Current trends in volunteer management
View All TagsAs we wrap up 2025, I've been reflecting on the conversations I've had with volunteer coordinators across the country. Whether I'm onboarding a new organization onto myTRS or catching up with longtime clients, one theme keeps emerging: the way we manage volunteers is fundamentally changing—and those who adapt are thriving.
The volunteer landscape continues to evolve rapidly in 2025, with registration management taking center stage as organizations compete for committed helpers in an increasingly digital world. With new technologies and shifting volunteer expectations, staying ahead of these trends isn't just nice-to-have, it's essential for organizational success.
Get started. Partner with other organizations in your immediate geographic area. Start with a smaller group of 10-15 diverse organizations who wish to have a positive impact on your community. You may wish to kick-off with a mini volunteer management workshop sponsored by your community bank or community foundation to explore many of the volunteer research and trends discussed above. Note: TRS offers these workshops at a low fee but there are also other companies who can assist you.
Updated: Feb 26, 2020
Recently I stumbled across a new volunteer management study for growing and retaining event volunteers that stuck with me. The study by Fujiwara, Lawton and Watt has a rather long name, “Using behavioral science to recruit and retain volunteers more effectively” or it is better known as the GIVERS study in the UK where it was commissioned. The study isn’t quite a book but at 140 pages in length you need a little time to invest in reading the entire study.
Updated: Feb 26, 2020
Hello. I'm Florence May. I own a software company that helps organizations manage their volunteers. The company was founded in the early 2000s to support large events – the 500 Festival, NCAA Final Four, the Super Bowl, National League of Cities, American Association of Museums, National FFA and Special Olympics.