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

Guides

National Standards for Volunteer Involvement

The National Standards for Volunteer Involvement are a best practice framework to guide volunteer involvement in Australia. They are an essential resource for Volunteer Managers.
1 minute read
Volunteering Australia
General
Resources

Engaging Newly Arrived Migrants

This article explains how volunteering helps new migrants in Australia connect, learn & contribute. It includes resources to help recruit and support migrant volunteers.
1 minute read
Canterbury City Community Centre - Skills Training and Resource Service, Special Broadcasting Service (SBS), Volunteering ACT, The Centre for Volunteering, Volunteering Queensland, Volunteering SA&NT, Volunteering Tasmania, Volunteering Victoria, Volunteering WA, The Knowledge Base
Research and Reports

Developing Generation-Based Volunteer Management Practices

This study explores the experiences of volunteers across five generations in Atlanta, aiming to understand their preferences for volunteering.
1 minute read
Tonya Renee' Howard
Youth or Student, Older Volunteers +1 more
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
FreddyMatch
Tech

FreddyMatch

FreddyMatch is a web-based platform that facilitates and optimises the process of volunteering. We help match organisations and volunteers based on their unique interests, skill sets, location and availability using the “FreddyMatch” algorithm.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Volunteer performance/recognition Communication / engagement Task management Compliance Reporting Resource management Social media Event management
SEEK Volunteer
Tech

SEEK Volunteer

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

Volunteer Screening Deconstructed 

This interactive session examines best-practice volunteer screening, providing practical guidance on implementing robust safeguards that protect your organisation while avoiding unnecessary administrative burden.
Volunteering Victoria
Free
scheduled

Defamation and Not-for-profits - Oct 2026

Delivered by MinterEllison and Justice Connect, this practical webinar for not-for-profits covers defamation law, key defences, social media, complaints, media enquiries, and managing communication risks.
Justice Connect's Not-for-profit Law Training
A$49.00
scheduled

Let's Talk Diversity and Inclusion in Volunteering - Launceston

Join A Fairer World and the Hobart Human Library for an interactive workshop on diversity, inclusion and unconscious bias. Hear lived experiences, challenge assumptions and gain practical tools to create more inclusive volunteer programs and workplaces.
Volunteering Tasmania
A$20.00