Robert here from VolunteerMatch. We call this the “reverse match” concept, and it’s on the drawing board at VolunteerMatch.

In the reverse match idea, volunteers/activists create profiles for themselves and we build a Web app to display those in a safe and convenient place where nonprofits can review them and initiate recruitment.

One problem: Reverse match could be a great tool for nonprofits that know their needs. but such a feature would likely to be abused by more than a few overweening, desperate organizations.

The challenge then would be to develop a platform that can help nonprofits identify their needs before they begin their reserve match process; such a service could lower the risk of nonprofits spamming individuals by forcing them to clarify specific needs before they reach out.

But how to clarify? I was drawn to this bit in your post: “For this to work more effectively, organizations will need to create a comprehensive inventory of skills that they need to utilize so that they can ask for them.”

I’m actually watching for ideas from another NetSquared mash up, Assetmap.org, which is developing a model for how this “inventory” process could work. Imagine a nonprofit organization as a microcosm of a community. Both have individuals, resources, and small groups that are “assets”… and both have holes that only become truly apparently when a thorough inventory with visualization assistance is done.

I’m staying tuned.

Thanks for a great dialogue,

Robert Rosenthal VolunteerMatch Team