The 2025 Volunteer Management Progress Report from VolunteerPro reveals that volunteer recruitment remains the top challenge for organisations worldwide, despite signs of recovery post-pandemic.

While more than half of organisations reported an increase in volunteer numbers, many still struggle to attract and retain individuals for traditional and ongoing roles. Time pressures, mismatched expectations, and lack of internal support were also cited as major hurdles.

Social media continues to dominate recruitment efforts, with Facebook (92%) and word-of-mouth (88%) leading the way. However, many organisations lack the resources or digital strategies needed to fully leverage online tools.

The report highlights a growing need for flexible roles, better onboarding, and stronger organisational support. Volunteer managers, often working alone, called for more investment and recognition to sustain and grow their programmes.

Despite the challenges, the report also showcases creative outreach strategies and a renewed focus on volunteer experience as key drivers of success.

Read the full report here.