Changing the focus on volunteering: an investigation of volunteers’ multiple contributions to a charitable organization

Abstract

Despite the fact that over half of the people in the US volunteer each year, there is little theoretical or empirical understanding of volunteer performance. In response, this study examined executive-level volunteers’ multiple contributions of personal resources to a national health care advocacy organization. We expected higher contributions when demands from volunteer roles do not exceed desired levels of contribution, interaction with other volunteers is higher, role investments are higher, and motives to join are consistent with organization’s mission. Regression analyses supported the relation of contributions to social interaction, role investments, and volunteer motives. Suggestions for enhancing the level of volunteer contributions to the organization are made.