Volunteer from Home

Would you like to be involved in our Friends of Nachusa Grasslands organization by helping with indoor tasks?
 
We have a role for you!
 
To express your interest, please submit the form below. A coordinator will respond to you as soon as possible.

Serving on the Social Media Team (Website, Facebook, X, Instagram, or Blog)

The Friends of Nachusa Grasslands Social Media Team helps Friends of Nachusa Grasslands encourage volunteer stewardship, financial support, scientific research, land protection, and visitorship for Nachusa Grasslands. We usually meet once a quarter in person or online and also communicate frequently by email. (Meetings last about 2 hours; time expended on other responsibilities varies by your choice.)

Writing thank you notes

Using Friends of Nachusa Grasslands note cards and postage, express appreciation for monetary donations to our organization. Enter the date of mailing in our donor management database and also maintain personal records. Mentoring, examples, and notification of letter writing assignments will be provided. The job can be shared with other volunteers. (Variable hours of your choice; total for all volunteers 30 hours per month, depending on the season)

Learning how new donors became connected to Friends/Nachusa Grasslands

Friends strives to get know our new supporters by sending emails or snail mail letters inquiring about their interests and motivations related to Nachusa. Record date of contact and details regarding responses in our donor management system. Mentoring, samples, and notification of assignments will be provided. Each year, about 30 new donors would be contacted. (Variable hours of your choice; 1 to 3 hours per month)

Updating charity databases

Maintain Friends profiles on charity databases for Donor Advised Fund and other potential donor searches. The most important platforms are Charity Navigator and Candid (GuideStar), where we already have profiles. The volunteer will log onto web pages and revise or add data. Log ins, passwords, and guidance will be provided. Requirements include web expertise, as well as knowledge of Friends mission, finances, and activities. See https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/263303031 and https://www.guidestar.org/profile/shared/6263065e-20b4-40ae-848b-59c8f337988c. (3 initial hours followed by updates as needed)

Writing the Friends page for TNC/Nachusa Grasslands Prairie Smoke annual reports

Friends provides an article for the TNC /Nachusa Grasslands annual stewardship report published each spring, highlighting our mission and accomplishments through text and photographs. Commitment to gathering information about the Friends organization and clear, concise writing ability are essential. See https://www.nachusagrasslands.org/prairie-smoke-annual-reports.html for examples. (6 to 8 hours per year)

Coordinating writers, design, and assembly of the Friends Annual Report

Friends publishes an annual report every fall. Help solicit articles related to the chosen theme and transmit them to our professional designer; distribute preliminary materials to proofreaders; track progress; and follow up as needed. Organize mailing and request volunteers to help with assembly. (25 to 35 hours per year)

 Joining the Friends of Nachusa Grasslands Science Grant Committee

To encourage scientific research at Nachusa, Friends of Nachusa Grasslands awards monetary grants to qualified academic scholars, graduate students, and independent researchers who are interested in studying topics relevant to the preserve. The Science Grant Committee meets in person or online in the late fall or early winter to review applications and determine project awards. Members also communicate by email throughout the year to discuss and resolve any issues that arise regarding the grant process. (6 to 8 hours per year; mainly in the late fall or early winter)

Helping with mailings and additional administrative tasks

Friends of Nachusa Grasslands sends periodic mailings that require assembly, including the quarterly A Prairie Calling newsletters and the yearly Annual Report. Volunteers can get together at the Headquarters Barn or pick up materials to work at home. Various other tasks may also arise throughout the year. Guidance will be provided. (8 to 10 hours per year)

Writing Grants

In cooperation with a Board Member or Officer, collect data, strategize the grant message, make the application, and respond to grantor questions. (Variable hours of your choice – about 12 hours per grant application)

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