October Pro Roundup: The Best Volunteer Management Software to Meet Every Need
The best volunteer management software systems are vital tools that help nonprofits track volunteer impact and help you save time. When combined with other platforms, the right tool can help nonprofits perform at its highest level by aggregating data points so that you can make informed decisions and creating a space for volunteers to take ownership of their own data.
By automating administrative tasks and communications, volunteer organizations can streamline their volunteer intake process, track volunteer hours, centralize staff-volunteer communication, create volunteer profiles, schedule volunteer shifts, and segment volunteers by skills and interests.
Choosing the right volunteer management software is a foundational skill, but learning how to use it confidently will keep you organized, build connections with your volunteers, and enable you to manage resources effectively.
There are many different types of volunteer management software platforms available that can help your nonprofit get organized depending on your needs.
In this roundup, we share some of these different types volunteer management software so you can determine which one is the best for your various needs.
Scheduling Platforms and Event Management Systems
These kinds of systems are good for one-time events where you may not need to keep an on-going list of contact info for volunteers. They are often used by individuals, sports teams, schools, churches, or organized groups.
SignUp – Free AND Paid Plans
Touted as a simple and intuitive software, SignUp is trusted by parents, teachers, and business leaders alike to help save time and money.
While there is a free option, SignUp offers plans with advanced features for up to $99 per month.
Some of the most popular events and uses for SignUp are:
- Special events
- Service projects
- Walk-a-thons (or any kind of marathon!)
- Conferences/training
With email capabilities, automatic reminders, editing and customization, and reporting options, this software might be what you are looking for if you manage a small team of volunteers.
Check out more of what they offer here.
Schedulehead – Paid
While Schedulehead is advertised as a time-tracking software to manage employees, you can certainly utilize it for your volunteers!
Also of note, this is not a free platform; however, with some robust time tracking, document management, and automated onboarding features, the amount of time you save tracking all of this information down will be worth it!
In fact, Schedulehead states that 84% of their customers work faster after converting to their software.
Sling – Free AND Paid
Sling is a platform that offers a robust lineup of features, which again are tailored to managing a paid workforce but can easily be adapted for use in a volunteer program.
Not only are you able to offer an easy scheduling system, but there are communication tools, AND task management features that will help you manage complex project plans.
If you are looking to streamline your teams’ tasks, especially if your volunteers are remote, Sling might be a great option for you.
With the ability to clarify what’s expected of everyone when they login for their volunteer shift, you’ll ensure that all tasks are completed efficiently and on time!
Check out the free and paid options Sling offers here.
Timecounts – Paid (Monthly or Annual)
While Timecounts sounds as if it’s just another scheduling and time tracking software, there is actually quite a bit you can accomplish with this product.
Not only can you create a customized volunteer portal that makes it easy for volunteers to find and sign up for your opportunities, but you can utilize the recruitment, onboarding, communication, engagement, and reporting functions that will make your job just a bit easier!
With these features, your volunteer experience will be seamless and you’ll experience much higher engagement and retention rates!
Learn more about the different plans Timecounts offers here.
SignUp Genius – Free AND Paid
While this software is simple to use and offers a free option, the features on the free level are pretty limited. If you are only needing a software to track sign-ups for small events, it might be just what you need.
However, if you are looking for more robust features, you’ll want to look into one of their paid plans.
Check out their tiered plans here.
All-in-One Platforms and Volunteer Management Systems
The best volunteer management software option may be an “all-in-one” solution that combines shift scheduling with human resources management. These systems are generally more expensive and are usually used by nonprofits with established volunteer programs who want something more complex to manage recruiting, training, and communications.
Volgistics
Volgistics is a great option for customizing how you can use your volunteer management system in a way that works best for your needs, with ease.
Here’s a short list area that you can customize:
- Volunteer database
- Scheduling
- Reporting
- Application tracking
- Volunteer requirements
- Awards and appreciation
With their user-friendly interface, you’re able to manage the entire volunteer journey from recruitment and onboarding, to appreciation and ongoing engagement.
Check out the various plans Volgistics offers.
Better Impact
When you have a tool that is easy to use and streamlines every step of the volunteer experience, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without!
Better Impact offers a volunteer management software that can do just that.
This software offers the following (and comes highly recommended by fellow volunteer administrative professionals!):
- Easy to use, intuitive interface
- Customizable volunteer and organization profiles
- Flexible scheduling with rules around who can do what
- Tracking and reporting on hours, outputs, feedback and more
- Individual and mass targeted email and text communications
- Desktop and tablet volunteer portal
- Volunteer time-clock and QR code express check-in
- eLearning for volunteer on-boarding and training, and more!
Trusted by thousands of leaders of volunteers, this just might be your go-to tool!
Check out the pricing framework here.
Get Connected
Ideal for everyday use, Get Connected can help you increase volunteer engagement, develop long-term relationships, and track involvement with their volunteer management software.
Their software makes it easy to manage volunteer management, engagement, communications, and reporting so that volunteer administrative professionals can focus on what matters most.
Here are just a few ways this software supports the volunteer experience:
Volunteer Management
- Track hours
- Scheduling
- Event management
- Document management & eSign features
- Service-learning management
- Online donations and fundraising
Volunteer Engagement
- Volunteer check-in process
- Volunteer calendar
- Volunteer profiles
- Event landing pages
- Volunteer badges and resumes
- Volunteer group engagement features
Volunteer Communication
- Text messaging
- Automated notifications
- Social media integration
- Mobile app
Reporting
- Volunteer hours reporting
- Exportable reports
- Tools to help show volunteer impact
Learn more and sign up for a free demo here.
VSys One
One of the most common complaints we hear from leaders of volunteers is that they don’t have enough time in their day to get to accomplish everything on their to-do list.
With the right volunteer management software though, you can save time on repeated tasks that take you away from your leadership role.
Using Vsys One’s robust platform, you’ll be able to schedule, communicate with, and track your volunteers all in one place.
Here’s how this volunteer management system can help you save time AND ultimately, money:
- Consolidate your data – contact management, scheduling, reporting, planning – in a single tool.
- E-mail and text messaging tools for instant, inexpensive communication.
- Automatic reminders (e-mail or SMS/text message) to volunteers about upcoming assignments and trainings, expiring certifications.
- Free data conversions from Volunteer Works, Volgistics, Raiser’s Edge and Provelle.
- Integrate with other systems: HR, employee health, timeclocks, background checks, and others.
Learn more about the product here.
CERVIS
An easy-to-use software that helps leaders of volunteers better manage scheduling, communication, reporting, and more.
If you want easier online schedule, with the opportunity for volunteers to find and register online, CERVIS can help.
Looking for ways to engage volunteers via email and text? CERVIS offers options for automatic reminders and thank you messages. Need support getting your software set up? CERVIS provides personalized, one-on-one training.
With three tiers of features and support, check out which one is right for your organization here.
Donor-Volunteer Systems
In some cases, the best volunteer management software choice is one that combines fundraising and volunteer service. Dual systems like these are used for keeping information on volunteers and donors. Who are often the same people.
This information is kept for future fundraising campaigns or for sending notes of appreciation. You will most likely need to work with your development department to secure a system that works for both of your needs.
Bloomerang
While Bloomerang was built by fundraising experts, leaders of volunteers can benefit from this software system as it is heavily based on building relationships and continuing engagement.
Bloomerang’s donor management software is based on the recommendations of fundraising consultants, researchers and practitioners, coupled with the technical expertise of the software industry.
In addition, those at Bloomerang understand how donors are volunteers and volunteers are donors, so they have given you the ability to see the philanthropic capacity of all of your organization’s supporters.
Here are some of the features that are listed as part of their volunteer management features:
- Engagement levels
- Online forms
- Email marketing
- Reporting
- Custom fields
Learn more about the different pricing packages here.
Neon One
Like Bloomerang, Neon is a donor management software that is built to focus on relationships. This includes some capabilities to manage the volunteer experience.
Neon’s event and volunteer management features allow you to engage your supporters in many ways:
- Customizable volunteer sign-up forms
- Volunteer communications
- Volunteer management
- Time tracking
Schedule a call with a rep to get more information.
Humanitru
Humanitru came about when the founders determined that there was a need for better donor management platforms.
Their goal, to create a user-friendly, single solution platform that makes it easier for nonprofit staff to get their jobs done.
In addition to constituent, program, donation, event, and membership management, Humanitru offers volunteer management capabilities.
Here are some of their features:
- Custom volunteer landing pages
- Applicant tracking
- Reporting features
- Email marketing & reporting
Check out more on their tiered pricing plans here.
One System Can’t Do It All — Pinpoint Your Essential Software Requirements with Our Free Tool
Your volunteer management software should help you streamline your process but also help you measure what’s important to your organization by allowing you to sort categories individually and run reports based on combinations of each field.
When choosing the best volunteer management software platform for your organization, here are some key functions you might consider.
- Scheduling Tools – calls to action, shift signups & reminders, changes
- Relationship Building Elements – discussion boards, forums, private messaging, email reminders, group texts, etc.
- Data Reporting Tools – volunteer conversions, hours, progress though onboarding, departmental usage, awards, etc.
- Software Integration – with other systems (your donor software, MailChimp, Constant Contact, social media, etc.)
- Bells & Whistles – learning management system, resource portal, gamification, etc.
Need more guidance? Check out our FREE worksheet to help hone in on the “nice to have” versus “nnee to have” features you are looking for. NTHIS WILL HELP you choose the best volunteer management software for your needs and ensure you won’t regret your decision later.
2022 Volunteer Management Progress Report Survey
Leaders like you have exhibited phenomenal spirit and dedication in 2021. And we want to ensure that your voices and experiences are heard.
In this survey we will explore the impacts of COVID on both you and your organization over the past year. We appreciation your participation.
Your answers will be anonymous and the survey takes LESS THAN 5 MINUTES to complete. At the end of the survey, you will be able to register for a free Sneak Peek Webinar where we will share the early results exclusively with participants before the general public.
