and behind-the-scenes glimpses to humanize your organization.
• Boost Post Engagement: Encourage staff and volunteers to share your posts. Use LinkedIn’s “repost” feature or copy the post link via the three little dots at the top right of the post to boost reach.
• Track Analytics: Export your LinkedIn analytics monthly to monitor engagement and determine which content performs best.

Expand Your Reach with Social Media Marketing

Beyond LinkedIn, other social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, BlueSky, Threads, and X can be utilized to reach a broader audience.

• Canva Pro Perks: To streamline your social media posts, create graphics tailored for each platform (e.g., 1080×1350 for Instagram, 1200×630 for LinkedIn/Facebook/X/BlueSky/Threads).
• Use Free and Discounted Tools: Use tools like Linktree Pro, Google for Nonprofits, and discounted software from TechSoup to enhance your nonprofit’s online presence.
• Create Engaging Carousels and Videos: Use Canva to design carousels and short videos with eye-catching thumbnails optimized for LinkedIn and Instagram.

Build Visibility with a Strategic Hashtag Approach

A solid hashtag strategy can increase your nonprofit’s reach and make your content more discoverable.

• Create a Branded Hashtag: Develop a unique hashtag for your nonprofit (e.g., #GreatCareersPHL) and include it in every post.
• Encourage Followers: Ask your audience to follow your branded hashtag. Add a Call to Action (CTA) to your LinkedIn signature, inviting them to stay updated.

Find Volunteers Using Boolean Searches

Instead of waiting for volunteers to find you, actively search for them using LinkedIn’s advanced search features.

• Use Boolean Search Operators: Combine keywords to find potential volunteers who align with your mission.
  Example Search:
  “volunteer” AND “graphic design” AND “Philadelphia“
• Expand Opportunities: Connect with professionals who may volunteer on platforms like Catchafire for skills-based volunteering.

Final Thoughts

With the right LinkedIn strategies and thoughtful use of social media marketing, your nonprofit can attract dedicated volunteers and supporters—even with limited resources. 

There are countless ways to grow your community and attract volunteers and supporters, from optimizing profiles and using branded hashtags to leveraging free tools like Canva Pro.

Start implementing these strategies today and watch your nonprofit’s impact soar!

Check out these nonprofit resources:

• Here is a comprehensive list on the Great Careers Network website.
• Read the interview with a subject matter expert on volunteering.
• You can see volunteer opportunities or seek volunteers for a nonprofit on the LinkedIn Volunteer Marketplace. 
• Apply for a partnership opportunity with LinkedIn.
• Explore LinkedIn’s resources for nonprofits.
• Read LinkedIn’s nonprofit blog.

NEXT STEPS

• Subscribe to my newsletter on LinkedIn™ for bright ideas on how to manage your career.
• If you need a resume or LinkedIn™ profile to get you to your next step, book a call to chat! Can’t beat a free discovery call!
• Join as a member at https://greatcareers.org/membership of the #1 business networking association on the Philadelphia Business Journal’s Book of Lists five years in a row! 
• To support our charity at KeepOnSharing.com and use the referral code Career
• Follow #GreatCareersPHL 

BIO

Lynne M. Williams is the Executive Director of the Great Careers Network, a volunteer-run 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides career development and networking connections for 1) job seekers in career transition, including veterans, and 2) employed and self-employed for career management.

Aside from writing keyword-focused content for ATS resumes and LinkedIn profiles, Lynne is writing her doctoral dissertation on LinkedIn for Job Seekers. She is a contributing author on “Applying to Positions” in  Find Your Fit: A Practical Guide to Landing the Job You Love, along with the late Dick Bolles, the author of What Color is Your Parachute?, and is also a speaker on career topics.