Today’s volunteers are digitally native. They expect the same seamless experience from volunteering, as they do when booking a gym class or ordering transport — quick, intuitive, and on-demand.
For charities, this shift puts new pressure on systems, processes, and the people who support volunteers every day. It also exposes a growing gap between what volunteers expect and what many organisations can currently deliver. But the biggest challenge charities face isn’t the technology itself. It’s building alignment, confidence, and buy-in across teams to embrace a new way of working.
The real barrier to change isn’t technology — it’s alignment
A common blocker is the persistent belief that there’s a volunteer recruitment crisis. Yet Rosterfy’s recent survey tells a different story: four in five organisations reported their volunteer numbers remained stable or increased in the past year. The challenge isn’t that volunteers don’t exist — it’s that outdated processes, slow communication, and complex journeys make it harder for people to start and stay engaged.
Which raises an important question: Is there a process, policy, or assumption in your organisation that might be unintentionally pushing people away from volunteering?
Rosterfy’s guide, Building a Business Case for a Better Volunteer Experience, helps organisations identify these hidden blockers and build a strong case for change.
Six drivers accelerating digital change in charities
Volunteer leaders see the daily pressures: rising service demand, shrinking budgets, and the need to attract and retain volunteers. But not everyone across the organisation feels the same urgency or sees digital transformation as part of the solution. Here are the key forces shaping why transformation can’t wait.
1. Rising costs are squeezing operations
Inflation and increasing service demand present operational challenges across the sector. But with greater efficiency and smarter use of time and data, organisations have a real opportunity to adapt, thrive, and deliver even more impact.
2. Reduced funding, higher expectations
Funding is less predictable, and legacy giving is in decline. Meanwhile, volunteers, donors, and partners expect greater transparency, responsiveness, and impact reporting. Automation helps Volunteer Managers do more with less.
3. Reactive vs strategic
Manual processes mean too many nonprofits operate in a reactive, ‘fire-fighting’ state. Modern systems enable forecasting, planning, and real-time visibility across locations — strengthening long-term resilience.
4. Digital gaps exclude potential volunteers
Clunky sign-up processes, slow follow-up or lack of mobile access deter volunteers — especially those exploring opportunities spontaneously or fitting volunteering around work and family life. A smoother experience expands your reach.
5. Data mismanagement is a growing risk
Volunteers and donors entrust organisations with sensitive personal information. Without proper systems and protocols, you risk a data breach and reputational damage. Centralised systems strengthen governance, security, and trust.
6. Attracting talent means keeping up
The systems you use, signal the kind of organisation you are. Outdated processes can deter both skilled volunteers and staff. Digital maturity is now a differentiator in recruitment and retention.
Build your business case with Rosterfy
Digital transformation succeeds when people understand why it matters — not just for efficiency, but for mission delivery. A clear business case helps everyone see the bigger picture: improving the volunteer experience is essential to staying relevant, resilient, and impactful.
Rosterfy has helped hundreds of organisations navigate digital transformation and successfully implement volunteer management software (VMS).
This guide will help you:
Assess your organisation's digital readiness
Calculate and communicate the ROI of VMS
Map current capabilities against future goals
Select the right technology to support your strategy
Drive adoption and change with minimal resistance
Download your copy of Building a Business Case for a Better Volunteer Experience and begin building a volunteer experience fit for the future.
