Top 15+ Volunteer Management Training Courses and Resources

Volunteer management is a rewarding career with plenty of opportunities for personal and professional fulfillment. Whether you’re looking for a new professional path or you’re a seasoned volunteer leader, volunteer management training offers an invaluable opportunity to upskill and advance in the field.

This article outlines everything you need to know about volunteer management training, including our list of the top volunteer management training programs and certification courses. 

What Are Volunteer Management Training Programs?

Volunteer management training programs are educational courses, workshops, conferences, or certifications designed to help individuals develop the skills and knowledge needed to recruit, engage, support, and retain volunteers effectively.

While every volunteer training course is different, these programs often offer insight and instruction around volunteer management best practices, including:

• Volunteer Recruitment and Onboarding: Learn how to attract the right volunteers, write compelling role descriptions, and create smooth onboarding experiences.
• Engagement and Retention: Discover how to engage volunteers, recognize their contributions, build long-term relationships, and improve the volunteer experience.
• Communication and Leadership: Improve your ability to lead volunteers, resolve conflicts, and communicate clearly and inclusively.
• Risk Management and Legal Considerations: Understand liability, background checks, and policies that help protect both the organization and the volunteer.
• Data and Evaluation: Learn how to measure volunteer impact, track hours, and report on the value volunteers bring to your organization.

Pro Tip: Did you know you can use Get Connected to track volunteer hours, generate impact reports, and turn data into actionable insights? It’s a powerful way to measure outcomes and strengthen your volunteer strategy.

Why Are Volunteer Management Training Programs Important?

For nonprofit leaders, supporting volunteer leaders in volunteer management training is essential to long-term retention. In fact, studies show that organizations that make a strategic investment in employee development are twice as likely to retain their employees. And in the nonprofit world, that's essential, given that the industry has the highest staff turnover rate.

For volunteer leaders, upskilling is crucial. As Faiza Venzant, CVA, says, “[Embracing] a mindset of continuous learning and professional development [can] provide invaluable support, mentorship, collaborative opportunities, enhance leadership capabilities, and drive meaningful impact within respective organizations.”

Who Should Consider Volunteer Management Training Programs?

Volunteer management training is for current volunteer management professionals as well as individuals seeking a career in volunteer management, including:

• Volunteer coordinators and managers
• Nonprofit organization program staff
• HR professionals managing corporate volunteer programs
• Anyone starting or improving volunteer involvement

The Top Volunteer Management Courses and Certification Programs

Volunteer Management Certification Programs

• Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration: Register directly through this internationally recognized accrediting organization to take the CVA certification exam.
  
  
• Volunteer Impact Leadership Training: The VILT Series offers practical, inclusive training that equips both new and seasoned practitioners with tools to strengthen mission-driven volunteer programs and expand their impact.
  
  
• Nonprofit Leadership Center: Recipients will receive a Certificate in Volunteer Management from the Florida Association for Volunteer Resource Management.
  
  
• Nonprofit Austin: Earn a Certificate in Volunteer Management online, conducted in six half-day sessions.
  
  
• Volunteer Management Group: Develop and improve skills like communication, leadership, and marketing designed specifically for volunteer managers in training.

Higher Education-Led Volunteer Management Certification

• NC State University: Degree students and college graduates can earn a Youth, Family, and Community Sciences Online Graduate Certificate in Leadership and Volunteer Management.
  
  
• University of Arkansas Little Rock: The Certified Volunteer Management Program offered by Arkansas Public Administration Consortium (APAC) develops volunteer professionals’ leadership and management skills.
  
  
• Fleming College (Ontario, Canada): This certification program consists of four online courses based on the standards set by the Human Resources Council of Canada and the Volunteer Management Professionals of Canada.

Free Volunteer Management Training Courses and Resources

• Nonprofit.Courses: Access lots of free resources, videos, books, volunteer management tips, checklists, and best practices.
  
  
• Nonprofitready.org: Free volunteer management training from experts help volunteer managers learn practical skills to recruit, onboard, and retain volunteers.
  
  
• 501 Commons: The public library for all things volunteer management, 501 Commons compiles resources from across the web so volunteer managers can target their training based on their needs.
  
  
• VolunteerMatch: Register for free webinars and video modules featuring volunteer management experts, ideal for honing skills in specific areas of volunteer management.
  
  
• Get Connected: Get Connected offers nonprofits and volunteer leaders fresh monthly free webinars and resources on leading volunteers effectively. From interviews with volunteer management coaches and volunteer management consultants to free downloadable guides on streamlining volunteer operations, Get Connected's resources are perfect for any professional.

Online Volunteer Management Training Courses

• VolunteerPro Volunteer Management Academy: Professional-level courses are suitable for both new and seasoned volunteer leaders.
  
  
• AL!VE Academy: This online association offers nonprofit professionals webinars and classes designed to support leaders in all aspects of volunteerism.
  
  
• Nonprofit Learning Lab: Continue on your professional development journey with engaging sessions like “How to Manage Difficult Volunteers.”
  
  
• Energize Inc.: Registration fee covers one year of access to 25 seminars (around five hours of instruction), 19 self-guided seminars, and a support team to answer your questions.
  
  
• Udemy: This online learning platform offers several virtual courses in volunteer management (in English and Spanish). Classes are short yet informative.

The Best Free Volunteer Management Resources

Ready to advance your career as a volunteer leader—for free? Join Get Connected’s Volunteer Management Insider community to be the first to hear when volunteer management training webinars are open for registration!