The Unexpected Value of Volunteers

Aine Creedon

July 20, 2025

In this provocative series, Jan Masaoka challenges old assumptions about volunteers and offers fresh ideas for leveraging volunteerism as a force for systemic change and community power. Jan Masaoka is the former CEO of the California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofits) and CompassPoint, and the author of Nonprofit HR: Managing Your Employees and Volunteers.

Our Voices Are Our Power.

Journalism, nonprofits, and multiracial democracy are under attack. At NPQ, we fight back by sharing stories and essential insights from nonprofit leaders and workers—and we pay every contributor.

Can you help us protect nonprofit voices?

Your support keeps truth alive when it matters most.
Every single dollar makes a difference.

Donate now

About the author

Aine Creedon

Aine Creedon is Nonprofit Quarterly's Director of Digital Operations and has worn many hats at NPQ since 2011. She has extensive experience with social media, communications and outreach in the nonprofit sector, and spent two years in Americorps programs serving with a handful of nonprofits across the nation as well as a community organization in Dorchester, Boston. Aine currently resides in Denver, Colorado where she enjoys volunteering, seeing live music, and hiking with her pups Frida and Tucker.

More about: