206. Essential Volunteer Software - The Tech Stack You Can’t Afford to Skip Artwork

Volunteer Nation

Nonprofit leadership author, coach, and expert Tobi Johnson shares weekly tips to help charities build, grow, and scale exceptional volunteer teams. Discover how your nonprofit can effectively coordinate volunteers who are reliable, equipped, and ready to help you bring about BIG change for the better. Rather than continuing to “do more with less,” achieve abundance for your organization by engaging community talent that helps you do more with more. Society is evolving and so, too, is volunteerism. With over 25 years of experience working in nonprofits, public sector agencies, and grassroots campaigns Tobi is known for her modern “big hat” thinking and straight talk about what it takes to achieve success in today’s world. You will learn how to coordinate volunteers, improve the volunteer experience, recruit volunteers, appreciate volunteers, and do it all more efficiently with the right volunteer management software and digital tools. It’s a mix of interviews and solo shows you’re not going to want to miss. So, if you’re ready to ditch the stress and harness the power of people to fuel your good work, you’re in exactly the right place. Hit subscribe and let’s DO this!

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Volunteer Nation

206. Essential Volunteer Software - The Tech Stack You Can’t Afford to Skip

March 19, 2026 • Tobi Johnson, MA, CVA

0:00 | 45:43

Volunteer managers often rely on a mix of spreadsheets, emails, and manual processes to keep programs running. But as volunteer programs grow, those systems can quickly become overwhelming and difficult to manage.

In this episode, Tobi Johnson explores the role technology plays in helping volunteer leaders work more efficiently and strategically. She breaks down the concept of a “tech stack” and explains how the right combination of tools can reduce administrative workload and create more time for relationship-building and program development.

Rather than recommending specific platforms, Tobi focuses on the core functions volunteer software should support, including recruitment, onboarding, scheduling, communication, and impact tracking. She also discusses how organizations can evaluate which tools are truly necessary and avoid adding software that creates more complexity than value.

If you are wondering whether your current systems are helping or slowing you down, this episode offers practical guidance on choosing technology that strengthens your volunteer strategy and supports the long-term growth of your program.

Full show notes: 206. Essential Volunteer Software - The Tech Stack You Can’t Afford to Skip

Volunteer Software - Episode Highlights

[00:26] - Why Software Matters
[06:03] - Core Volunteer Functions
[08:26] - Stack Evolves Over Time
[09:47] - Website Is Essential
[15:34] - Communication Automation
[17:48] - Training and Compliance
[19:06] - Recognition and Retention
[27:35] - Newsletter Break
[29:56] - Cost Benefit Framework
[37:26] - Integration and UX Tips
[41:28] - Red Flags and Support
[43:03] - Final Takeaways and Wrap

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Thanks for listening to this episode of the Volunteer Nation podcast. If you enjoyed it, please be sure to subscribe, rate, and review so we can reach more people like you who want to improve the impact of their good cause.

For more tips and notes from the show, check us out at TobiJohnson.com. For any comments or questions, email us at WeCare@VolPro.net.

Tobi Johnson, MA, CVA

Host