Disclosed is a method of making reduced VOC polymers and coating compositions containing such polymers. Provided is a mixture (I) comprising a reactant mixture (a) of polymerizable components and a nonvolatile solvent (b.sub.nv) that (i) is not a crystalline solid at 25.degree. C., (ii) is nonvolatile, (iii) comprises at least one functional group (F.sub.1) and (iv) is a fluid solid. Reactant mixture (a) is polymerized to provide a polymer (a'). The at least one functional group (F.sub.1) of nonvolatile solvent (b.sub.nv) is reacted with one or more reactants (e) to obtain a nonvolatile solvent (b'.sub.nv) comprising at least two functional groups (F.sub.2). Obtained is a mixture (II) comprising polymer (a') in nonvolatile solvent (b'.sub.nv) comprising at least two functional groups (F.sub.2). The at least one functional group (F.sub.1) is substantially nonreactive: (1) with the components of reactive mixture (a), (2) under the polymerization conditions which polymerize reactant mixture (a), and (3) with polymer (a').