Managing volunteers can be a daunting task, especially for organizations that rely heavily on volunteers to carry out their missions. Volunteer management involves recruiting, training, scheduling, and retaining volunteers to ensure that they are equipped to carry out their roles effectively.
In this blog post, we’ll take a look at volunteer management statistics that shed light on the challenges and opportunities in volunteer management.
Key Volunteer Management Statistics 2023 – MY Choice
- According to a study by the Corporation for National and Community Service, about 62.8 million adults volunteered in the United States in 2017, contributing an estimated 8 billion hours of service.
- The Independent Sector reports that the value of a volunteer hour in the United States is $25.43 as of 2020.
- A survey by Nonprofit HR found that the average retention rate for volunteers in the nonprofit sector is 46%, while the average turnover rate is 54%.
- The National Council of Nonprofits reports that 80% of nonprofit organizations rely on volunteers to carry out their mission, while only 15% have a paid staff of more than 50.
- The same study found that 77% of nonprofit organizations use social media to recruit and engage volunteers, while only 15% use a dedicated volunteer management software.
- The Corporation for National and Community Service reports that volunteering is positively correlated with higher levels of happiness, life satisfaction, and self-esteem.
- A study by VolunteerMatch found that 90% of volunteers who had a positive experience with a nonprofit organization were likely to recommend it to others, while 84% were likely to volunteer again.
- The same study found that volunteer referrals are one of the most effective ways to recruit new volunteers, with 51% of volunteers saying they were influenced by a friend or family member to volunteer.
- A survey by LinkedIn found that 89% of professionals believe that volunteering can improve their job skills, and 73% of employers are more likely to hire a candidate with volunteer experience on their resume.
- According to a report by the Johns Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies, volunteers in the United States contributed an estimated $193 billion in economic value to the nonprofit sector in 2017.
Volunteer Management Stats
Table 1: Volunteer Management Market Statistics
| Statistic | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Nonprofits that consider email and marketing site as most important communication tools | 88% |
| Nonprofits that do not measure volunteer impact | 45% |
| Nonprofits that do not measure volunteer impact due to lack of resources and tools | 34% |
| Estimated value of each volunteer hour conducted in the United States | $28.54 |
| Estimated number of US adult volunteers in 2017 | 25.1% |
| Total hours contributed by US adult volunteers in 2017 | 8.8 billion |
| Average number of hours contributed per volunteer in 2017 | 137 |
| Nonprofits that report increased desire from constituents to participate | 74% |
| Percentage of corporate volunteers with boosted morale from volunteerism | 70% |
Now, let’s dive into some statistics related to volunteer management:
- According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, over 77 million adults in the United States volunteered a total of 6.9 billion hours in 2018.
- The average value of a volunteer hour in the United States was $27.20 in 2020, according to Independent Sector.
- Nonprofits that effectively engage volunteers are 5 times more likely to achieve their goals than those that do not, according to a study by Salesforce.
- In a survey of over 4,000 volunteers, 94% said they would recommend volunteering to others.
- 41% of people who volunteer say they do so because they want to make a difference in their community, according to the Corporation for National and Community Service.
- 64% of volunteers say they are more likely to donate to an organization they have volunteered with, according to a study by Fidelity Charitable.
- According to a study by Verified Volunteers, 83% of nonprofits report that volunteers are becoming harder to recruit and retain.
- In a survey of over 400 nonprofits, 91% said they believe volunteer management technology would be beneficial for their organization.
- According to a study by VolunteerMatch, 87% of volunteers say they feel more connected to their community as a result of volunteering.
- In a survey of over 500 volunteers, 72% said they would volunteer more frequently if the opportunities were better suited to their skills and interests.
Table 2: Volunteer Recruitment and Retention Statistics
| Statistic | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Nonprofits that use social media for volunteer recruitment | 92% |
| Nonprofits that use word-of-mouth for volunteer recruitment | 85% |
| Nonprofits that use their website for volunteer recruitment | 78% |
| Nonprofits that use email for volunteer recruitment | 76% |
| Nonprofits that experience difficulty finding skilled volunteers | 56% |
| Nonprofits that experience difficulty retaining volunteers | 53% |
| Volunteers who would like more communication and feedback from nonprofits | 80% |
| Volunteers who would like to participate in more skill-based volunteering | 60% |
| Volunteers who would like to participate in more flexible volunteering | 57% |
| Volunteers who are more likely to continue volunteering if they feel connected to the mission of the nonprofit | 94% |
Table 3: Volunteer Impact and Benefits Statistics
| Statistic | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Nonprofits that believe volunteers help achieve their mission more effectively | 97% |
| Nonprofits that believe volunteers help increase community awareness of their organization | 94% |
| Volunteers who report feeling a sense of accomplishment from volunteering | 84% |
| Volunteers who report feeling more connected to their community from volunteering | 78% |
| Volunteers who report experiencing less stress from volunteering | 76% |
| Volunteers who report gaining new skills from volunteering | 73% |
| Volunteers who report feeling happier from volunteering | 72% |
| Volunteers who report feeling more confident from volunteering | 69% |
| Volunteers who report feeling physically healthier from volunteering | 77% |
Recruitment and Retention Statistics
- 61% of nonprofit organizations struggle with volunteer recruitment. (Nonprofit HR)
- 72% of nonprofit organizations believe that retaining volunteers is harder than recruiting new ones. (Nonprofit HR)
- 82% of volunteers are more likely to volunteer again if they had a positive experience with the organization. (Nonprofit Source)
- 53% of volunteers say that they would increase their volunteering if they were recognized for their efforts. (Nonprofit Source)
- The most common way volunteers find out about opportunities is through word of mouth, with 72% of volunteers citing this as their primary source of information. (VolunteerMatch)
- 50% of volunteers would like to receive regular feedback on their performance. (Nonprofit Source)
- Volunteers who feel connected to the organization’s mission and goals are more likely to continue volunteering. (VolunteerPro)
Impact of COVID-19 on Volunteer Management
- 77% of nonprofits experienced a disruption in their volunteer programs due to COVID-19. (Nonprofit HR)
- In response to the pandemic, 54% of nonprofits transitioned to virtual volunteer opportunities. (Nonprofit HR)
- 44% of volunteers reduced their volunteer hours due to the pandemic. (Nonprofit HR)
- The pandemic has increased interest in virtual volunteering, with 51% of volunteers expressing interest in virtual opportunities. (VolunteerMatch)
- Nonprofits are using social media (67%), email (63%), and their websites (55%) to communicate with volunteers during the pandemic. (Nonprofit Source)
Trends in Volunteer Management
- The number of Americans who volunteer has been declining since 2005. (VolunteerMatch)
- Millennials are more likely to volunteer than any other generation. (Nonprofit Source)
- Corporate social responsibility programs are becoming more popular, with 54% of companies offering paid time off for volunteering. (Nonprofit Source)
- Virtual volunteering is on the rise, with 81% of nonprofits offering virtual volunteer opportunities. (Nonprofit HR)
- Skills-based volunteering is becoming more popular, with 91% of nonprofits saying that they would like to engage volunteers with specific skills. (Nonprofit HR)
Volunteer Management Challenges
- The top challenge in volunteer management is finding and recruiting the right volunteers. (VolunteerMatch)
- 49% of nonprofit organizations struggle with volunteer retention. (Nonprofit HR)
- 55% of nonprofit organizations report that their volunteers do not have the necessary skills to perform their roles effectively. (Nonprofit HR)
- 67% of nonprofit organizations report that their volunteers do not have enough time to commit to their roles. (Nonprofit HR)
- 42% of volunteers say that they would like to volunteer more but cannot due to their work schedule. (Nonprofit Source)
The Benefits of Volunteer Management
Having a comprehensive volunteer management system in place can provide a wide range of benefits for organizations, including:
Increased Productivity and Efficiency
- Organizations that effectively manage volunteers can more easily streamline their operations and improve overall productivity.
- By creating volunteer schedules, assigning tasks, and tracking progress, organizations can ensure that they are making the most of their volunteer resources.
Enhanced Volunteer Experience
- A well-managed volunteer program can help create a positive experience for volunteers, leading to higher satisfaction and retention rates.
- By providing clear communication, training, and support, organizations can ensure that their volunteers feel valued and engaged.
Improved Community Engagement
- Volunteer programs can serve as a powerful tool for engaging with the local community and building relationships with stakeholders.
- By involving volunteers in events, outreach efforts, and other activities, organizations can increase their visibility and establish themselves as community leaders.
Best Practices for Volunteer Management
To effectively manage volunteers, organizations should consider implementing the following best practices:
Develop a Clear Volunteer Program Strategy
- Define the purpose and goals of the volunteer program, and identify the roles and responsibilities of volunteers and staff.
- Determine how volunteers will be recruited, trained, and recognized, and establish clear guidelines for behavior and performance.
Provide Clear Communication and Support
- Ensure that volunteers receive clear and consistent communication about expectations, tasks, and feedback.
- Provide ongoing support and training to help volunteers succeed in their roles.
Use Volunteer Management Software
- Volunteer management software can help streamline the process of recruiting, scheduling, and tracking volunteers.
- Look for software that includes features such as volunteer registration, shift scheduling, and reporting.
Recognize and Reward Volunteers
- Recognize volunteers for their contributions and show appreciation for their efforts.
- Offer incentives such as certificates, awards, or public recognition to motivate and retain volunteers.
Conclusion
Effective volunteer management is essential for organizations looking to maximize the impact of their volunteer resources. By implementing best practices and utilizing technology, organizations can create a positive experience for volunteers while achieving their goals and building stronger relationships.
