In volunteering, we always start with emotion: the desire to help, to change a situation, to support. But for an initiative to work long-term and effectively, it’s important to have not only motivation but also clear goals, systematics, and an understanding of how to measure results.
In the new article of the “Volunteer Code” series, we gathered relevant advice from Polina Aldoshina, Head of the BGV Charity Fund — about how to set goals for a volunteer or charitable project, evaluate its effectiveness, and improve the initiative over time.
In volunteering, we always start with emotion: the desire to help, to change a situation, to support. But for an initiative to work long-term and effectively, it’s important to have not only motivation but also clear goals, systematics, and an understanding of how to measure results.
In the new article of the “Volunteer Code” series, we gathered relevant advice from Polina Aldoshina, Head of the BGV Charity Fund — about how to set goals for a volunteer or charitable project, evaluate its effectiveness, and improve the initiative over time.
SMART is an acronym that helps formulate achievable and measurable goals:
improve living conditions in 2 shelters
provide 1,000 people with food packages
aligns with your resources and capabilities
meets the needs of the beneficiaries
to be implemented within 3 months
Such goals help avoid vague formulations and enable work with a clear point of focus.
Ask yourself the following questions:
How many people/animals received assistance, how many kits were distributed, how many events were held.
Feedback, beneficiaries’ stories, improvements in well-being.
Volunteer engagement level, repeat participation, and partner support.
Funds raised and how they were spent.
Collecting results is not just about reporting.
It also involves:
Don’t be afraid to revisit your approaches. Project resilience means the ability to adapt to new challenges.
“The goal in a project is not just a number in a plan. It is the face of a specific person you want to help. This is how we work at the fund — from the heart, but with a clear focus on the result”.
“The Volunteer Code” is a space for honest conversations about challenges and solutions in volunteering. We gather useful tips that can support those who help others. Here you’ll find experience, mistakes, and insights gained through practice.
“The goal in a project is not just a number in a plan. It is the face of a specific person you want to help. This is how we work at the fund — from the heart, but with a clear focus on the result”.
“The Volunteer Code” is a space for honest conversations about challenges and solutions in volunteering. We gather useful tips that can support those who help others. Here you’ll find experience, mistakes, and insights gained through practice.
