VolunteerLocal review: volunteer scheduling, database, email and SMS tools. Program plans start at $600/yr; event plans start at $200 per event.
Researched and fact-checked by Bartu Cavusoglu · Updated October 26, 2026
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VolunteerLocal is a web-based volunteer management platform for organizations that recruit, schedule, communicate with and track volunteers. The company describes it as a simple, effective platform built around four areas: a flexible database, communication tools, scheduling and reporting.
It supports two kinds of work. Ongoing programs have repeating needs, such as daily, weekly or monthly shifts. Events are single occasions, such as a race, festival or fundraiser. The company says thousands of organizations use the platform.
Administrators set up a database and registration forms, then create jobs and shifts for a program or event. Volunteers sign up through a landing page customized for the organization, with no password required. The organization can also show opportunities on its own website with a calendar widget.
From there, email and SMS tools handle messaging. Messages can be personalized with smart tags, filtered by audience and tracked with delivery statistics. Automated messages start when volunteers take actions, such as submitting a form or signing up, and administrators receive notifications for signups, cancellations and profile edits.
The database stores searchable volunteer records, lets volunteers update their own details and exports data on demand. Registration forms, electronic waivers, applicant vetting with Status and Qualifications fields, and background screens that return results inside the platform support onboarding of new volunteers. Data import helps organizations moving from other systems.
Scheduling covers jobs and shifts, group volunteering and a volunteer mobile app. Reporting covers hours, attendance and check-in methods, with configurable reports and custom reports offered by the company. User access controls let administrators add or deactivate users and set granular permissions.
VolunteerLocal is a web-based volunteer management platform. It combines a volunteer database, shift scheduling, email and SMS communication, and tracking and reporting. It serves both ongoing programs and single events.
For ongoing programs, plans cost $600 per year (Discover) and $2,400 per year (Grow), and Enterprise pricing is custom. For single events, plans cost $200, $800 and $3,000 per event. Fees are in US dollars.
The pricing page says you can try it without any financial commitment and that no credit card is requested until you upgrade to a paid account. It does not describe a time limit.
It suits nonprofits, event organizers, schools, faith-based groups, city programs and similar organizations that schedule volunteers. It covers both recurring programs and one-time events such as races and festivals.
It supports integrations with four CRMs: Salesforce, LGL (Little Green Light), DonorPerfect and NeonCRM. The company says to reach out if your CRM is not listed.
Yes. All plans include onboarding and unlimited support by email, video and phone. Onboarding sessions include a dedicated point of contact, a platform tour, database and form setup, contact import and creation of your first jobs and shifts.
Yes. A mobile app for volunteers is listed on the plan table, and administrators can be notified when a volunteer sends a message through it. Volunteers can also sign up without a password.
Yes. It supports email and SMS. SMS allowances per year in the US and Canada are 10,000 on Discover, 50,000 on Grow and 100,000 on Enterprise.