Volunteer Quotes: Inspirational Messages to Show Appreciation

Welcome to our special selection of volunteer quotes. Here, you'll find a mix of heartfelt gratitude, gentle humor, and insightful sayings that do more than just uplift—they're practical tools for anyone leading volunteers. Recent studies highlight how the right words can make a real difference, boosting volunteer engagement and helping them feel connected to your mission.

As you browse through these quotes, each one has been chosen to spark both action and reflection. They're not just words; they're reminders of the invaluable role volunteers play and the remarkable impact of selfless service. These quotes are key to building strong, lasting relationships - the heart of a vibrant and dedicated volunteer community.

Maximizing Volunteer Engagement: How and Why to Use Volunteer Quotes

Volunteer quotes have a special way of sparking engagement and commitment. When we weave these inspirational, humorous, or heartfelt quotes into our communications—be it newsletters, social media, or recruitment drives—we see a real uplift in team spirit and dedication. These quotes do more than fill space; they capture the heart of volunteering, making our messages resonate more deeply with our audience.

Whether it's a striking image with a motivational quote or a carefully chosen line that speaks to our mission, these words have the power to connect people more closely with our cause. They're not just sayings; they're reflections of what we stand for, making our outreach efforts more meaningful and impactful.

For volunteer coordinators and directors in any sector, be it corporate, educational, healthcare, or nonprofit, understanding how to use these quotes effectively is key. They're not just words; they're tools that align with our goals and strengthen the bond between volunteers and our organization, boosting satisfaction and keeping them engaged longer.

Celebrating Service with Quotes About Volunteers for Appreciation and Recognition

Incorporating quotes into volunteer appreciation messages and events adds a heartfelt touch, reinforcing the value of the contributions made by volunteers. Thank your volunteers and recognize their impact with these volunteer appreciation quotes:

“Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless, but because they’re priceless.” —Sherry Anderson

“No one is more cherished in this world than someone who lightens the burden of another.  Thank you.”  —Author Unknown

“No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks.”  —James Allen

“Volunteers are love in motion!”  —Author Unknown

“One can pay back the loan of gold, but one dies forever in debt to those who are kind.” —Malayan Proverb

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” —Aesop

“Gratitude is the memory of the heart.”  —Jean Baptiste Massieu

"We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” —Mother Teresa

“Unselfish and noble actions are the most radiant pages in the biography of souls.” —David Thomas

Light-Hearted Volunteer Funny Quotes on Volunteering

Why not add some original funny volunteer quotes to your appreciation letters, volunteer training manuals, and more? With other volunteers who understand the nuances of volunteering, you can exchange humorous volunteer stories. 

Incorporate some humor into your company's social media profiles or emails with these funny volunteering quotes:

"If you can't make it funny, make it interesting." – Shane Koyczan

"There are three kinds of people: Those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who say, 'what happened?'" – Casey Stengel 

"Every society honors its live conformists and its dead troublemakers." – Mignon

"I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose." – Woody Allen

"I always wondered why somebody didn't do something about that. Then I realized I was somebody." – Lily Tomlin

"Laughter is the sensation of feeling good all over and showing it principally in one place." – Josh Billings

Empowerment Through Words in Volunteer Inspirational Quotes

Even the most dedicated volunteers occasionally struggle with inspiration and drive. Your ability to uplift, engage, and inspire your volunteers will keep them engaged and help them improve in their roles. 

With the help of these volunteer motivation quotes, you may inspire your supporters and increase volunteer recruiting efforts:

"If you can't feed a hundred people, then just feed one." – Mother Teresa

"Volunteers are not paid - not because they are worthless, but because they are priceless." – Shirley Temple Black

"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." – Gandhi

"Volunteering is at the very core of being a human. No one has made it through life without someone else's help." – Heather French Henry

"Volunteerism is the voice of the people put into action. These actions shape and mold the present into a future of which we can all be proud." – Helen Dyer

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." – Margaret Mead

"We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give." – Winston Churchill

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." – Helen Keller

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." – Leo Buscaglia

Voices of Influence with Famous Quotes on Volunteering

Quotes from famous people on volunteering can boost volunteer program development. Incorporate some of them into your page and be sure to see a difference in your volunteer engagement. 

We put together a collection of famous quotes on volunteering from notable historical figures and statements:

"The best way to not feel hopeless is to get up and do something. Don't wait for good things to happen to you. If you go out and make some good things happen, you will fill the world with hope, you will fill yourself with hope." – Barack Obama

"Volunteering is an act of heroism on a grand scale. And it matters profoundly. It does more than help people beat the odds; it changes the odds." – William J. Clinton

"Every person can make a difference, and every person should try." – President John F. Kennedy

"No one has ever become poor by giving." – Anne Frank

"The simplest acts of kindness are by far more powerful than a thousand heads bowing in prayer." – Mahatma Gandhi

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?" – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

"Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth." – Muhammad Ali

"Spread your love everywhere you go." – Mother Teresa

"As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands — one for helping yourself, the other for helping others." – Audrey Hepburn

The Impact of Giving in Quotes About the Power of Volunteering

If you still need a bit of extra inspiration to make volunteering a priority, show how volunteers make the world a better place with these quotes about volunteering:

"Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in." – Unknown

"Volunteering is an act of supreme optimism that things can be better and that we can make them better." – John Bridgeland

"Volunteers don't necessarily have the time; they just have the heart." – Elizabeth Andrew

"Give your hands to serve and your hearts to love." – Mother Teresa

"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." – Mahatma Gandhi

Expressing Gratitude with Thank You Volunteer Quotes

Have you ever wanted to express your volunteer appreciation? 

Here are some perfect volunteer appreciation quotes to do just that! A simple "thank you" is always appreciated, but how about saying something that speaks to the heart and encourages them to keep up the good work?

"Those humble, quiet, behind-the-scenes people are the reason anything ever gets done." ~Terri Guillemets

"No one has ever become poor by giving." – Anne Frank

"The very best way to help yourself and your community is by becoming an active volunteer." – Patrick Lencioni

Volunteer Quotes Images

Use these quotation images on your website, social media, or in the next email you send to volunteers.

Keep your supporters inspired and interested in your cause by incorporating motivational volunteer quotes into your organization's messaging. Choose a volunteer quote for your aim and audience when you reach out to your community!

Using Volunteer Quotes for Specific Contexts

Choosing quotes is crucial to aligning them with your organization's mission and values. A quote should resonate with your volunteers' experiences and the nature of your work to be appropriate. If using quotes from well-known figures, ensure they reflect your organization's ethos and goals.

Choose quotes carefully to infuse volunteer appreciation messages, social media posts, and e-newsletters with inspiration and engagement. Adding quotes to recruitment messages adds depth and sincerity. It's about picking the right quote for the right context—a humorous remark for social media or an inspiring phrase for a newsletter. This careful selection positively influences volunteer involvement and retention.

In Volunteer Appreciation Messages:

Volunteer appreciation messages hold a special place in our hearts. They wrap volunteers in warmth and gratitude, acknowledging their selfless contributions.

Here are some heartfelt quotes about volunteerism that truly capture the spirit of giving. These words express thanks and inspire and uplift those who dedicate their time and energy to the causes they believe in.

“The heart of a volunteer is not measured in size, but by the depth of the commitment to make a difference in the lives of others.” – DeAnn Hollis

“What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.” – Albert Pike

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” – William James

“I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back.” – Maya Angelou

On Social Media:

Social media is a fantastic platform for sharing quotes about volunteerism offering motivation and connection to volunteers worldwide.

Here are some examples of inspiring quotes from notable figures, perfect for social media sharing:

“The fragrance always stays in the hand that gives the rose.” – Hada Bejar

“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth” – Muhammad Ali

“You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give." – Winston Churchill

“To serve is beautiful, but only if it is done with joy and a whole heart and a free mind" – Pearl S. Buck

In E-Newsletters:

E-newsletters, thriving in this era of social media and technology, offer a unique avenue for sharing volunteering quotes. These inspirational quotes for volunteers can uplift and motivate, making each newsletter a source of encouragement.

Here are some compelling volunteer quotes from influential figures:

"The best way to cheer yourself is to try to cheer someone else up." – Mark Twain

"I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples." – Mother Teresa

"You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you." – John Bunyan

"A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees." – Amelia Earhart

Categorizing Quotes by Organizational Type and Intent

Organize volunteer quotes by organizational type and intent to ensure resonance with specific audiences. Selecting quotes that reflect unique missions and values is crucial for schools, healthcare, religious organizations, and community groups. 

This approach is beneficial for inspiring, encouraging, or celebrating volunteers. Categorizing quotes based on purpose enables volunteer managers to select sayings that directly appeal to the hearts and minds of volunteers.

For Educational Organizations:

Educational organizations thrive with the support of volunteers who bring enthusiasm, knowledge, and a passion for learning. These volunteers, whether assisting in classrooms, organizing events, or contributing to administrative tasks, play a crucial role in enriching educational experiences.

To honor their contributions, here are good examples motivational and relatable volunteer quotes perfectly suited for educational contexts:

"The essence of life is to serve others and do good." – Aristotle

"A good teacher is like a candle – it consumes itself to light the way for others." – Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

"In learning you will teach, and in teaching, you will learn." – Phil Collins

For Healthcare Organizations:

Healthcare organizations, especially during the pandemic, have relied heavily on the compassion and dedication of volunteers. These selfless individuals have provided care and support in challenging times.

Here are some quotes that reflect the spirit of volunteerism in healthcare:

"Caring has the gift of making the ordinary special." – George R. Bach

"To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honors." – Tia Walker

"Wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is also a love of humanity." – Hippocrates

"The simple act of caring is heroic." – Edward Albert

For Religious and Community Groups:

Religious and community groups often embody the spirit of service and compassion. Their volunteers play an important role in fostering a sense of unity and support within the community.

Here are great examples of quotes that resonate with the values of spiritual and community service:

"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God." – Hebrews 13:16

"Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world." – Howard Zinn

"We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men." – Herman Melville

"The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away." – Pablo Picasso

Implementing Volunteer Quotes in Communication Strategies

Effectively implementing volunteer quotes in communication strategies requires careful selection and integration. Volunteer managers should choose quotes that align with their organization’s mission and resonate with their audience. 

These quotes can be used in various communication channels, including websites, messaging apps, training materials, volunteer handbooks, and more. They serve not just to motivate volunteers but also to convey the organization's ethos and dedication to its community.

On Websites:

Websites are powerful tools for organizations to showcase their mission and values. Featuring inspiring volunteer quotes on volunteer pages can significantly boost engagement and motivation.

Here are impactful quotes from notable individuals, perfect for inclusion on volunteer web pages:

“Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'" – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

"The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention." – Oscar Wilde

In Messaging Apps and Emails:

Using a volunteer quote in your email signature or messaging app status can be a subtle yet powerful way to inspire others. It's a small gesture that can leave a lasting impact on everyone you communicate with.

Here are unique quotes that are perfect for this purpose:

"Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see." – Mark Twain

"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give." – Winston Churchill

In Training Materials and Handbooks:

Integrating motivational volunteer quotes in training materials and handbooks sets an enthusiastic and inspiring tone for volunteers. These quotes can serve as powerful reminders of the impact and importance of their contributions.

Here are five unique quotes to energize and motivate volunteers:

"The miracle is this: the more we share, the more we have." – Leonard Nimoy

"You have never really lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you." – John Bunyan

"The time is always right to do what is right." – Martin Luther King Jr.

Capturing the Essence: The Transformative Power of Volunteer Quotes

Volunteer motivation quotes can be a game-changer in how we engage and motivate our volunteers. They're not just words; they're powerful tools that resonate with humor, inspiration, and gratitude. Whether you use them in social media posts, e-newsletters, training sessions, or appreciation events, they fit perfectly and bring your message to life.

As volunteer leaders, these quotes help us inspire, celebrate, and encourage our teams, staying true to our organization's mission and values. Looking to enhance your volunteer appreciation efforts? Grab our Volunteer Appreciation Toolkit and subscribe to Volunteer Management Insider for practical tips on using quotes to boost your program's impact.