Volunteer Meraki: Nonprofit Market Research, Cultural Program and Project Launch

This thesis describes various steps in creation of Volunteer Meraki, an international volunteer organization. Continuing from the past findings from Nicholas Pfeiffer and Hunter Workman (Pfeiffer and Workman, 2016), a new study was held to examine the interest of students of Arizona State University in volunteering internationally and becoming involved with Volunteer Meraki as well as to investigate perceived successes and weaknesses of other nonprofit organizations focused on international volunteering. These findings of this studiesy guided guides the creation of the organization, the marketing plan, and the program design of Volunteer Meraki. The market research component of this program serves to help us decide the desirability of creating an ASU club, as well as helps us shape our organization to accommodate volunteers. Students were asked for their experience and interest in volunteering and clubs. The results of this study supported suggest the benefits of an ASU club, and inform on the major concerns volunteers have with volunteer projects and organizations. These results are addressed in Volunteer Meraki's marketing plan, internal functions plan and international volunteer program design. With findings on interests and barriers that students had in relation to international volunteering, Volunteer Meraki has been structured to address the concerns with organization administration, culturally competent programs, and contextually relevant impact on community development. With the guiding principles of mindfulness, sustainability, and integrity, Volunteer Meraki serves as an organization dedicated to building sustainable and successful partnerships that address the needs of marginalized and impoverished communities through mindful and culturally sensitive volunteer engagement.