{
  "slug": "volunteer-value",
  "title": "Volunteer Hour Value Calculator",
  "heading": "Volunteer Time Value Calculator",
  "category": "financial",
  "url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/volunteer-value",
  "summary": "Dollar value of volunteer hours, plus program cost and net benefit.",
  "description": "Volunteer time is a real contribution and belongs in your impact reporting — but managing volunteers costs money too. This values the hours at the rate you choose and nets out coordination, training, and screening costs.",
  "formula": "Value = hours × hourly value; net = value − (coordinator time + training + screening).",
  "dateModified": "2026-09-30",
  "run_url": "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/api/public/calc?tool=volunteer-value",
  "inputs": [
    {
      "id": "volunteers",
      "label": "Active volunteers",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 85,
      "unit": null,
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "hoursEach",
      "label": "Hours each per month",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 6,
      "unit": null,
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "rate",
      "label": "Value per volunteer hour",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": "National estimated value of volunteer time",
      "default": 34.79,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "coordHours",
      "label": "Coordinator hours per month",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 60,
      "unit": null,
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "coordRate",
      "label": "Coordinator cost per hour",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 32,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "trainingEach",
      "label": "Training & screening per volunteer",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 45,
      "unit": "$",
      "min": 0,
      "max": null
    },
    {
      "id": "turnover",
      "label": "Annual volunteer turnover",
      "kind": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "default": 35,
      "unit": "%",
      "min": 0,
      "max": 100
    }
  ],
  "outputs": [
    {
      "id": "value",
      "label": "Monthly value of volunteer time",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": true
    },
    {
      "id": "annualValue",
      "label": "Annual value",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "hours",
      "label": "Volunteer hours per month",
      "format": "number",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "cost",
      "label": "Monthly program cost",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "net",
      "label": "Net monthly benefit",
      "format": "currency",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    },
    {
      "id": "roi",
      "label": "Return on volunteer program spend",
      "format": "percent",
      "hint": null,
      "primary": false
    }
  ],
  "worked_example": {
    "inputs": [
      "Active volunteers: 85",
      "Hours each per month: 6",
      "Value per volunteer hour: 34.79 $",
      "Coordinator hours per month: 60",
      "Coordinator cost per hour: 32 $",
      "Training & screening per volunteer: 45 $",
      "Annual volunteer turnover: 35 %"
    ],
    "outputs": [
      "Monthly value of volunteer time: $17,743",
      "Annual value: $212,915",
      "Volunteer hours per month: 510",
      "Monthly program cost: $2,032",
      "Net monthly benefit: $15,711",
      "Return on volunteer program spend: 773%"
    ]
  },
  "how_to": {
    "title": "How to use this",
    "steps": [
      "Enter active volunteers.",
      "Enter hours each per month.",
      "Enter value per volunteer hour ($) — National estimated value of volunteer time.",
      "Enter coordinator hours per month.",
      "Enter coordinator cost per hour ($).",
      "Enter training & screening per volunteer ($).",
      "Enter annual volunteer turnover (%).",
      "Read your monthly value of volunteer time on the right — it updates as you type.",
      "Hit Share to keep the scenario or send it to someone."
    ]
  },
  "scenarios": [
    {
      "name": "Conservative",
      "description": "Lower-end numbers — what if things land soft?",
      "values": {
        "volunteers": 51,
        "hoursEach": 3.5999999999999996,
        "rate": 34.79,
        "coordHours": 35,
        "coordRate": 19,
        "trainingEach": 25,
        "turnover": 20
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Typical",
      "description": "Defaults — the most common real-world setup.",
      "values": {
        "volunteers": 85,
        "hoursEach": 6,
        "rate": 34.79,
        "coordHours": 60,
        "coordRate": 32,
        "trainingEach": 45,
        "turnover": 35
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "Ambitious",
      "description": "Higher-end numbers — what if things really pop?",
      "values": {
        "volunteers": 136,
        "hoursEach": 9.600000000000001,
        "rate": 34.79,
        "coordHours": 95,
        "coordRate": 51,
        "trainingEach": 70,
        "turnover": 55
      }
    }
  ],
  "limitations": [
    "Results are estimates before tax, fees, and inflation unless an input explicitly covers them.",
    "Rates are treated as fixed for the whole period — variable-rate products will drift from this projection.",
    "This is educational maths, not financial advice. Check anything contractual with the lender or your accountant."
  ],
  "faq": [
    {
      "q": "Can we record volunteer time as revenue?",
      "a": "Only in narrow cases. GAAP recognizes contributed services when they create or enhance a non-financial asset, or require specialized skills the organization would otherwise purchase. General volunteer help stays out of the financial statements — but still belongs in your annual report."
    },
    {
      "q": "Which hourly rate should I use?",
      "a": "The Independent Sector national estimate for general service, or a market rate for skilled work like pro bono legal or accounting hours, which are worth several times the general figure."
    }
  ],
  "related": [
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/nonprofit-overhead-ratio",
    "https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/fundraising-event-roi"
  ],
  "license": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "citation": "RevenueLab — Volunteer Hour Value Calculator (https://www.revenuelab.fyi/toolbox/volunteer-value)"
}