Diverse volunteers build a community garden, symbolizing recognition and training's impact on retention.

The Secret to Keeping Volunteers: How Training and Recognition Boost Retention

Rhea Morgan in Mind & Education July 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover proven strategies from a new study on how nonprofits can leverage human resource practices to reduce volunteer turnover and build stronger teams."

Volunteers are the lifeblood of countless organizations, dedicating their time and skills to causes they believe in. In the United States alone, about 25% of adults volunteer, contributing billions of hours annually. Yet, managing these invaluable individuals presents a unique challenge: volunteer turnover. Unlike paid employees, volunteers aren't bound by contracts and can easily withdraw their services if they feel unappreciated or unsupported.

Volunteer turnover can disrupt operations, strain resources, and hinder an organization's ability to achieve its mission. Replacing volunteers requires time and money for recruitment, onboarding, and training. Therefore, understanding and addressing the factors that contribute to volunteer retention is crucial for any organization that relies on volunteer support.

New research sheds light on how strategic human resource (HR) practices can significantly impact volunteer retention. A study published in 'Nonprofit Management and Leadership' explores the effectiveness of training and recognition programs in reducing volunteer turnover within a large youth organization. The findings offer valuable insights for nonprofits and community groups seeking to build stronger, more committed volunteer teams.

The Power of Appreciation: How Recognition Programs Reduce Turnover

Diverse volunteers build a community garden, symbolizing recognition and training's impact on retention.

The study found that recognizing volunteer contributions through discretionary awards had a significant, positive impact on retention. Volunteers who received awards were less likely to leave the organization in the following year. This highlights the importance of making volunteers feel valued and appreciated for their efforts.

Recognition can take many forms, from simple thank-you notes to public acknowledgments and formal awards ceremonies. The key is to tailor the recognition to the individual volunteer and the specific contribution they've made.

Acknowledge contributions publicly: Highlight volunteer achievements in newsletters, social media posts, or during organizational events.
Offer personalized thank-you notes: A handwritten note expressing gratitude can go a long way.
Create award programs: Implement a system for recognizing outstanding volunteers with certificates, trophies, or other meaningful tokens of appreciation.
Provide opportunities for advancement: Offer leadership roles or other opportunities for volunteers to take on more responsibility.

By consistently recognizing and celebrating volunteer contributions, organizations can create a culture of appreciation that fosters loyalty and reduces turnover.

Investing in Volunteers: A Win-Win Strategy

Volunteer turnover is a persistent challenge for many organizations, but it's not an insurmountable one. By understanding the factors that influence volunteer retention and implementing strategic HR practices like training and recognition programs, organizations can build stronger, more committed volunteer teams. Investing in volunteers is not just a cost; it's an investment in the organization's future and its ability to make a positive impact on the world.

About this Article -

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Everything You Need To Know

What is the primary challenge organizations face regarding volunteers, and why is it significant?

The main challenge organizations face with volunteers is volunteer turnover. This is significant because volunteers, unlike paid employees, are not bound by contracts and can choose to leave if they feel unappreciated or unsupported. Replacing volunteers requires time, money, and resources for recruitment, onboarding, and training, which can disrupt operations and hinder the organization's ability to achieve its mission.

How does the study in 'Nonprofit Management and Leadership' connect training and recognition to volunteer retention?

The study, published in 'Nonprofit Management and Leadership', explored the effectiveness of training and recognition programs in reducing volunteer turnover within a large youth organization. The research found that strategic human resource practices, specifically training and recognition, significantly impact volunteer retention. By implementing these programs, organizations can build stronger, more committed volunteer teams.

What specific recognition practices were found to be effective in retaining volunteers, according to the research?

The study highlighted that discretionary awards had a significant, positive impact on retention. Volunteers who received awards were less likely to leave the organization in the following year. The study also suggests that recognition can take many forms, including public acknowledgments in newsletters or social media, personalized thank-you notes, award programs with certificates or trophies, and providing opportunities for advancement.

What are the different ways organizations can offer recognition to volunteers?

Organizations can recognize volunteers through several methods. The article suggests acknowledging contributions publicly via newsletters or social media, offering personalized thank-you notes, creating award programs with certificates or trophies, and providing opportunities for advancement. The key is to tailor the recognition to the individual volunteer and their specific contributions, fostering a culture of appreciation.

Why is investing in volunteer training and recognition considered a 'win-win strategy' for organizations?

Investing in volunteer training and recognition is a 'win-win strategy' because it addresses the persistent challenge of volunteer turnover. By implementing strategic HR practices like training and recognition programs, organizations can build stronger, more committed volunteer teams. This not only reduces the costs and disruptions associated with turnover but also enhances the organization's ability to make a positive impact on the world, highlighting that it's an investment in the organization's future.