Creating a Need

A need is a specific request for help posted by a case worker on behalf of someone your organization serves. When you create a need, NeedBridge notifies volunteers in the matching service area by email. This guide walks through every field in the need creation form and explains how to write needs that get claimed quickly.

Accessing the Create Form

There are two ways to start creating a need:

  • Click the Create Need button on your dashboard.
  • Click Needs in the left navigation, then click the Create Need button at the top of the needs list.

Both take you to the same form.

Filling In the Details

Title

The title is the first thing a volunteer sees in their email notification. A good title is specific, includes quantities or sizes when relevant, and gives the volunteer enough information to decide if they can help.

  • Good: "Family of 4 needs winter coats (sizes 4T, 6, M, and L)"
  • Good: "Single mom needs a ride to medical appointment Thursday at 2pm"
  • Weak: "Coats needed"
  • Weak: "Help requested"

Keep titles under one sentence. Be specific about what is needed and for whom (without identifying the person by name).

Description

The description provides additional context. Include details that help a volunteer understand the need and prepare to fulfill it:

  • Quantities, sizes, brands, or preferences
  • Timing or deadlines
  • Any special instructions

Privacy guidelines: Never include the client's full name, home address, phone number, or other identifying information in the description. You will share logistics directly with the volunteer after they claim the need.

Area and Category

  • Area -- Select the service area where this need should be fulfilled. This determines which volunteers receive the notification. If your organization has multiple areas, choose the one closest to where the need will be fulfilled.
  • Category -- Choose the type of need (for example, Groceries, Transportation, Clothing). Categories are defined by your organization in Settings.

Need Type

Select the type of need:

  • Physical Item -- A tangible item like groceries, clothing, furniture, or supplies.
  • Financial Assistance -- Monetary help such as gift cards, bill payments, or financial contributions.
  • People Needed -- A request for volunteers to show up and help with an activity, such as moving, yard work, or event setup.

Urgency

Set the urgency level so volunteers understand the timeline:

  • Critical -- Must be fulfilled immediately. Volunteers receive a notification right away regardless of their subscription frequency.
  • High -- Needed within a few days. Volunteers receive a notification right away.
  • Medium -- Standard timeline. Included in the next scheduled notification email.
  • Low -- No rush. Included in the next scheduled notification email.

Choose urgency carefully. Marking everything as critical reduces its meaning and may cause volunteers to tune out urgent notifications.

Images

You can upload images to help volunteers understand the need. For example, a photo of the item needed, a size label, or a reference image. Images are optional but can make a need more compelling and reduce back-and-forth questions.

Helpful Links

Add links to relevant resources, such as a product page for a specific item, a wishlist, or a map. Links are optional.

Due Date

If the need has a deadline, set a due date. The due date appears in the volunteer notification and on the need detail page. Needs that pass their due date without being fulfilled may be flagged as expired.

Target Quantities

For needs that require multiple items or multiple volunteers, set a target quantity. For example, if a family needs five bags of groceries, set the target to five. Volunteers can then see how many are still needed.

Drop-off Location or Shipping Address

If the need requires delivery, provide a drop-off location or shipping address. This information is visible to volunteers who claim the need.

Review and Publish

Before publishing, review all fields. Once you click Publish, the need becomes visible to volunteers and notifications are sent based on the urgency level and the volunteers' subscription settings.

If your organization has enabled need approval, the need will go into a pending approval state instead of being published immediately. A coordinator or admin will need to approve it before volunteers are notified.

What Happens After Publishing

Once a need is published:

  1. Volunteers are notified. Volunteers subscribed to the matching area receive an email notification. The timing depends on the urgency level -- critical and high-urgency needs trigger immediate emails, while medium and low-urgency needs are included in the next scheduled digest.
  2. The need appears on your dashboard under active needs.
  3. Volunteers can claim the need by clicking "I can help" in the email or on the web.
  4. You will be notified when a volunteer claims the need, so you can start coordinating.

Tips

  • Write titles like email subject lines. Volunteers scan their inbox quickly. A clear, specific title is the difference between a claimed need and an ignored one.
  • Update needs if details change. If the family no longer needs the item or the deadline shifts, edit the need rather than leaving outdated information.
  • Use urgency levels honestly. Reserve Critical for true emergencies. If every need is marked Critical, volunteers will stop treating any of them as urgent.