Skip to main content
Create an account for suggestions personalised to you and your organisation
Research and Reports
1 minute read

Measurement & Impact: Providing the Evidence that Volunteering is Good for Society and Good for You

Meeting National Standards and Strategy Seal Meeting National Standards and Strategy What's this?

Introduction

Often the focus is on providing the evidence to record, measure and showcase the impact of volunteering. While it has always been important for volunteers to know that their involvement has made a difference, volunteering can also be of great benefit to the individual volunteer.

Summary

This paper explores how we can measure impact through volunteer experience and how these experiences influence volunteers’ future opportunities and behaviors. It also discusses methods of tracking the aspirations and needs of the communities where they volunteer. 2020. It is free to download but asks for name, organisation and email. Available in English.

Benefits for Volunteer Organisations

Volunteer organisations can benefit from this document by understanding the importance of measuring the impact of their activities. It provides insights into different approaches and methods for data collection, helping organisations to validate their contributions towards societal goals.

Application for Volunteer Management Practitioners

Volunteer management practitioners can use this resource to develop better strategies for monitoring and evaluating volunteer activities. By aligning volunteer efforts with high-level objectives like the Sustainable Development Goals, practitioners can demonstrate the tangible benefits of volunteering, thereby attracting more support and resources.

Downloads and sources

More about the author

International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE) creates a more just and sustainable world by enabling the leaders, organizations, and environments that empower volunteers.

Contribute to the Gateway

Leave feedback

Was this resource useful?

Make a Suggestion

If you find a great resource that isn't in the directory or want to provide feedback on the Volunteering Gateway, drop us a line!

More like this

Tools or Toolkits

Governance Toolkit

The Australian Charities and Not for Profits Commission (ACNC) Governance Toolkit is a collection of resources that will help charities manage four important risk areas: financial abuse; cyber security; working with partners; safeguarding vulnerable people.
1 minute read
Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission
General
Resources

Types of Volunteering

This information explores various volunteering options including formal, social action, project-based and more to help you find the right fit.
1 minute read
The Centre for Volunteering, The Knowledge Base
Information

Language Guides

This information, guides and videos provide resources for appropriate language to use when talking about sensitive topics like trauma, drugs/alcohol, emapthy and de-escalation.
1 minute read
The Centre for Volunteering, The Knowledge Base
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Be Collective
Tech

Be Collective

A volunteer management & community engagement platform. Be Collective is all about empowering volunteering and the organisations supporting volunteering to build stronger, more sustainable networks for doing good.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Volunteer performance/recognition Communication / engagement Task management Compliance Reporting Resource management Social media Event management Donations
MyPass
Tech

MyPass

MyPass is volunteer onboarding and compliance management software centred around a digital Skills Passport, designed to help volunteer involving organisations (VIOs) reduce their risk and cost of operations.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Communication / engagement Compliance Reporting Resource management Event management
SEEK Volunteer
Tech

SEEK Volunteer

SEEK Volunteer helps connect people to volunteering opportunities that enrich their communities, lives and careers.
Recruitment
scheduled

Panel Discussion: Measuring the True Value of Volunteers

This panel discussion explores how organisations can better measure the true value of volunteers. Learn how to combine data and storytelling to demonstrate impact, improve decision‑making and strengthen support for volunteering programs.
The Centre for Volunteering
Free
scheduled

Future-Ready Volunteering Workshop Beveridge

These workshops create space for local conversation, shared learning & connection that online sessions can’t match. You’ll unpack what the findings mean for your organisation, test ideas with peers, and leave with practical approaches to use straight away
Volunteering Victoria
FREE
scheduled

Bridge to Volunteering - An introduction to volunteering

This introductory workshop explores what volunteering is, its benefits, and the rights and responsibilities of volunteers. Learn how to find a suitable volunteer role and how to get involved in your community with confidence.
The Centre for Volunteering
Free