Understanding volunteer motivation: a systematic review of theoretical frameworks and a categorization of motivations

Understanding volunteer motivation is important for sustainable development of nonprofit organizations. This review analyzed 26 peer-reviewed empirical articles (2010–2025) from six academic databases across three dimensions: theoretical frameworks, methodological features, and motivational types. Findings reveal that the Functional Approach and Self-Determination Theory remain the dominant theoretical anchors. However, most studies have moved beyond direct application toward contextual adaptation, theoretical integration, and new scale development. Methodologically, the included studies heavily rely on cross-sectional quantitative designs, with longitudinal and dynamic approaches largely absent. Based on a qualitative analysis of volunteer motivation extracted from the 26 included studies, we propose a five-dimensional framework comprising Returns, Self-regulation, Social Connection, Self-cultivation, and Value Expression. These five motivational categories organize volunteer motivations into distinct types along an instrumental-emotional-relational-developmental-meaningful spectrum, ranging from externally anchored returns to internally integrated value expression. Implications and limitations were discussed.