Unit 6: Select a Volunteer Program Management Tool

[Alicia_Schmidt]

The range of affordable products designed to help you manage  employee volunteering programs and track impact has significantly expanded in recent years. While you can start a volunteering program with spreadsheets and calendar tools, eventually you may want to invest in technology that supports your company’s volunteering goals.

As you look to make that investment, be sure to ask yourself the following questions:

Are the core features aligned to your volunteering objectives?

Ensure the tool resonates with your company's specific volunteering objectives, whether it's boosting participation, tracking impact, or enhancing community engagement. Also consider how this tool might align and support broader CSR and ESG strategies.

Will the tool help solve any current pain points or areas for improvement?

Evaluate existing volunteering management methods, if any, to identify pain points and areas for improvement. Opt for platforms with intuitive designs and user-friendly interfaces, ensuring ease of use for all of your stakeholders.

Does the tool have a user-friendly experience for both administrators and volunteers?

Products with overly complex interfaces can hinder adoption and usability among employees and administrators. Prioritize platforms that offer flexibility for customization to align with your company's volunteering programs and workflows.

Does the tool integrate easily with your existing corporate systems?

Ensure the product integrates with your existing systems like HR software, CRM, or communication platforms. Tools that don't integrate seamlessly with your existing systems can cause data silos and inefficiencies.

Does the tool adhere to established data protection and security protocols for handling employee data?

Prioritize platforms that prioritize data security and comply with industry standards and regulations.

Does the pricing make sense for the ROI you expect?

Evaluate the pricing structure and weigh it against the potential return on investment in terms of improved efficiency and increased engagement and impact.

Does the product include support and onboarding for administrators and users?

Be sure  there are adequate resources for onboarding and supporting administrators and users.

Will the tool grow with your company?

Tools that can't scale along with your company’s growth may become outdated or limited over time. Choose platforms that offer scalability to accommodate your company’s evolving volunteering needs and increasing participation.

What do other customers think about the product?

Research user feedback and reviews from other companies  using the tool. Seek references or recommendations from industry peers who have employed similar corporate volunteering management tools. 

Once you have identified and selected a product, you (or your tech lead) will need to plan a structured implementation process involving key stakeholders. 

Part of our Igniting Impact webinar series, check out these two sessions from   to help you navigate the ever-changing terrain of impact management tools and platforms.

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Paid Products for Time Tracking and Employee Volunteering Experience

There are lots of products on the market these days for managing your corporate social responsibility and ESG initiatives. This list is not an endorsement, but rather a place to start if needed. Know of other great products you think should be on this list? Let us know at members@pledge1percent.org.

America’s Charities	Deed	Submittable
Benevity	Groundswell	VolunteerMatch
BrightFunds	Goodera	WeSpire
Chezuba	Selflessly	YourCause (now part of Blackbaud)