The importance of measuring economic, social and personal benefits of volunteering

Purpose: This study aims to broaden the understanding of volunteering by exploring its wider economic, social, and personal impact beyond individual altruism. It aims to promote the recognition of volunteering as an important contributor to community well-being, social cohesion, democracy, social change, and personal development. Methodology: The research draws on existing literature on volunteering, service-learning, and civic engagement, and presents original research based on a sample of 489 students from Croatian business schools. It discusses various methods of measuring the impact of volunteering and provides an overview of the current state of volunteering in Croatia. Results: The research shows that different measurement methods reveal the diverse impact of volunteering on individuals and organizations, highlighting the need for comprehensive data and frameworks. Traditional techniques provide a foundation, but the integration of advanced methods–such as stakeholder engagement, personal development, and social reporting standards–provides a holistic perspective on thecontribution of volunteers. These methods improve evaluation, promote transparent communication, and acknowledge the economic, social and personal benefits of volunteering, leading to effective volunteer programs and stronger policy support in Croatia. Conclusion: The study highlights the importance of improving the recognition of volunteering as an important contributor to community well-being, social cohesion, democracy, social change, and personal development. By highlighting the multiple benefits of volunteering, this study is of relevance to scholars specializing in volunteering, service-learning, and civic engagement, practitioners seeking to improvevolunteer programs, and policymakers considering institutional support for volunteers and civil society organizations (CSOs).