Discover what makes a good volunteer and the key traits that will provide the most benefit for a nonprofit.
You can spot a great volunteer from across the room; someone who brings energy, kindness, and a sense of purpose to every project. But what makes a good volunteer stand out isn’t always obvious from a resume or a single conversation.
If you’ve ever wondered what qualities truly matter, you’re in the right place.
In this post, we’ll explore the top qualities to look for in volunteers, from reliability and communication to empathy and initiative, and how these traits help create a stronger, more connected program.
Whether you're recruiting, training, or just evaluating your current team, these insights can help you build a volunteer base that lasts.
A good volunteer combines reliability, compassion, flexibility, and a positive attitude to support your organization's mission effectively. These fundamental qualities of a volunteer ensure they can adapt to changing situations and work well with others.
Skills can be taught, but character traits shape the entire volunteer experience. When volunteers embody these qualities, they help create a welcoming culture and strengthen team bonds, which has been shown to improve volunteer job satisfaction.
Your organization benefits from reduced turnover and increased impact when you focus on recruiting and developing volunteers with these key traits, as people who volunteered in the previous year are 14.5% more likely to volunteer in the current year.
Quick Tip: During interviews, ask scenario-based questions like "Tell me about a time when plans changed suddenly. How did you respond?" to uncover a volunteer's natural approach to flexibility and problem-solving.
Not every great volunteer looks the same, but most share a few key traits that help them thrive in any setting. Here are the most valuable qualities to look for when building a strong, dependable volunteer team.
Reliability means showing up on time and following through on commitments. Consistent volunteers help your team plan and deliver services without last-minute disruptions.
When volunteers communicate changes promptly, you can adjust and maintain service quality. Reliable volunteers also serve as role models for new team members, helping establish a dependable, organized culture across your entire program.
Compassionate volunteers genuinely care about others and listen without judgment. This quality helps them connect meaningfully with the people they serve. Empathy allows volunteers to understand diverse perspectives and respond sensitively to community needs.
Volunteers who lead with empathy create safe, welcoming spaces that help clients feel heard, valued, and respected, especially in sensitive or emotionally charged situations.
Flexible volunteers adapt to new situations and adjust to changes quickly. They're willing to step into different roles when needed. This quality is especially valuable during busy periods or when unexpected challenges arise.
Flexible volunteers help maintain service flow, fill in gaps, and make it easier for coordinators to manage day-to-day needs without added stress.
Volunteers who collaborate well build trust and share responsibilities effectively. They understand their role within the larger mission.
Team players support their peers and contribute to a positive atmosphere for everyone. They ask for help when needed, offer support without being asked, and understand that every success is a team win, not just an individual one.
Great volunteers remain open to new information and feedback. They view volunteer training as an opportunity rather than an obligation.
This learning mindset helps them grow into new responsibilities and adapt to program changes. They’re curious, ask thoughtful questions, and are more likely to adopt tools, technology, or best practices that improve the program as a whole.
Effective communication means sharing updates, asking questions, and expressing concerns clearly through volunteer email communications. Good communicators prevent misunderstandings before they cause problems.
They also know when to listen rather than speak, which is equally important. Strong communication builds trust, reduces friction, and ensures volunteers feel supported and connected to staff and fellow volunteers alike.
Committed volunteers believe in your organization's mission and values. This passion sustains their motivation, even during challenging tasks.
They understand how their contribution fits into the bigger picture of your work. That sense of purpose is what keeps them coming back and often inspires others to get involved as well.
Professional volunteers respect boundaries and maintain confidentiality. They follow organizational policies consistently.
This quality creates a safe, respectful environment for everyone involved in your programs. Professionalism also means arriving prepared, treating others with kindness, and being a reliable representative of your organization in any setting.
A positive outlook helps volunteers stay solution-focused during busy or difficult times. Their energy can lift the spirits of staff, fellow volunteers, and those they serve. People who volunteer have lower mortality rates than those who do not, underscoring the power of a positive mindset in giving back.
Positivity doesn't mean ignoring problems; it means approaching challenges constructively. Optimistic volunteers help sustain morale and make the experience better for everyone around them.
Ready to strengthen your volunteer program?Book a demo with VolunteerMatters to see how our tools make it easy to find, onboard, and support volunteers with the right qualities.
Culturally sensitive volunteers respect different backgrounds and perspectives. They make everyone feel welcome and valued.
This quality helps your organization better serve diverse communities and create an environment where everyone belongs. It also reduces unintentional harm and helps build long-term trust between your program and the communities you aim to support.
The best volunteers are motivated by a genuine desire to make a difference. This internal drive often leads to greater satisfaction and longer-term commitment.
You can spot this quality in people who ask thoughtful questions about your impact rather than focusing solely on what they'll gain. Their motivation is mission-first, which helps your team stay grounded in what matters most.
Emotionally intelligent volunteers recognize their feelings and those of others. They navigate sensitive situations with care and handle stress appropriately.
This quality is particularly important when working with vulnerable populations or in high-pressure environments. Volunteers with emotional intelligence can de-escalate tense moments and create a calm, reassuring presence for those around them.
Proactive volunteers identify issues early and suggest solutions. They take initiative without overstepping boundaries.
This quality multiplies your team's effectiveness by addressing small problems before they become major obstacles. It’s especially helpful in fast-moving or resource-limited environments where staff capacity is stretched thin.
Resilient volunteers stay calm and focused during challenging situations. They bounce back from setbacks and help others do the same.
This quality is essential for maintaining service quality during busy periods or difficult circumstances. Research indicates that volunteering is linked to improvements in life satisfaction, further underscoring the value of resilient volunteers. These individuals model emotional strength and can help carry your team through tough days or moments.
Patient volunteers create a calming presence for everyone around them. They understand that meaningful change and learning take time.
This quality is particularly valuable when working with children, elderly individuals, or anyone facing significant challenges. Patience allows for empathy, better listening, and stronger relationships, all critical for long-term volunteer success.
Did You Know? Volunteers who possess several of these qualities often become your most effective recruiters, inspiring others through their example and enthusiasm.
Look for these essential qualities of a volunteer during interviews and volunteer onboarding. Consider asking open-ended questions about past experiences or hypothetical scenarios.
References can provide valuable insights into a potential volunteer's character and approach, which complements thorough volunteer background checks. Don't hesitate to contact them.
Observe new volunteers during shadow shifts or trial periods. How they interact with others often reveals more than what they say in interviews.
Use these strategies to spot key qualities in a volunteer:
Many qualities can be nurtured with the right support and environment. Create a culture where growth is encouraged and mistakes are viewed as learning opportunities.
Role modeling has a tremendous impact; when staff and experienced volunteers demonstrate these qualities, others naturally follow their example. Provide regular, constructive feedback that acknowledges strengths while offering specific suggestions for growth.
Consider these development strategies:
No volunteer is perfect, but focusing on these qualities sets the foundation for an effective, mission-driven team. When you recruit and develop volunteers with these traits, you build a culture where everyone feels valued.
The right volunteer management system helps you identify strengths, tailor onboarding, and track development. With proper support and systems, your volunteers will make a greater impact with less administrative burden.
VolunteerMatters helps organizations move toward what we call "Awesomeville," where impact is high, effort is manageable, and every volunteer contributes meaningfully.
Book a demo to see how our platform can help you identify, develop, and retain volunteers with these essential qualities.
Practical tips and expert insights to help your organization recruit, onboard, and retain dedicated volunteers.
Nonprofits have to face a lot of difficulties, but their volunteer program shouldn’t be one of them. Volunteers should be one of the biggest assets every nonprofit organization has, but for many, it’s a consistent struggle and they’re not sure how to fix it.
