The True Value of Volunteers: The Most Underrated Asset in Your Nonprofit
- Jul 15, 2015
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 13, 2025
Volunteers provide much more than time . . . learn the true value of volunteers and why it's important to invest them, and in your volunteer program.
The True Value of Volunteers: The Most Underrated Asset in Your Nonprofit
When you strip a nonprofit down to its essentials, you’re left with just three things that actually get the work done:
Board members
Staff
Volunteers
That’s it.
And yet, of those three, volunteers are often the most undervalued—and the most powerful—asset a nonprofit has.
Why Volunteers Matter More Than Most Leaders Realize
At a basic level, volunteers save nonprofits money.
They:
Reduce the need for paid staff
Eliminate salary expenses
Eliminate benefits costs
That alone is significant—especially for small and mid-sized nonprofits operating with tight budgets.
But the real value of volunteers goes far beyond cost savings.
Volunteers Multiply Resources and Impact
High-quality volunteers—especially board members—don’t just fill roles.
They multiply impact.
They bring:
Time that staff doesn’t have
Energy that can’t be bought
Perspective that improves decision-making
Strong volunteers allow nonprofits to do more than their budgets suggest they should be able to do.
The Tangible Benefits Volunteers Provide
Volunteers contribute real, measurable value in multiple ways.
They provide:
Time – Showing up, helping, doing the work
Money – Donating personally and fundraising
Skills – Marketing, finance, legal, technology, leadership
Expertise – Experience gained over careers and lifetimes
In many cases, volunteers deliver services nonprofits would otherwise have to pay dearly for.
The Power of Volunteer Influence
One of the most overlooked benefits of volunteers is influence.
Volunteers:
Know people
Open doors
Make introductions
Connect nonprofits to resources
They extend your organization’s reach into the community in ways staff often cannot.
Influence creates opportunity—and opportunity creates funding, partnerships, and growth.
Volunteers as Mission Ambassadors
Volunteers are often your best storytellers.
They:
Talk about your mission naturally
Share your work with friends and colleagues
Carry passion into places marketing never reaches
They are “passion passers”—spreading belief, enthusiasm, and credibility wherever they go.
That kind of advocacy is priceless.
The Intangibles You Can’t Put on a Balance Sheet
Volunteers bring something no budget line can capture.
They bring:
Love
Compassion
Generosity
Heart
They ignite emotion—in staff, donors, and the people you serve.
And emotion is what fuels commitment, loyalty, and long-term success.
Why Volunteers Often Become Donors
Here’s another important truth:
Volunteers have a high propensity to give financially.
Why?
They see the work up close
They feel connected
They understand the impact
They care deeply
Engaged volunteers often become:
Loyal donors
Major donors
Legacy donors
Their giving comes from belief, not obligation.
Build a Real Volunteer Program—Not Just a Roster
Volunteers don’t thrive by accident.
Strong nonprofits:
Intentionally recruit volunteers
Clearly define roles
Match people to their strengths
Provide orientation and support
A volunteer program should feel purposeful—not transactional.
Engagement Is the Secret Sauce
Volunteers stay when they feel:
Useful
Valued
Connected
Engagement means:
Inviting input
Offering responsibility
Sharing impact
Creating community
When volunteers feel ownership, they show up differently.
Praise, Recognition, and Gratitude Matter
Never underestimate the power of appreciation.
Thank volunteers:
Publicly
Privately
Often
Celebrate their contributions. Share stories of impact. Let them know they matter—because they do.
Key Takeaways
Volunteers are essential—not optional
They save money and expand capacity
They provide skills, expertise, and influence
They serve as powerful mission ambassadors
They bring heart and emotion to the work
Engaged volunteers often become generous donors
Summary
Volunteers are not “free labor.” Volunteers are an underrated asset!
They are force multipliers.
They amplify resources.They deepen impact.They spread passion.They bring heart to the mission.
Build a strong volunteer program.Engage people meaningfully.Praise them generously.
When you do, volunteers won’t just help your nonprofit survive—they’ll help it thrive.
Tom Iselin
Rated One of America’s Best Board Retreat
and Strategic Planning Facilitators
About the Author
Tom Iselin is recognized as one of America’s leading authorities on high-performance nonprofits. He has built nine sector-leading nonprofits and two software companies, written six books, sits on multiple boards, and has been rated one of America’s Best Board Retreat and Strategic Planning Facilitators. His work on nonprofit strategy, board leadership, and culture has been featured on CNN, Nightline, and in Newsweek.
Tom is the president of First Things First, a firm specializing in board retreats, strategic planning services, fundraising strategy, and executive coaching for nonprofit CEOs.
Board Retreats & Strategic Planning
If you’re looking for a board retreat facilitator or strategic planning facilitator who has been in the trenches and understands real-world nonprofit challenges, Tom can help your board gain clarity, build alignment, and create an actionable plan that improves performance and impact. His sessions propel organizations to the next level of performance and impact . . . and they're fun!
Board Retreats and Strategic Planning Services:
858.888.2278
