Better Impact for Nonprofits
The trusted volunteer management platform serving 25,000+ organizations with over 500 million volunteer hours tracked—featuring self-service scheduling, automated communications, built-in eLearning modules, and per-volunteer pricing that scales with your program.
What It Does (The Problem It Solves)
Spending more time on volunteer logistics than actually working with volunteers? Better Impact provides a self-service platform where volunteers manage their own scheduling, training, and hours—freeing your team to focus on relationship-building instead of administrative tasks.
Founded in 2001 and trusted by over 25,000 organizations globally, Better Impact has tracked more than 500 million volunteer hours. The platform handles the entire volunteer lifecycle: from online applications and profile management to scheduling, training via built-in eLearning modules, hour tracking, and one-click reporting for boards and funders.
What sets Better Impact apart is its integrated training system. While most volunteer platforms focus solely on scheduling and hours, Better Impact includes eLearning modules that let you create and deliver volunteer training directly within the platform. Volunteers complete orientation, policy acknowledgments, and role-specific training without needing separate systems.
The platform uses per-volunteer pricing that scales with your program size—starting at just $240/year for up to 50 volunteers. This model makes costs predictable and accessible for small programs while remaining reasonable as you grow.
Best For
Organization Size
- Small to mid-sized nonprofits with 50-1,000 active volunteers
- Organizations needing built-in training for volunteer onboarding
- Programs with compliance requirements requiring training documentation
- International organizations needing multilingual support
Ideal For
- Volunteer Coordinators seeking self-service scheduling and training
- Program Managers tracking outcomes and volunteer impact
- Operations Directors needing reporting for boards and funders
Best Use Cases
- Healthcare and hospitals: Managing volunteers with compliance training and background check requirements
- Universities and colleges: Coordinating student volunteers across multiple departments and programs
- Faith-based organizations: Scheduling ministry volunteers with role-specific training
- Animal shelters: Training and scheduling dog walkers, cat socializers, and event volunteers
- Food banks: Managing daily volunteer shifts with safety training requirements
Key Features for Nonprofits
Self-Service Scheduling
Volunteers browse, sign up, and manage their own shifts
Create a volunteer portal where supporters view available opportunities, sign up for shifts that fit their schedule, and manage their own commitments. The platform offers flexible scheduling options from one-time events to complex recurring shifts. Volunteers can swap shifts, update availability, and track their own hours—reducing coordinator workload significantly.
Built-In eLearning Modules
Create and deliver volunteer training within the platform
Unlike most volunteer platforms, Better Impact includes a learning management system. Build orientation content, policy acknowledgments, role-specific training, and certification courses. Track completion status, set training prerequisites for certain volunteer roles, and maintain documentation for compliance requirements. No need for a separate LMS.
Automated Communications
Email and text reminders without manual outreach
Set up automated shift reminders, follow-up messages, and re-engagement campaigns. Both email and SMS messaging capabilities ensure volunteers receive timely notifications. Text directly from the platform to reach volunteers who may not check email regularly. The system tracks communication history for each volunteer.
Hour Tracking and Attendance
Accurate time logging with multiple check-in options
Volunteers log hours through the My Impact portal or mobile app. Track attendance by shift with check-in/check-out functionality. Generate reports showing total hours, outcomes, and volunteer value for grants and board presentations. The system captures not just time spent but also activities performed and outcomes achieved.
Background Check Integration
Sterling and Verified Volunteers integration for screening
Connect with background check providers including Sterling and Verified Volunteers. Track screening status, set expiration reminders for renewals, and restrict scheduling for roles requiring cleared checks. Particularly valuable for healthcare, youth-serving, and other compliance-sensitive organizations.
One-Click Reporting
Generate reports for boards, funders, and grant applications
Access pre-built reports showing volunteer hours, demographics, training completion, and program participation. Filter by date range, program, volunteer role, or custom criteria. Export data for deeper analysis or grant documentation. Reports that once took hours to compile are available with a single click.
Multilingual Support
English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese interfaces
Serve diverse communities with volunteer portals available in four languages. Particularly valuable for organizations with multilingual volunteer bases or those operating across international borders. Volunteers interact with the platform in their preferred language.
Real-World Nonprofit Use Case
Imagine a regional hospital with 150 active volunteers working across patient transport, gift shop, information desk, and pet therapy programs. Their coordinator was managing training records in spreadsheets, sending manual reminder emails, and spending 10+ hours weekly on administrative tasks.
After implementing Better Impact, volunteers now complete their orientation and role-specific training through the built-in eLearning modules. The platform tracks who completed HIPAA training, infection control protocols, and program-specific certifications. Volunteers can't sign up for patient transport shifts until their background check clears and required training is complete.
Scheduling became self-service. Volunteers log into My Impact, see available shifts across all programs, and sign up for times that work with their schedule. Automated reminders go out 48 hours before each shift via text message. When volunteers arrive, they check in through the mobile app—no paper sign-in sheets at the volunteer desk.
Monthly reporting that once required compiling data from multiple spreadsheets now takes minutes. The coordinator generates volunteer hour summaries for the hospital's annual report, training completion status for Joint Commission compliance, and program-specific metrics for department heads. Those 10 hours per week on administration are now spent on volunteer recognition and relationship-building.
Pricing
Better Impact uses per-volunteer pricing that scales with your program size. Pricing is based primarily on the number of active volunteers.
Per-Volunteer Pricing Model
Scales with your volunteer program
Pricing varies by tier and volunteer count. Many additional tiers available—contact Better Impact for exact pricing for your organization size.
Additional Costs to Consider
Beyond the base subscription
- Training and implementation: One-on-one training during setup incurs additional fees
- Landing pages: Charges may apply based on number of landing pages used
- Data import: If migrating from another system, import services may cost extra
- Annual account reviews: Some packages include fees for account reviews
For 2,500 volunteers, total cost including extras could reach $4,800+ annually.
💰 FREE TRIAL AVAILABLE
Better Impact offers a 30-day free trial so you can test the platform and start setting up before committing.
Note: No publicly listed nonprofit discount—pricing is per-volunteer regardless of organization type.
Note: Pricing information is subject to change. Please verify current pricing directly with Better Impact by requesting a trial or demo.
Learning Curve
Time to First Value
- Account setup: 2-3 hours
- First opportunity posted: 30-60 minutes
- eLearning modules created: 1-2 hours per course
- Full implementation: 2-4 weeks
- Staff proficiency: 2-3 weeks of regular use
Technical Requirements
- Comfort with spreadsheets for data import
- Basic understanding of volunteer scheduling workflows
- Content creation skills for eLearning modules (optional)
- No coding required - web-based interface
Support Available
- Chat-based support: Responsive help available directly within the platform
- Knowledge base: Searchable help articles and documentation
- Training services: One-on-one training available (additional cost)
- SSO support: Single Sign-On available in enterprise tier
⚠️ COMMON PITFALL
Users report a steep initial learning curve, and changing settings can unexpectedly affect other areas of the platform. Take time to understand how different settings interact before making changes. Consider starting with core features (scheduling, hours) before implementing eLearning modules to avoid overwhelm.
Integration & Compatibility
Connects With
Background Check Providers
- Sterling - integrated background screening
- Verified Volunteers - nonprofit-focused screening
Social & Marketing
- Twitter/X
- Meta for Business
Data & API
- Microsoft Excel - data import/export
- Strong API - for custom integrations
Notable Integration Limitations
- No Salesforce integration - unlike VolunteerHub and Galaxy Digital
- No Blackbaud integration - requires manual data sync or custom API work
- Not on Zapier - limits automation options with other tools
Platform Availability
- Web-based: All major browsers
- My Impact portal: Volunteer self-service
- Mobile app: iOS and Android
Security & Compliance
- ISO 27001 certified - global security standard
- ISO 27017 certified - cloud security controls
- SSO available - enterprise tier
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Built-in eLearning: Create and deliver volunteer training without separate LMS
- Per-volunteer pricing: Predictable costs that scale with your program
- 20+ years experience: Proven platform with 500M+ hours tracked
- Enterprise-grade security: ISO 27001/27017 certifications
- Responsive support: Chat-based help praised by users
- Multilingual: English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese
Cons
- No CRM integration: Doesn't connect with Salesforce or Blackbaud directly
- Not on Zapier: Limits automation with other tools in your stack
- Steep learning curve: Users report initial complexity
- Settings interdependencies: Changes can affect other areas unexpectedly
- Additional fees: Training, implementation, landing pages cost extra
- No volunteer calendar view: Users can't see calendar-style shift overview
Alternatives to Consider
If Better Impact doesn't feel like the right fit, here are other volunteer management platforms to consider:
VolunteerHub
Direct Salesforce and Blackbaud integration
Starting at $143/month with direct CRM integrations that Better Impact lacks. If syncing volunteer data with Salesforce or Blackbaud is critical, VolunteerHub is likely your best option. Includes unlimited events and administrators.
Choose VolunteerHub if: You need direct Salesforce or Blackbaud integration.
Galaxy Digital
Enterprise volunteer management with smart matching
Custom pricing for larger organizations. Features smart volunteer matching and multi-location support. Trusted by United Way and Habitat for Humanity. Best for enterprise-scale programs needing advanced matching algorithms.
Choose Galaxy Digital if: You need enterprise features and smart volunteer-to-opportunity matching.
Volgistics
Budget-friendly comprehensive volunteer tracking
Starting at just $9/month with 25+ years serving nonprofits. Comprehensive features at the lowest price point. Interface is more dated but functional. Best for budget-conscious organizations that prioritize value over modern UX.
Choose Volgistics if: You want the most affordable option and don't mind an older interface.
Golden
AI-powered volunteer-to-donor conversion
Free tier available, paid from $25/month. AI features for converting volunteers into donors and automated stewardship. Best if volunteer-to-donor cultivation is a priority and you want modern AI capabilities.
Choose Golden if: You want AI-powered features and volunteer-to-donor conversion focus.
Why you might choose Better Impact instead: Built-in eLearning modules (unique in the market), per-volunteer pricing that works well for smaller programs, ISO 27001/27017 security certifications, and 20+ years of nonprofit experience. If integrated volunteer training is important and you don't need CRM integration, Better Impact offers strong value.
Getting Started
Your first steps with Better Impact:
1Start Your Free Trial (15 minutes)
Visit betterimpact.com and sign up for the 30-day free trial. During signup, you'll configure your organization profile and initial settings. Use this trial period to explore the platform and start building your setup.
2Set Up Your Volunteer Portal (1-2 hours)
Configure your My Impact portal with your organization's branding. Set up volunteer application forms, customize profile fields, and create your first volunteer opportunity. Import your existing volunteer list from spreadsheets.
3Create Your First eLearning Module (1-2 hours)
Build an orientation module for new volunteers. Include your mission overview, policies, and basic role expectations. Start simple—you can add more detailed training later. Set this module as a prerequisite for scheduling.
4Soft Launch with Core Volunteers (1 week)
Invite 10-15 trusted volunteers to test the new system. Have them complete the orientation module, sign up for a shift, and check in using the mobile app. Gather feedback before rolling out to your full volunteer base. Adjust settings based on what you learn.
⚡ QUICK WIN: Your First 24 Hours
Want to see immediate value? Here's a simple experiment:
- Create one volunteer opportunity with 5 available shifts
- Build a simple 5-minute orientation video or quiz
- Invite 10 volunteers via email to complete orientation and sign up
- Track how many complete training and self-schedule without your help
What you'll learn: How much coordinator time you can save when training and scheduling become self-service.
Need Help with Implementation?
Setting up volunteer management software while running a program can feel overwhelming—especially when you're also building training modules and migrating data. If you'd like expert guidance getting started with Better Impact, from platform configuration to eLearning development, we're here to help.
One Hundred Nights offers implementation support, from quick setup assistance to full-service onboarding and training content development.
Contact Us to Learn MoreFrequently Asked Questions
What is Better Impact?
Better Impact is a volunteer management platform trusted by 25,000+ organizations worldwide with over 500 million volunteer hours tracked. Founded in 2001, it offers comprehensive tools for volunteer scheduling, hour tracking, automated communications, and built-in eLearning modules. The platform serves diverse sectors including healthcare, universities, faith-based organizations, and animal welfare nonprofits.
How much does Better Impact cost?
Better Impact uses per-volunteer pricing starting at $240/year for up to 50 volunteers ($20/month equivalent). For 1,000 volunteers, expect around $315/month billed annually. Additional costs include training, implementation, and landing pages. A 30-day free trial is available. There's no publicly listed nonprofit discount—pricing is based on volunteer count regardless of organization type.
Does Better Impact integrate with Salesforce or Blackbaud?
Unlike some competitors, Better Impact does not offer direct Salesforce or Blackbaud integrations. It does have a strong API for custom integrations and connects with background check providers like Sterling and Verified Volunteers. If CRM integration is critical, consider alternatives like VolunteerHub or Galaxy Digital which offer direct CRM connections.
What makes Better Impact different from other platforms?
Better Impact stands out with its built-in eLearning modules for volunteer training, 20+ years of experience, ISO 27001/27017 security certifications, and per-volunteer pricing model that scales with your program. It also offers Member Impact and Client Impact companion products for organizations needing membership or client management alongside volunteering.
Is Better Impact good for small nonprofits?
Yes, Better Impact's pricing model works well for smaller organizations. At $240/year for up to 50 volunteers, it's affordable for small programs. The 30-day free trial lets you test the platform before committing. However, some users note a steep learning curve, so factor in time for setup and training.
What languages does Better Impact support?
Better Impact supports English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese, making it suitable for organizations serving multilingual communities or operating internationally. Volunteer portals are accessible via any device with a web browser.
Related Resources
Learn how to evaluate, implement, and maximize AI tools across your organization—from volunteer management to fundraising and communications.
Compare Better Impact with VolunteerHub—a platform offering direct Salesforce and Blackbaud integrations for organizations needing CRM connectivity.