Date of Award
2019
Document Type
Restricted Capstone: Campus Only Access
Degree Name
Master of Nonprofit Studies
First Advisor
Dr. Andrew Schoeneman
Abstract
This paper examines volunteer satisfaction at Literacy Volunteers of Charlottesville/Albemarle. Volunteer satisfaction is important to nonprofit organizations that rely on them for sustained delivery of program services because satisfied volunteers bring long-term stability to an organization. This study determined that Literacy Volunteers of Charlottesville/Albemarle’s volunteer tutor retention rate is not necessarily indicative of volunteer satisfaction. Twelve past and present volunteer tutors were interviewed regarding their level of satisfaction, and 20 years’ of quantitative data on volunteers’ reasons for leaving the program were examined. While previous studies indicate that training, recognition, and screening to match volunteers to the tasks for which they are best suited are of primary importance in volunteer retention and satisfaction, the volunteers interviewed for this study place a higher value on the relationships they developed with their student partners. The volunteers also revealed that their level of satisfaction with the program was significantly influenced by their students’ success. It is hoped that this study will inform program improvements at Literacy Volunteers of Charlottesville/Albemarle and provide insight to volunteer managers in similar programs.
Recommended Citation
Osborne, Ellen Moore, "An Exploratory Evaluation of Volunteer Satisfaction at Literacy Volunteers of Charlottesville/Albemarle" (2019). School of Professional and Continuing Studies Nonprofit Studies Capstone Projects. 5.
https://scholarship.richmond.edu/spcs-nonprofitstudies-capstones/5