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The Hidden Cost of 'Free' Volunteers and How to Leverage It

Thursday, April 9, 2026
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM (EDT)

Register Here

Event Details

The Hidden Cost of 'Free' Volunteers and How to Leverage It with Brooke Campbell, CNP, CVA


Thursday April 9, 2026 from 12:00pm - 1:00pm EST


Register HERE


This is a live virtual webinar.  The session will not be recorded.

Volunteers are often seen as a “free” resource, but anyone who manages a volunteer program knows that’s far from the full story. Behind every successful volunteer initiative lies a range of hidden investments: staff time for recruitment and supervision, consultants, training materials, workspace, technology platforms, insurance, and more. These costs often go unrecognized, underfunded, or absorbed by already-stretched nonprofit teams.
In this eye-opening workshop, we’ll break down the true cost of volunteer engagement and show you how to quantify the financial and operational resources your program really requires. You’ll learn to apply a cost calculation formula that translates hidden inputs into clear numbers, giving you a powerful tool to advocate for adequate funding, justify budget lines, and communicate your program’s value to internal and external stakeholders.
Whether you’re a volunteer manager, program coordinator, or development professional, you’ll leave with:
  • A practical cost-calculation worksheet you can adapt for your own program
  • Real-world examples to guide your estimates
  • Strategies to build a stronger case for investment in volunteer infrastructure
  • Renewed confidence to shift the narrative around volunteerism from “free help” to “strategic resource”
Let’s stop hiding the cost and start showing the value.

Join us for our Free Speakers Series

At the Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration (CCVA), we are focused on leadership, excellence and advocacy amongst our peers so that we can work with credibility, confidence and character. Please join your peers in volunteer leadership and engagement for our speakers series. All of our sessions are free and all are welcome to attend.