Many volunteer leaders operate with limited resources, but what if the biggest barrier to funding isn't the budget itself—it's how we think about and advocate for volunteer engagement? In this session, Kristin Kraemer, CVA, explores how scarcity mindsets can impact budgeting decisions and shares practical strategies for securing the resources volunteers need to thrive.

Participants will learn how to distinguish between essential and optional volunteer program expenses, calculate and communicate volunteer return on investment (ROI), and build compelling cases for increased organizational support. This session will provide actionable tools to strengthen your budget conversations and demonstrate the true value volunteers bring to your mission.

Key Takeaways:

• Identify how scarcity mindset and self-fulfilling prophecies can influence volunteer program funding decisions.
• Understand the essential budget categories every volunteer program should prioritize.
• Learn methods for calculating and communicating volunteer ROI beyond simple dollar values.
• Discover how to connect volunteer contributions to organizational impact, mission outcomes, and strategic goals.
• Gain practical strategies for advocating for additional funding, staffing, technology, and professional development resources.
• Develop a stronger framework for positioning volunteer engagement as a necessary organizational investment rather than a discretionary expense.