Volunteer Management Software?

ewilts asks: "I've been actively looking for volunteer management software but am consistently coming up empty. The vast majority (by far) is Windows desktop based and typically layered on top of a Windows database engine like Access or FileMaker. I'm specifically after something web-based (Linux/Apache) since there is no centralized volunteer office and the volunteers have systems including Windows 95, Macintosh, Linux, and everything in between. So far, eBase seems to be best solution, being open-source but it's Windows-centric, not web-centric. Any pointers to low-cost or free software to help manage a couple of hundred volunteers would be greatly appreciated."

Comments

Why don't you write it?

[HotNeedleOfInquiry]

The whole point of free software is to share and give something back to the community. Why do I get the feeling that so many of these requests are people simply looking for 'free as in beer' solutions?

Re:Why don't you write it?

[RevAaron]

Why do I get the feeling that so many of these requests are people simply looking for 'free as in beer' solutions?

Because for a lot of people, that is the chief benefit of Free/Open Source software. The vast majority of folks do not choose software based mostly on an abstract idea of morality, but on some other factors, depending on the situation. When it's a group with little money, a package which costs no money to use seems pretty logical. For others, a package which provides the most efficient working environment as possible (no matter how Free, Open, or expensive it is) is the most important thing.

The whole point of free software is to share and give something back to the community.

What makes the post's organization not part of the community? Why are they outside of it, not deserving to benefit from the sharing?

I don't know about you, but I largely write my open software because I enjoy a) programming and b) using the end product. I don't do it because I expect someone else to write some software for me down the line in return. Likewise, there are plenty of folks who don't know how to code- or cannot/willnot learn- or simply don't have the time. The rather suboptimal software development systems which are the norm on the available popular platforms today do not encourage people new to programming to take it up to try making a few tweaks or a small script here or there.

What kind of "Free Software" attitude is:
"You say you want a program that does x, y, and z? Write it your self! Sure, a couple such packages exist already, but you gotta pay to play, buddy!"

Maybe Tutos?

[V. Mole]

Since my only knowledge of "Volunteer Management Systems" is what I just read on your eBase link, I won't make any guarantees, but it's possible that TUTOS will be reasonable match. It's a fairly generic CRM system, and while its terminology may not be an exact match for what your people use, it can do most of the stuff that eBase claims. The only thing that I noticed specific about eBase was it's Evaluate the cost-effectiveness of campaigns as you move donors and volunteers up the "ladder of engagement"; if that's simply marketing speak for "match donations to the mailout that provoked them", I suspect a little wrangling with the TUTOS projects, installations, and invoices could provide a similar report. Try asking more specifically about your needs on the TUTOS mailling list.

Of course, TUTOS is just one of the many OS CRM systems, maybe another would be better starting point. Trying googling for "Linux CRM" rather than "Volunteer Management".

VolunteerMatch.org

[pcarroll]

It's free for nonprofits. If you're a corporation, check out the VMC link on the home page.