The success of many nonprofit organizations often depends on the hard work of its volunteers. Nonprofit leaders today have begun to recruit and manage diverse groups of volunteers using new technologies. This resource list contains citations to selected works from the Foundation Center's bibliographic database Catalog of Nonprofit Literature on the topic of voluntarism. For a complete bibliography on this topic, search Catalog of Nonprofit Literature, under the main subject heading Voluntarism (sample search).
General Resources
Brudney, Jeffrey L. (ed.) Emerging Areas of Volunteering. Indianapolis: Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action, 2005.
Contents: "Employee Volunteer Programs" by Mary Tschirhart; "Virtual Volunteering" by Vic Murray and Yvonne Harrison; "Societal Changes and the Rise of the Episodic Volunteer" by Nancy Macduff; "Cross-National Volunteering: A Developing Movement?" by Justin Davis Smith, Angela Ellis, and Georgina Brewis; "Board Members of Nonprofit Organizations as Volunteers" by Robert D. Herman; "Government Volunteerism in the New Millennium" by Sarah Jane Rehnborg; and "Toward the Future of Volunteering" by Beth Gazley.
Corporation for National and Community Service. Volunteering in America: 2007 State Trends and Rankings in Civic Life. Washington, DC: Corporation for National & Community Service, 2007.
Analyzes information on volunteering in America in general and in individual states. Part one gives a general overview of American voluntarism. Part two compares rates of voluntarism across the 50 states and Washington, D.C. Part three analyzes voluntarism within each state by focusing on the number of volunteer hours and demographics. The last section is a technical note on statistical methods and data sources.
Donnelly, Sara Anne. "Trading Favors for Charity." Chronicle of Philanthropy, vol. 18 (26 January 2006): p. 20, 22-3.
The use of barter to trade volunteer services for goods is gaining momentum and Time Banks USA serves as an umbrella organization for many local initiatives. Known as "time dollars," the original concept of this type of exchange was developed by Edgar Cahn in 1987. In general, nonprofits and grantmakers have been reluctant to participate. A sidebar indicates that the practice has become popular in many other countries.
Musick, Marc A. and John Wilson. Volunteers: A Social Profile. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 2008.
In this research study of voluntarism worldwide, the authors examine motivations and many other factors that influence volunteering, based on surveys and other sources of statistical data.
Vineyard, Sue and Steve McCurley. Best Practices for Volunteer Programs. Darien, IL: Heritage Arts, 2001.
A guidebook providing tips on volunteer management. Describes the changing face of voluntarism and suggests new techniques for recruiting, retaining, and leading volunteers.
Recruiting
Lysakowski, Linda. Nonprofit Essentials: Recruiting and Training Fundraising Volunteers. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2005.
Explains how to find and attract volunteers, and provides sample job descriptions. The book also covers the training of volunteers and management of their work alongside staff members.
Successful Strategies for Recruiting, Training, and Utilizing Volunteers: A Guide for Faith- and Community-Based Service Providers. Washington, DC: U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2005.
Developed by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, the booklet provides pragmatic guidance on establishing and managing a volunteer program. Many aspects of the plan, including numerous worksheets, can be applied in other service fields. View the full text (PDF)
Management
Cravens, Jayne. "Online Volunteering Enters Middle Age." Nonprofit Quarterly, vol. 14 (Spring 2007): p. 65-8.
The author demonstrates why online volunteering is a management issue rather than a technological one. Beginning with an overview of how online volunteering has emerged, Cravens gives tips on how to successfully integrate online and face-to-face volunteer programs.
Ellis, Susan J. "Tracking Volunteer Trends." Association Management, vol. 57(January 2005): p. 72-4.
Ellis points out changes that volunteer managers can expect--volunteers want short-term assignments, virtual volunteering is popular, and the increasing use of Web sites for recruiting and communicating with volunteers.
Fernandez, Kim. "Sticky Business: Strategies for Managing Volunteers Who Fall Out of Step." Currents, vol. 31 (September 2005): p. 16-9, 21, 23.
Hager, Mark A. and Jeffrey L. Brudney. "Net Benefits: Weighing the Challenges and Benefits of Volunteers." Journal of Volunteer Administration, vol. 23, Number 1 (2005): p. 26-31.
Based on their national survey of public charities, the researchers were able to isolate statistics related to the opinions of volunteer managers. With bibliographical references.
McKee, Michael. "The Care and Feeding of Volunteers." Grassroots Fundraising Journal, vol. 24 (September-October 2005): p. 4-8.
The associate director of the New York State Tenants & Neighbors Coalition provides advice for volunteer managers. View the full text (PDF)
Risk Management
Cilenti, Maria (ed.) The Volunteer Workforce: Legal Issues and Best Practices for Nonprofits. New York, NY: Lawyers Alliance for New York, 2007.
A guidebook for managing risk in volunteer programs. Topics covered include young and senior volunteers, animals, corporate volunteers, public relations issues, insurance, and volunteer protection laws. With bibliographical references and resource list.
Coolidge, Carrie. "Biting a Helping Hand." Forbes, vol. 176 (3 October 2005): p. 82.
Explains that volunteers who serve on nonprofit boards may find themselves in legal jeopardy in the case where the nonprofit is sued. The article offers brief advice for protection, including directors and officers insurance.
Herman, Melanie L., Peggy M. Jackson, and Barbara B. Oliver. No Surprises: Harmonizing Risk and Reward in Volunteer Management, 4th edition. Washington, D.C.: Nonprofit Risk Management Center, 2006.
A guidebook for managing risk in volunteer programs. Topics covered include young and senior volunteers, animals, corporate volunteers, public relations issues, insurance, and volunteer protection laws. With bibliographical references and resource list.
Evaluation
Ellis, Susan J. "Evaluating Your Organization from a Volunteer's Point of View." Nonprofit World, vol. 18 (January-February 2000): p. 32-3.
Provides a form with criteria that enables nonprofits to evaluate their response to volunteers.
Mulvey, Holly J. et al. "Tell Us What You Really Think: How One Professional Association Developed an Online Tool to Assess Volunteer Satisfaction." Association Management, vol. 57 (July 2005): p. 56-9.
Toppe, Chris and Joe Galaskiewicz. Measuring Volunteering Committee Report. Washington, DC: Points of Light Foundation, 2006.
This report delves into the problem of accurately collecting statistics about volunteering, as people define the concept differently. View the full text (PDF)
Corporate Voluntarism
2006 Deloitte/Points of Light Volunteer IMPACT Survey: National Survey Results. Washington, DC: Points of Light Foundation, 2006.
This survey captured the opinions of nonprofit executives and white collar workers in early 2006. View the full text (PDF)
Berkley, Bert and Peter Economy. Giving Back: Connecting You, Business, and Community. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2008.
A guide for members of the business world, discussing the value of becoming involved in charitable activities and social change. Features various case studies and interviews with business and nonprofit leaders who have created lasting changes in their own communities and beyond.
Burnes, Kathy and Judith G. Gonyea. Expanding the Boundaries of Corporate Volunteerism: Retirees as a Valuable Resource. Boston, MA: Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship, 2005.
This research report is based on a study of 22 corporations--more than 1,000 employees and recent retirees--around the U. S. The findings show that businesses need to pay attention to the potential benefits that retirees bring to volunteer efforts.
Volunteering for Impact: Best Practices in International Corporate Volunteering. Boston, MA: FSG Social Impact Advisors, 2007.
Young Volunteers
Burns, David J., et al. "Volunteering: a Comparison of the Motivations of Collegiate Students Attending Different Types of Institutions." Journal of Volunteer Administration, vol. 23, Number 4 (2005): p. 31-40.
With bibliographical references.
Butts, Donna M. "Intergenerational Service Learning and Volunteering." New Directions for Philanthropic Fundraising, vol. 42 (Winter 2003): p. 59-69.
The author argues for the viability and value of intergenerational programs. With bibliographical references.
Grimm, Robert, Jr. et al. Building Active Citizens: The Role of Social Institutions in Teen Volunteering. Washington, DC: Corporation for National & Community Service, 2005.
Hand, Nathan. "Exploring Youth Volunteer Service Requirements." Volunteer Leadership, (Winter 2007): p. 26-30.
Discusses the pros and cons of volunteer service requirements in schools across the country. Preliminary research indicates that mandatory service programs are not achieving goals.
Hoover, Eric. "Freshman Survey: More Students Plan to Lend a Hand." Chronicle of Higher Education, vol. 52 (3 February 2006): p. A40-1, 43.
A recent nationwide survey of incoming college students found that many thought it important to give back to the less fortunate, and more than 25 percent planned to engage in volunteer activities while in college. In both categories, these are the largest percentages since 1996.
Safrit, R. Dale, Harriet C. Edwards, and Warren R. Flood. "Using the Web to Train and Support Teen Volunteers: An Initial Assessment of the North Carolina Try-It (Teens Reaching Youth through Innovative Teams) Program." Journal of Volunteer Administration, vol. 23, Number 4 (2005): p. 41-7.
Research based on two surveys taken in 2003. The authors conclude that the potential for Internet-based training is substantial. With bibliographical references.
Tomaselli, Kathleen Phalen. "Kids, Volunteering and the Digital Age: The New Way to Recruit Youth Volunteers." Volunteer Leadership, (Winter 2007): p. 14-20.
Senior Volunteers
Intergenerational Connections: Older Volunteers in the Arts and Humanities. New York, NY: International Longevity Center, 2005.
New thinking in the area of voluntarism is emphasizing the reciprocal nature of intergenerational programs: both older people and children benefit. This paper suggests ways to create support for such initiatives in the arts.
View the full text (PDF)
Perry, Suzanne. "Make Room for Boomers." Chronicle of Philanthropy, vol. 18 (24 November 2005): p. 6-8, 11, 14.
Members of the baby-boom cohort are demonstrating increased interest in voluntarism, a fact that nonprofits are eager to capitalize on. However, some observers--including grantmakers--think that nonprofits will need to make their volunteer opportunities more attractive, and competitive, than out-dated versions. The National Council on Aging, among other groups, is studying new models that will take advantage of the skills of this active generation.
Sharpe, Charles C. The Senior Volunteer: Where and How Retired Americans Can Give Back. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, 2005.
In this book, Sharpe seeks to encourage older and retired persons to volunteer, explaining the rewards that are accrued by both volunteers and the nonprofits they serve. He explains the range of possibilities that are available, and guides the reader in determining the best match for their abilities and interests. He cites many current studies on the relationship of retirement to voluntarism, and provides details on numerous government and private agencies that offer volunteer opportunities. One section explains how to "volunteer virtually." With glossary, bibliographical references, and index.
Volunteering Among Older Adults: Population Projections, 2007-2050. Washington, DC: Corporation for National & Community Service, 2007.
Estimates are based on population projections from the Census Bureau and survey data from the Current Population Survey.
Women Volunteers
Foster, Mary K. and Agnes G. Meinhard. "Women's Voluntary Organizations in Canada: Bridgers, Bonders, or Both?" Voluntas, vol. 16 (June 2005): p. 143-59.
A survey of the leaders of 645 voluntary organizations demonstrated that women's agencies engage in collaborative efforts and interorganizational relationships more than gender-neutral ones do. With bibliographical references.
Minter, Michele. "Women's Volunteerism and Philanthropy at Princeton University." New Directions for Philanthropic Fundraising, vol. 50 (Winter 2005): p. 125-139.
A case study of Princeton University's Women in Leadership Initiative, which has helped the institution increase its donor and volunteer base.
Volunteers With Disabilities
Andrews, Jane. "Altruism or Self-Actualisation? Disabled Volunteers' Perceptions of the Benefits of Volunteering." Journal of Volunteer Administration, vol. 23, Number 4(2005): p. 16-22.
Study findings are presented based on interviews with 50 people with disabilities. The author categorizes the benefits as both personal and external. With bibliographical references.
Black, Beverly. "Persons with Disabilities: Barriers and Rewards to Volunteering in Hospice Programs." Journal of Volunteer Administration, vol. 23, Number 1(2005): p. 32-6.
A statistical compilation based on a survey of volunteer coordinators in Detroit, Michigan.
Stroud, Suzanne et al. "Engaging Volunteers with Disabilities: A Qualitative Study." Journal of Volunteer Administration, vol. 23, Number 4 (2005): p. 6-15.
Data was collected by utilizing an online survey of volunteer coordinators in the U.S., Vancouver, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The collective responses of the managers, and their implications, are described.
Family Volunteering
Family Volunteering: A Guide for the Workplace, Washington, DC: Points of Light Foundation, 2007.
Provides advice for managers who are planning employee volunteer programs for families.
Friedman, Jenny. The Busy Family's Guide to Volunteering. Beltsville, MD: Robins Lane Press, 2003.
Explains how families can incorporate volunteering into busy schedules, and how to select activities that are age-appropriate. Specific opportunities and organizations are described in the areas of environmental protection, social action, poverty, and senior centers, to name a few. One chapter is devoted to volunteer vacations.
International Voluntarism
Sherraden, Margaret Sherrard et al. "The Forms and Structures of International Voluntary Service." Voluntas, vol. 17 (June 2006): p. 163-80.
In this analysis, the authors differentiate between programs that enhance international understanding from those that provide development and humanitarian aid--and give examples of both short- and long-term programs in each category. With bibliographical references.
Volunteering Worldwide. Utrecht, The Netherlands: NIZW Uitgeverij, 2001.
Organized by country, the book reveals the different aspects of voluntarism in 21 distinct states, describing the legal framework, statistics, demographics, and other characteristics of work without pay. The countries profiled here include Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, The Netherlands, United States, and Zambia.
Willsea, Jennifer Sage (ed.) Alternatives to the Peace Corps: A Directory of Third World and US Volunteer Opportunities. 10th ed. Oakland, CA: Food First Books, 2003.
A directory of volunteer and community development opportunities in third world countries and the United States. Contents include tips on selecting volunteer programs.
Links to Internet Resources
Foundations Center's FAQ on Volunteer Opportunities
Learn how to locate volunteer programs on the Web with the Center's FAQ.
Points of Light Foundation
The Points of Light Foundation's mission is to encourage community service to help solve social problems. The Web site contains information on its training sessions, programs, and other useful resources. Local volunteer organizations can be located on the Points of Light Foundation's Volunteer Center National Network.
Service Leader
An extensive Web site that is divided into five areas: virtual voluntarism; volunteer management; voluntarism in school settings; advice for volunteers; and online tutoring. Service Leader is a project of the RGK Center for Philanthropy and Community Service at the University of Texas at Austin, in collaboration with the Charles A. Dana Center.
Energizeinc.com
Energize, Inc. has a well-organized Web site that provides resources for volunteer leadership, including an online bookstore. Energize is a training, consulting and publishing company that specializes in voluntarism.
