Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Time: 9:00 am to 10:00 am
The Hidden Cost of ‘Free’ Volunteers—and How to Leverage It
Presented by:
Brooke Campbell, CNP, CVA
Director of Community Outreach and Disaster Recovery
United Way of Greater Houston
Volunteers are often seen as a “free” resource, but anyone who manages a volunteer program knows that’s far from the full story. Behind every successful volunteer initiative lies a range of hidden investments: staff time for recruitment and supervision, consultants, training materials, workspace, technology platforms, insurance, and more. These costs often go unrecognized, underfunded, or absorbed by already-stretched nonprofit teams.
In this eye-opening workshop, we’ll break down the true cost of volunteer engagement and show you how to quantify the financial and operational resources your program really requires. You’ll learn to apply a cost calculation formula that translates hidden inputs into clear numbers, giving you a powerful tool to advocate for adequate funding, justify budget lines, and communicate your program’s value to internal and external stakeholders.
Whether you’re a volunteer manager, program coordinator, or development professional, you’ll leave with:
- A practical cost-calculation worksheet you can adapt for your own program
- Real-world examples to guide your estimates
- Strategies to build a stronger case for investment in volunteer infrastructure
- Renewed confidence to shift the narrative around volunteerism from “free help” to “strategic resource”
Let’s stop hiding the cost and start showing the value.
Brooke Campbell, CNP, CVA, brings a wealth of experience in volunteer engagement, disaster recovery, and instructional design. An AmeriCorps NCCC alum, Brooke has spent her career fostering intentional service learning and strengthening nonprofit programs. She previously led Volunteer Houston, managing a volunteer recruitment platform, a corporate engagement program, disaster volunteer coordination at the system level, and facilitating the Volunteer Engagement Training Program for nonprofit professionals. Brooke has designed a state AmeriCorps program and VISTA workplans, authored and advised national training courses. She currently serves on the Citizens’ Environmental Coalition Board of Directors. Brooke is deeply committed to strengthening volunteer engagement and offers insights and services as a passion project at www.volunteerstrategies.com.
