Volunteer management platform Rosterfy has launched its 2026 State of Volunteer Management Survey, inviting organisations across the UK and Ireland to share insights on the opportunities and challenges facing the sector.
The annual survey, which is open until May 15, aims to build a clearer picture of how volunteer programmes are evolving at a time when charities, sporting organisations, community groups and events are facing increased pressure on resources while trying to meet growing demand for services.
This year’s research will focus on issues including volunteer recruitment and retention, burnout among volunteer managers, investment in technology and infrastructure, and the changing expectations of volunteers in a more digital-first environment.
The survey is an opportunity for volunteer managers and organisations to benchmark their programmes against wider sector trends while helping to shape future investment and policy discussions around volunteering.
Insights gathered through the survey will be published later this summer in Rosterfy’s 2026 State of Volunteer Management Report.
Each participating organisation will receive a full copy of its findings and an opportunity to join a Sport for Business event in partnership with Rosterfy in Dublin on Wednesday, September 9th.
The volunteering landscape has shifted significantly in recent years, with organisations increasingly navigating micro-volunteering, hybrid and virtual engagement, and rising expectations around flexibility and communication.
Rosterfy, a full member of the Sport for Business community in Ireland, also highlighted concerns about what it describes as a “resilience gap” in volunteer management, where organisations are being asked to deliver more services without the equivalent investment in volunteer infrastructure or staffing support.
It added that many organisations continue to rely on manual systems or outdated processes, creating administrative bottlenecks that reduce the time available for volunteer engagement and relationship building.
The survey will examine how organisations are adapting to the expectations of younger volunteers, with research indicating a growing demand for flexible, digitally enabled volunteering opportunities.
Previous reports and wider sector research have highlighted the increasing recognition of the strategic importance of volunteers, while also pointing to the growing pressures faced by volunteer managers and coordinators.
The findings this year are expected to provide data on trends across recruitment, volunteer experience, digital transformation, leadership support, and operational challenges within volunteer-led organisations.
Rosterfy works with charities, sporting bodies, government agencies, and major international events, providing volunteer management technology designed to support recruitment, onboarding, scheduling, communication, and reporting.
It is the engine behind the volunteering programme for the Special Olympics Ireland Games taking place this June 18th to 20th.
The survey comes at a time when volunteering continues to play a critical role across sport, culture, charity and community sectors, with organisations increasingly focused on improving volunteer experiences and long-term retention.
Rosterfy and Special Olympics Ireland are full members of Sport for Business.
If you would like to be part of the Sport for Business community and see your organisation in our content, on our stages, and in the conversation happening every day around the commercial world of Irish Sport, email us today and let’s see what is possible.
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