Volunteers are the lifeblood of the nonprofit sector. They bring skills, time, passion, and community connection—often without asking for anything in return. But when it comes to quantifying the true value of that time, most organizations fall short. Not because they don’t care, but because it’s hard.

Between limited tracking systems, evolving definitions of “impact,” and differing perceptions among funders, the nonprofit world faces a serious challenge in which we ask ourselves: How do we capture the real value of volunteer work, and how can we communicate it effectively?

‍In this post, we’ll explore why measuring volunteer impact is so complex, how organizations are currently approaching it, what critical gaps remain, and how we can begin telling a more powerful story—one that reflects the real worth of volunteerism, especially in the context of corporate volunteerism and beyond.

So what’s missing from the current landscape of volunteer measurement?

If 10 volunteers serve 100 hours sorting food at a pantry, what’s the real-world result? Was it 500 more families served? Reduced food waste? Freed up staff capacity for fundraising? These are the outcomes funders and stakeholders care about, but they’re often missing from reports.

Organizations that rely on sign-in sheets, spreadsheets, or outdated databases often underreport volunteer contributions—especially when volunteers serve remotely or informally. This leads to an underrepresentation of the true scale of support provided.

The Points of Light report also points to a striking discrepancy: while nonprofits say volunteers are valuable, they underinvest in systems, staff, and strategies to manage them effectively. This gap between perceived value and actual investment weakens the case for volunteerism at the leadership and funder level.

To elevate the value of volunteer time, nonprofits must shift from tracking hours to demonstrating impact. Here’s how:

Don’t just say, “Volunteers served 2,000 hours.” Say, “Volunteers contributed 2,000 hours this year, enabling our staff to expand tutoring to 150 additional students and reduce program waitlists by 30%.”

Wherever possible, translate hours into concrete outputs and outcomes. This helps connect the dots between effort and effect.

Data alone isn’t enough. Combine quantitative stats with qualitative stories to bring volunteer contributions to life.

For example:

‍“When a team from Acme Corp volunteered at our shelter, they didn’t just repaint the walls—they helped create a more welcoming space for over 500 clients who pass through each month. One resident told us it was the first time a place felt like ‘home’ in years.”

‍Stories like this humanize the numbers and show the emotional and social value volunteers create.

Wrapping Up

Volunteer time is more than a warm gesture. It’s talent, commitment, and power—all generously given. But until nonprofits close the gap between perception and measurement, much of that value will remain invisible to funders, partners, and even the volunteers themselves.

By adopting a more holistic, impact-driven approach to measuring and communicating volunteer value—and leveraging corporate volunteerism and volunteer grants—organizations can finally start telling the whole story.