Volunteers’ Interest in Skill-Based Rewards and in Awards in Nonprofit Organizations: A Study of Volunteer Recognition in France

There has been a growing interest in the literature about the recognition of volunteers as a means to support volunteer retention. Using a contingent approach, this study highlights the variability in the interest of volunteers in two types of recognition: skill-based rewards and awards. French volunteers were surveyed through community-engaged research: 2,679 questionnaire responses were obtained and lead to a profile of volunteers who are interested in different skill-based rewards and awards. The notion of volunteer experience is thus discussed and this calls for personalization and for a deliberative approach to rewards and awards decisions. Practical recommendations aimed at public policymakers (e.g., empowering public policies on volunteer recognition), federations and networks supporting nonprofit organizations (NPOs; e.g., centralizing links with stakeholders implementing rewards and awards), and NPOs themselves to help manage recognition needs (e.g., meeting the needs of younger generations) are also formulated.