What are your volunteer hours worth?
Turn volunteer hours into the dollar figure boards, funders and grant applications ask for.
Calculator
Where the rate comes from
Independent Sector publishes the estimated value of a volunteer hour each year, nationally and by state. The figures for 2025, released on April 21, 2026, are $36.14 an hour for the United States and $39.99 for Colorado. Use your own state’s figure if you are elsewhere.
Source: Independent Sector, 2026 Value of Volunteer Time release.
How organizations use it
- Board and annual reports: hours and their dollar value next to giving
- Grant applications that ask for in-kind contributions or matching
- Recognizing volunteers with a number that shows what they give
Counting hours you can stand behind
The value is only as good as the hours. Checked-in hours are more reliable than scheduled ones. Our free volunteer sign-up sheet records check-in and check-out, and a volunteer scheduling app does it automatically.
Questions
Which rate should we use?
Your state’s figure for the most recent year. In Colorado that is $39.99 an hour for 2025.
Can skilled volunteers be valued higher?
Some funders and accounting rules value specialized professional services at the professional’s own rate. Check with your accountant or the funder.
Is this the same as in-kind revenue on our financial statements?
Not necessarily. Accounting rules for recording volunteer time are stricter. Ask your accountant.
Tell us how the work gets done today.
Use the contact form or write to hello@sarasoris.com. The first conversation is free.
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