What could you achieve with 150 million volunteer hours? Rosterfy CEO, Bennett Merriman shares his thoughts on the transformative nature of volunteering and the impact within communities.
Volunteers are the backbone of every community—driving nonprofits, supporting vulnerable populations, and enriching society by building a more connected and compassionate world.
They are the glue that holds organisations together, stepping in to fill service gaps, foster social cohesion, strengthen resilience, and inspiring others to give back. Their contribution is felt not only in economic terms but also in the health, culture, and spirit of communities worldwide.
This month, thanks to our incredible customers and their dedicated volunteers, Rosterfy reached an extraordinary milestone: 150 million hours of volunteering through our platform.
At Rosterfy, our mission has always been to connect communities to events and causes they’re passionate about. With volunteer demand at an all-time high and funding for internal resources under pressure, leveraging technology to scale has never been more important. Utilising technology to supplement the workforce and deliver impact is no longer just a ‘nice to have’—it’s a necessity.
That milestone naturally prompts the question: what kind of impact could 150 million hours of volunteering create in your community?
We sat down with some of our customers and asked them to imagine what they could achieve with that level of collective effort. Here’s what they shared:
"With 150 million hours, we could lead 1.8 billion lifesaving overdose prevention kits and response trainings."
END OVERDOSE — Maddie Ward, Director of Volunteer Engagements
"Wouldn't this feel like Christmas! With that amount of volunteer hours we would extend our vibrant community of cancer activists, providing more Australians with a sense of purpose and the opportunity to have a genuine impact on curing cancer and changing lives. This community would enable greater fundraising opportunities so we can do more of what we do best, fund Australia's bravest researchers to find breakthroughs for cancer."
TOUR DE CURE — Jeroen Wortel, Chief Technology Officer
“150 million volunteer hours represents a powerful force for change. It's the kind of collective impact that can transform communities, strengthen programs and bring lasting value to organisations like ours.”
CAMDEN COUNCIL - Stephanie Georgy, Volunteer Programs Coordinator
While the community impact of volunteer effort cannot be understated, beyond the social and cultural benefits, there’s also an enormous economic value attached to this milestone.
Recognising the financial contribution of volunteers is crucial, not only to celebrate their worth but also to ensure the long-term sustainability of volunteer involving organisations.. When organisations understand and communicate their value, it strengthens the case for further investment in people, resources, and technology that support volunteers.
At Rosterfy, we’re proud to empower organisations to measure, celebrate, and amplify the impact of their volunteers. Because behind every hour logged is a story of generosity, community, and hope.
In Australia, volunteer “replacement cost” is typically based on average hourly wages plus approximately 15% employer on-costs (for things like superannuation and administration) Volunteering Australia. A current rate example shows a value of AUD $49.53 per hour VSant.
Recent UK estimates place combined economic and wellbeing value per year per regular volunteer at around £3,400 MeasureUp.
The US pegged the average value of one volunteer hour at US $34.79 in 2024 (up 3.9% from 2023) Independent Sector.
Understanding and communicating this value strengthens the case for continued—and expanded—investment in volunteer programs, technology, and support systems. Organisations that quantify their impact demonstrate transparency, strategic insight, and purpose-driven efficiency.
At Rosterfy, we’re proud to empower organisations to measure, celebrate, and amplify the true value of volunteerism. Because behind every hour logged lies a story of hope, dedication, and meaningful change.
If you'd like to learn more about how to create meaningful impact through your volunteer program, feel free to get in touch.
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Better understand the true value of volunteers with the ability to quantify the ROI of investing in your volunteer management program.
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