How do you measure the impact of your volunteering activities on the community or the cause?

Volunteering is a rewarding way to contribute to a community or a cause that you care about. But how do you know if your efforts are making a difference? Measuring the impact of your volunteering activities can help you evaluate your goals, improve your performance, and communicate your value to others. In this article, we will explore some ways to measure the impact of your volunteering activities on the community or the cause.

1 Define your outcomes

The first step to measure the impact of your volunteering activities is to define what outcomes you want to achieve. Outcomes are the changes or benefits that result from your actions, such as increased awareness, improved skills, or enhanced well-being. To define your outcomes, you need to understand the needs and expectations of the community or the cause you are serving, and how your activities align with their vision and mission. You can use tools such as logic models, theories of change, or SMART objectives to help you define your outcomes.

Add your perspective

Liz Bell - Career Change Wizard

Empowering professional women who want to change career to create an exciting and fulfilling new one | progress | be challenged | be re-energised | be happy! |
Report contribution
As a volunteer mentor, I set goals with my mentees. This gives us the framework for our meetings and a measure of success, a place to start when reviewing success and learning.

Like

Unhelpful

2 Choose your indicators

The next step to measure the impact of your volunteering activities is to choose indicators that can help you track and measure your outcomes. Indicators are specific, measurable, and observable data points that show the progress and results of your activities, such as number of participants, hours of service, feedback scores, or testimonials. To choose your indicators, you need to consider what data is relevant, reliable, and feasible to collect, and how it will help you demonstrate your impact. You can use tools such as surveys, interviews, focus groups, or observation to collect your indicators.

Add your perspective

Sue Carter Kahl

Bridging research and practice in volunteer engagement
(edited)
Report contribution
It is helpful to link volunteer indicators with organizational indicators. To what extent are volunteers contributing to organizational outcomes? Go beyond volunteer numbers and hours and select indicators that capture the results of volunteer time. Also consider which data would matter those closest to the mission. Include qualitative information such as stories, quotes, or testimonials. Volunteers often support of the quality of the programs that are offered, not just the quantity.

Like

Unhelpful
Liz Bell - Career Change Wizard

Empowering professional women who want to change career to create an exciting and fulfilling new one | progress | be challenged | be re-energised | be happy! |
Report contribution
I know how many people I'm working with at any one time and the number of hours I spend on my training, meetings and admin for my role. I also keep a note of testimonials, verbal or in writing.

Like

Unhelpful

3 Analyze your data

The third step to measure the impact of your volunteering activities is to analyze your data and compare it with your outcomes. Analyzing your data can help you understand the extent and quality of your impact, as well as identify any gaps, challenges, or opportunities for improvement. To analyze your data, you need to use appropriate methods and tools, such as descriptive statistics, graphs, charts, or case studies, to summarize and visualize your data. You also need to use critical thinking and reflection to interpret and evaluate your data, and to acknowledge any limitations or biases.

Add your perspective

Liz Bell - Career Change Wizard

Empowering professional women who want to change career to create an exciting and fulfilling new one | progress | be challenged | be re-energised | be happy! |
Report contribution
I provide a summary of the meeting to the mentee. Typing this up, along with actions, allows me to think about how the session went, what I can improve upon and what is going well. I can also start to see any biases that might be preventing me from providing the best support.

Like

Unhelpful

4 Report your findings

The fourth step to measure the impact of your volunteering activities is to report your findings and share them with your stakeholders. Reporting your findings can help you communicate your impact and value to the community or the cause you are serving, as well as to your peers, funders, partners, or potential volunteers. To report your findings, you need to use clear and concise language, and tailor your message and format to your audience and purpose. You can use tools such as reports, presentations, newsletters, or social media to share your findings.

Add your perspective

Liz Bell - Career Change Wizard

Empowering professional women who want to change career to create an exciting and fulfilling new one | progress | be challenged | be re-energised | be happy! |
Report contribution
This has always been done by the organisations I volunteer for. We know how many young people we have collectively supported and of those young people, how many have achieved a positive outcome.

Like

Unhelpful

5 Apply your learning

The fifth step to measure the impact of your volunteering activities is to apply your learning and use it to inform your future actions. Applying your learning can help you improve your effectiveness and efficiency, and enhance your personal and professional development. To apply your learning, you need to use feedback and recommendations from your stakeholders, as well as your own self-assessment, to identify what worked well, what didn't, and what can be done better. You also need to use action planning and goal setting to implement your learning and monitor your progress.

Add your perspective

6 Celebrate your success

The sixth and final step to measure the impact of your volunteering activities is to celebrate your success and recognize your achievements. Celebrating your success can help you appreciate your contribution and impact, and motivate you to continue or expand your volunteering activities. To celebrate your success, you need to acknowledge and thank yourself and others who supported you, and celebrate the positive outcomes and changes that you helped create. You can use tools such as certificates, awards, events, or stories to celebrate your success.

Add your perspective

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

How do you measure the impact of your volunteering activities on the community or the cause?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Define your outcomes

2 Choose your indicators

3 Analyze your data

4 Report your findings

5 Apply your learning

6 Celebrate your success

7 Here’s what else to consider

Volunteering

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Volunteering

More relevant reading

How do you measure the impact of your volunteering activities on the community or the cause?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Define your outcomes

2 Choose your indicators

3 Analyze your data

4 Report your findings

5 Apply your learning

6 Celebrate your success

7 Here’s what else to consider

Volunteering

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

Explore Other Skills