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

Checklists

Is your organisation accessible?

Checklist to help organisations assess and improve accessibility for volunteers living with disability.
1 minute read
Volunteering Victoria
Disability
Research and Reports

Volunteering & gender key statistics

Factsheet providing key statistics on volunteering in Australia by gender.
1 minute read
Volunteering Australia
General
Better Impact
Tech

Better Impact

Better Impact offers a comprehensive software solution for volunteer program management, to simplify administrative tasks and enhance volunteer engagement across every stage of the volunteer lifecycle.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Volunteer performance/recognition Communication / engagement Compliance Reporting Social media Donations
INVOLVE
Tech

INVOLVE

Volunteer management a headache? INVOLVE simplifies everything! Automate tasks, gain instant insights, schedule visually, track hours effortlessly, and collaborate seamlessly. Built in Australia, your data's safe. Focus on your purpose, not admin.
Volunteer database Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Volunteer performance/recognition Communication / engagement Task management Compliance Reporting Event management
Volaby
Tech

Volaby

Volaby is an end-to-end volunteer and people management platform, enabling organisations to do more with less! Built from the collective voice of our volunteer managers using the platform, Volaby helps you automate and simplify the volunteer and manager experience to save time and scale impact.
Volunteer database Recruitment Rostering / scheduling Onboarding / training Volunteer performance/recognition Communication / engagement Task management Compliance Reporting Resource management Event management
scheduled

Starting a Not-for-profit Organisation - July 2026

This webinar introduces the legal basics of starting a not‑for‑profit organisation. Learn about legal structures, incorporation, registration, charity status and key steps to establish and operate a compliant organisation.
Justice Connect's Not-for-profit Law Training
Free
scheduled

Becoming an Inclusive Volunteer Involving Organisation

This free inclusion workshop explores how to build inclusive volunteering opportunities for people of all abilities and backgrounds. Learn to identify and reduce barriers, support young people, and create inclusive teams and workplaces.
The Centre for Volunteering
Free
scheduled

Focus Group: Volunteering Local Health Districts Community of Practice

This focus group invites participants to share insights on volunteering within Local Health Districts and a Community of Practice model. Feedback will inform future collaboration, support and best practice to strengthen volunteer involvement.
The Centre for Volunteering
Free