Anyone who’s managed a nonprofit knows this truth: recruiting volunteers can demand as much time and focus as delivering the programs themselves. The challenge isn’t willingness — it’s reach. Finding the right people with the right skills takes resources most nonprofits don’t have. LinkedIn Grants are helping close that gap.
Through the LinkedIn for Nonprofits program, organizations can access free ad credits and digital tools that make it easier to connect with professionals who want to lend their expertise. These grants help nonprofits post opportunities, promote them strategically, and reach potential volunteers who might never have found them otherwise.
LinkedIn brings structure and strategy to volunteer recruitment, allowing organizations to focus on what matters most — advancing their mission.
What Are LinkedIn Grants and Why Do Nonprofits Need Them?
LinkedIn Grants are part of the LinkedIn for Nonprofits setup, which includes free ad credits, better search options, and the Volunteer Marketplace. The idea is to link nonprofits with folks who have professional skills and a bit of time to share. You can list roles, search for matches, or even advertise to specific groups without paying a cent.
By 2026, nonprofits will need this kind of help even more. Schedules are busier, and people want volunteer work that lines up with their jobs or interests. Old-school methods like emails or local postings don’t cut it anymore, they don’t reach far enough. Grants change that by letting you find someone with marketing experience for your awareness drive or a lawyer for contract reviews. A group I talked to recently said, “We were limited to folks we knew locally, but LinkedIn brought in a project manager from halfway across the country.” With online platforms handling a big chunk of volunteer sign-ups, these grants keep you in the game, helping build a team that sticks around and pushes your goals forward.
Also read: https://www.brandemix.com/employer-branding-for-nonprofits/
How Do Nonprofits Qualify and Apply for LinkedIn Grants?
To get LinkedIn Grants, your nonprofit has to meet a few requirements, but nothing too tricky if you take it step by step. You need to be a registered charity, have a company page on LinkedIn, and show how your work fits with areas like community support or equality. It’s open to groups worldwide that align with those themes.
The application breaks down like this:
- Get your LinkedIn company page ready, add your mission, past projects, and what volunteers do.
- Sign up for LinkedIn for Nonprofits and send in your charity proof.
- Fill out the form with your recruitment plans, like skills you’re after.
- Sit tight for the review, which usually takes a couple of weeks, and then dive in.
I’ve seen nonprofits get hung up on basic page setups or vague goals. One organization added a few lines about their volunteer stories, and it made all the difference in approval. It’s really about letting LinkedIn see you’re set to use the tools well.
How can Nonprofits Maximize LinkedIn Grants for Volunteer Recruitment in 2026?
Having the grants is great, but the real value comes from using them right. Start with the Volunteer Marketplace, put up postings that spell out what you need, like “Looking for a writer to help with newsletter updates.” Then, use ad credits to highlight those roles with phrases like “give back as a volunteer consultant.”
From what I’ve noticed, it helps to keep things practical:
- Fix Up Your Page: Throw in updates about your day-to-day work and what volunteers have done before. It gives people a sense of what they’re stepping into.
- Aim for the Right Folks: Narrow ads to job types or places, say “event coordinator volunteer in Seattle.” That way, you get responses from people who fit.
- Send a Quick Note: When someone looks promising, drop a message that ties their background to your need, something like “Your experience in events could really help our next fundraiser.”
- Stay in Touch: After they help, send a note saying thanks and share how it made a difference. It often leads to more time from them down the line.
As online tools get smarter, LinkedIn’s built-in tracking lets you see what draws people in and what doesn’t. I recall a nonprofit that tried a few different ad words and ended up with a handful of solid volunteers, all because they paid attention to the feedback. It’s less about big plans and more about steady, honest outreach that builds trust.
How Brandemix Can Help
Brandemix specializes in helping nonprofits enhance their digital presence and leverage available grants. Here’s how we can assist:
Application Assistance
- Eligibility Check: Ensure your nonprofit meets the criteria for grants on Google, LinkedIn, and Meta through partners like Powered by Percent.
- Documentation: Help with detailing of the required documents and easing out the process.
- Submission: Guide you through the submission process to avoid common pitfalls.
Campaign Management
- Strategy Development: Develop effective strategies for using Google, LinkedIn, and Meta grants.
- Ad Creation: Create compelling ads tailored to each platform.
- Performance Monitoring: Regularly monitor and optimize campaigns for better results.
Comprehensive Support
- Training: Provide training for your team on best practices for each platform.
- Consultation: Offer ongoing consultation to address any challenges and improve strategies.
Contact Brandemix for a consultation and start maximizing your nonprofit’s digital potential today.
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Learn how to use free digital advertising credits to amplify your mission
FAQs
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How can LinkedIn Grants help my nonprofit find skilled volunteers in 2026?
They connect you with pros searching for ways to help, like “volunteer data analyst for charity.” Groups have landed experts this way without spending.
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What if my nonprofit's LinkedIn page isn't drawing interest?
Add a few stories about your work and volunteer wins. It’s helped others get more looks and messages.
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How do I target the best volunteers with LinkedIn ads?
Filter for roles or areas, like “fundraising volunteer in Boston.” That brings in people who match your needs.
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Can LinkedIn Grants work for long-term volunteer roles?
Sure, they help build relationships that turn into ongoing support. One group kept a communications person for over a year.
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What common problems do nonprofits face with grant applications?
Outdated pages or unclear plans slow things down. Preparing with specific goals gets you approved faster.
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How does digital transformation improve volunteer recruitment?
It makes matching skills to needs easier, especially in 2026 when remote help is common and platforms like LinkedIn do the heavy lifting.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jody Ordioni is the author of “The Talent Brand.” In her role as Founder and Chief Brand Officer of Brandemix, she leads the firm in creating brand-aligned talent communications that connect employees to cultures, companies, and business goals. She engages with HR professionals and corporate teams on how to build and promote talent brands, and implement best-practice talent acquisition and engagement strategies across all media and platforms. She has been named a "recruitment thought leader to follow" and her mission is to integrate marketing, human resources, internal communications, and social media to foster a seamless brand experience through the employee lifecycle.
