Volunteer Management
Volunteer management is the process of recruiting, training, coordinating, and retaining volunteers who contribute their time and skills to a nonprofit's mission.
Volunteer management encompasses all the activities involved in recruiting, screening, training, coordinating, recognizing, and retaining volunteers who donate their time and skills to support a nonprofit's mission.
Why It Matters for Fundraising
Volunteers and donors are deeply connected. Research shows that volunteers are 10 times more likely to donate than non-volunteers, and their donations are typically larger. Volunteers who feel valued and see the impact of their work often become advocates and fundraisers for the organization. A strong volunteer program is also a powerful donor pipeline — many major donors begin as volunteers.
Key Practices
Effective volunteer management includes clear role descriptions, thorough orientation and training, regular communication, meaningful recognition, and feedback loops. The best programs treat volunteers as partners, not free labor — matching their skills and interests with organizational needs. Tracking volunteer hours and contributions also demonstrates community support to grantmakers.