Software Advice and VolunteerMatch partnered to find out how nonprofits measure how volunteer activities impact program outcomes, retention and fundraising. This presentation outlines several key findings.

1. Software Advice IndustryView:
Volunteer Impact Report
Trends and best practices from the industry

2. To find out what metrics, indicators and data collection methods nonprofits use to
assess how volunteer activities impact program outcomes, we partnered with
VolunteerMatch to survey 2,735 nonprofit professionals in the U.S. and abroad.
Some key findings include:
• A slight majority of respondents—55 percent—said their organizations assessed
volunteer impact in some way.
• Of nonprofits that don’t measure impact, the main reasons were a lack of
resources (34 percent) or knowledge (29 percent).
• Most agree that volunteer impact data is “very useful” (34 percent) or
“somewhat useful” (43 percent).
• Top benefits of measuring impact included higher recruitment and retention
rates, better outcomes and increased funding.
• The most common ways to collect data is through direct observation and by
surveying volunteers themselves.
Abstract

3. Fifty-five percent of respondents said their nonprofits collect quantitative,
qualitative or financial data to measure how volunteer activities effect outcomes.
Measures55%
Doesn’t measure45%
Slight Majority of Nonprofits Measure Volunteer Impact

4. Of the 45 percent of nonprofits that don’t assess volunteer impact, the top
barriers include a lack of resources, tools or knowledge on how to do so.
Lack of resources/tools34%
Lack of knowledge/skills29%
Lack of time25%
Not important6%
Other reasons7%
Limited Resources Deter Many from Measuring Impact

5. A combined 77 percent of respondents agree that volunteer impact data is either
“very useful” or “somewhat useful” for improving program outcomes and funding.
Very useful34%
Somewhat useful43%
Neither useful nor unuseful10%
Not useful at all2%
Not useful11%
Overall, Volunteer Impact Data Is Useful

6. Increased recruitment/retention
Improved outcomes
More funding
Accurate reporting
Higher volunteer/staff morale
Creation of new volunteer positions
Launched/expanded programs
Creation of paid positions
0% 5% 10% 15% 20%
6%
7%
8%
9%
11%
17%
18%
19%
Percent of sample
Most who measure impact report at least one benefit; often, the data is used to
improve the program itself, resulting in higher recruitment and retention rates.
Knowing Impact Leads to Increased Volunteer Retention

7. Direct observation
Volunteer surveys
Beneficiary surveys
Software/automated system
Constituent interviews
Third-party consultant
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
32%
52%
67%
70%
83%
84%
Percent of sample
The most common ways to collect impact data are also the easiest to implement—
directly observing volunteers and asking them for feedback through surveys.
Observation, Surveys Top Data Collection Methods

8. Software Advice™ is a trusted resource for software buyers. The company's
website, www.softwareadvice.com, provides detailed reviews, comparisons and
research to help organizations choose the right software. Meanwhile, the company’s
team of software analysts provide free telephone consultations to help each
software buyer identify systems that best fit their needs. In the process, Software
Advice connects software buyers and sellers, generating high-quality opportunities
for software vendors.
@SoftwareAdvice /company/software-advice
@SoftwareAdvice/SoftwareAdvice
Read about our findings in more detail.Read Report