Volunteers’ Interest in Skill-Based Rewards and in Awards in Nonprofit Organizations: A Study of Volunteer Recognition in France

Abstract

There has been a growing interest in the literature about the recognition of volunteers as a means to support volunteer retention. Using a contingent approach, this study highlights the variability in the interest of volunteers in two types of recognition: skill-based rewards and awards. French volunteers were surveyed through community-engaged research: 2,679 questionnaire responses were obtained and lead to a profile of volunteers who are interested in different skill-based rewards and awards. The notion of volunteer experience is thus discussed and this calls for personalization and for a deliberative approach to rewards and awards decisions. Practical recommendations aimed at public policymakers (e.g., empowering public policies on volunteer recognition), federations and networks supporting nonprofit organizations (NPOs; e.g., centralizing links with stakeholders implementing rewards and awards), and NPOs themselves to help manage recognition needs (e.g., meeting the needs of younger generations) are also formulated.

Keywords

volunteering reward and award volunteer recognition volunteer effort nonprofit human resources management volunteer skills

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