Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement

What Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement does

The Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement (AL!VE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional association (EIN: 26-2600409) founded in 2009 and headquartered at 965 Loucks Road #1021, York, Pennsylvania. It serves volunteer engagement professionals across nonprofit, government, and corporate sectors in the United States, connecting over 1,000 members from more than 550 organizations across 450 cities and linking 50+ local associations through a federated network. Its mission centers on professional development, peer connection, advocacy for occupational recognition, and credentialing support for the volunteer engagement field.

AL!VE's core offerings are organized around three membership tiers (Individual at $75/year with a Pay What You Can option, Organization at $125/year including two seats with $60 add-ons, and Local Association), complemented by signature programs: AL!VE Academy webinars (75+ archived sessions), the Emerging Leaders Mentor Program, the CVA Study Group for Certified Volunteer Administrator credential preparation, the Presenter Bootcamp, and Communities of Practice. Two flagship events anchor the year — the annual National Summit on Volunteer Engagement (300 attendees, 96.5% satisfaction) and the AL!VE Hybrid Conference. The organization also houses the Impact Awards (sponsored by Better Impact), Service Enterprise accreditation (with Points of Light), Career Pathways research, the IJOVA peer-reviewed journal (with NC State University), and the AL!VE Supporter Store on Bonfire.

The technology stack is entirely third-party: MemberLeap for membership management, Better Impact for volunteer program operations, Stripe and PayPal for payment processing, Zoom and Microsoft Teams for virtual events, and Bonfire for e-commerce. AL!VE has no proprietary technology platform and no AI/ML capabilities. Revenue is diversified across membership dues, event registration, multi-tier event sponsorships (Bronze $2,500 to Platinum $15,000), tax-deductible donations, and merchandise, with no venture capital or institutional investment indicated.

Name

Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement

Legal name

Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement

Website

https://volunteeralive.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AL!VE is a 501(c)(3) national professional association for volunteer engagement leaders, serving over 1,000 members across 550+ U.S. organizations via membership tiers, training programs, certifications, and flagship annual events.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Membership

NAICS

Professional Organizations (813920), Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies) (THAHACAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Training, Enablement & Talent Development Summits (THAHAMAH)

Keywords

• Volunteer engagement
• Professional association
• Membership services
• Nonprofit networking
• Volunteer management

Headquarters

HQ city

San Francisco

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees provide the primary revenue stream. Individual memberships are priced at $75/year with a 'Pay What You Can' option, while organization memberships are $125/year including two full memberships with additional memberships at $60 each.
2. Event Registration: Revenue from the annual National Summit on Volunteer Engagement, with registration fees of $330-$425 for members and $430-$675 for non-members. Additional events include the Hybrid Conference and various workshops.
3. Event Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors support AL!VE events at various levels (Platinum $12,500-$15,000, Gold $7,500-$10,000, Silver $4,000-$7,500, Bronze $2,500-$5,000) with benefits including logo placement, webinar sponsorship, and newsletter mentions.
4. Donations: Tax-deductible donations as a 501(c)(3) organization (EIN: 26-2600409) support AL!VE programs and initiatives. The organization runs annual Giving Tuesday campaigns with a goal of $2,000.
5. Merchandise Sales: The AL!VE Supporter Store on Bonfire sells branded merchandise including apparel. Over 25% of each purchase is donated directly to AL!VE.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

AL!VE (Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional association offering paid individual, organization, and local association memberships that grant access to professional development programs, monthly webinars, mentorship, certification study groups, peer networking via Communities of Practice, recognition through the Impact Awards, and signature events such as the annual National Summit on Volunteer Engagement and Hybrid Conference. The association serves volunteer engagement professionals across nonprofit, government, education, and corporate sectors in the United States.

Product overview

AL!VE (Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement) operates as a membership-based professional association offering a unified platform of programs, resources, and events. The core offering centers on Individual, Organization, and Local Association membership tiers providing access to professional development (AL!VE Academy webinars, CVA Study Group, Presenter Bootcamp), peer networking (Communities of Practice, Industry Socials), recognition (Impact Awards), and mentorship (Emerging Leaders Mentor Program). Major signature events include the annual Hybrid Conference and National Summit on Volunteer Engagement. Additional offerings include Service Enterprise accreditation, Career Pathways research, Professional Standards resources, CARE equity resources, the IJOVA peer-reviewed journal, and the Local Associations Directory. Revenue-generating activities include membership dues, event registrations, donations, and the AL!VE Supporter Store (e-commerce on Bonfire). The organization integrates with Better Impact for volunteer management, Stripe/PayPal for payment processing, Zoom and Microsoft Teams for virtual events, and Bonfire for merchandise sales.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AL!VE Individual Membership Annual individual membership priced at $75 per year (with a Pay What You Can option for equity) providing full member benefits and voting rights, including access to AL!VE Academy webinars, CVA Study Group, Mentor Program, Presenter Bootcamp, Communities of Practice, the resource vault, event discounts, and the monthly newsletter. Designed for individual volunteer engagement professionals across nonprofit, public, and corporate sectors.
• AL!VE Organization Membership Annual organization membership priced at $125 per year including two full memberships, with additional memberships available for $60 each. Provides all member benefits and voting rights for each included member, targeted at organizations employing multiple volunteer engagement professionals.
• AL!VE Local Association Membership Membership tier for local and regional associations supporting volunteer engagement leaders, providing full benefits, voting rights, quarterly connections, the annual Local Association Symposium, and peer-to-peer leadership sessions.
• National Summit on Volunteer Engagement Annual three-day in-person conference offering keynote presentations, practical workshops, and collaborative discussions for volunteer engagement professionals. Early bird member registration starts at $330 with non-member rates up to $675, and includes full summit access, meals, networking events, and CE credits.
• AL!VE Hybrid Conference Annual hybrid conference combining in-person and virtual attendance options, featuring education sessions, networking, professional development, and the presentation of the Impact Awards during the event.
• Impact Awards Annual awards program sponsored by Better Impact recognizing exceptional contributions from volunteer engagement professionals in two categories: Emerging Leaders (3-7 years experience) and Exemplary Leaders (7+ years experience), with cash prizes for professional development, certificates, and peer recognition.
• AL!VE Supporter Store Bonfire-hosted merchandise store selling branded AL!VE apparel and accessories, with over 25% of each purchase donated directly back to support AL!VE programs.
• Donation Program Tax-deductible donation program supporting AL!VE's mission, accepting online donations via Stripe and PayPal, checks by mail, and recurring gifts, plus annual Giving Tuesday campaigns. AL!VE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN: 26-2600409).
• Event Sponsorship Packages Tiered event sponsorship packages (Bronze $2,500, Silver $4,000, Gold $7,500, Platinum $15,000) for the National Summit and Hybrid Conference, including logo placement, webinar sponsorship, and newsletter mentions.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96.5% of National Summit attendees reported the event met or exceeded their expectations
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Better ImpactcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBetter Impact is AL!VE's program sponsor and provides the industry's leading volunteer management software. The partnership includes the Impact Awards sponsorship, and Better Impact provides software for AL!VE's own volunteer program management. Better Impact also sponsors AL!VE's Hybrid Conference.
• Points of LightcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAL!VE partners with Points of Light to power the Service Enterprise accreditation program, the national designation for organizations that strategically leverage volunteers. AL!VE actively participated in advocacy efforts and presented at Points of Light conferences.
• GivePulseflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum sponsor of the 2026 National Summit on Volunteer Engagement. GivePulse is a technology platform serving the volunteer engagement field.
• SJE FoundationcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver sponsor of the 2026 National Summit on Volunteer Engagement.
• RosterfycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSilver sponsor of the 2026 National Summit on Volunteer Engagement.
• CERVISminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBronze sponsor and exhibitor at the 2026 National Summit on Volunteer Engagement.
• VolunteerominorGTM or Marketing PartnerCopper sponsor of the 2026 National Summit on Volunteer Engagement. Hosted the networking mixer event.
• GoldenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCopper sponsor of the 2026 National Summit on Volunteer Engagement.
• Independent SectorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting sponsor of the 2026 National Summit on Volunteer Engagement.
• Vome VolunteerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting sponsor of the 2026 National Summit on Volunteer Engagement.
• North Carolina State University (IJOVA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAL!VE partners with NC State University's Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences to host the International Journal of Volunteer Administration (IJOVA), ensuring broad access to research and applied knowledge that advances the profession.
• Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration (CCVA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCVA offers the Certified Volunteer Administrator (CVA) credential. AL!VE supports members through CVA Study Groups and exam preparation resources. AL!VE advocates for recognition of the CVA credential in its Department of Labor occupational code advocacy efforts.
• DOVIA SacramentocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal host partner for the 2026 National Summit on Volunteer Engagement in Sacramento, California. DOVIA Sacramento helped plan the summit experience.
• Susan J. Ellis FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner presenting 'The Future of Volunteer Engagement Leadership' session at the 2026 National Summit.
• Delta Air LinesminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvides discounted flights for AL!VE National Summit attendees using meeting event code NY49W.
• Marriott (Sacramento Marriott Rancho Cordova)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial conference hotel with discounted room rates for AL!VE National Summit attendees. Bookings through Passkey with deadline for discounted rates.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Better Impact: Better Impact is AL!VE's core sponsor and the leading volunteer management software vendor serving the same professionals AL!VE represents. It hosts AL!VE's own volunteer operations and underwrites Impact Awards. Highly relevant as both a partner and indirect competitor for member mindshare.
• GivePulse: GivePulse is a volunteer engagement and community service platform that was a Platinum sponsor of AL!VE's 2026 National Summit. Both serve volunteer engagement professionals through technology and community, with overlapping customer bases (universities, nonprofits) and complementary roles in the ecosystem.
• Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration (CCVA): CCVA administers the Certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA) credential that AL!VE prepares members to earn through study groups. The two organizations share the volunteer engagement profession's professionalization mission and partner on advocacy for Department of Labor recognition.
• VolunteerMatch: VolunteerMatch is a national nonprofit platform connecting volunteers with opportunities. While its focus is the volunteer-customer side rather than the professional-management side, both organizations operate in the volunteer engagement ecosystem and address overlapping stakeholder segments of volunteer program leaders.

Broad incumbents

• Points of Light: Points of Light is the largest volunteerism-focused nonprofit in the U.S. and AL!VE's strategic partner on the Service Enterprise accreditation program. It operates at a broader scope (HandsOn Network, civic engagement, global volunteerism) but directly overlaps in serving volunteer engagement professionals and the organizations they work for.
• Independent Sector: Independent Sector is a national membership organization representing nonprofits, foundations, and corporate giving programs. It serves a broader segment but overlaps with AL!VE in advocating for the nonprofit workforce and providing professional development resources used by volunteer engagement leaders.
• National Council of Nonprofits: The National Council of Nonprofits is a network of state and regional nonprofit associations serving the broader nonprofit sector. It is comparable as a nonprofit membership and advocacy organization, though it covers a wider scope rather than specializing in volunteer engagement.
• ASAE (American Society of Association Executives): ASAE is the trade association for association professionals across all industries. It is comparable as a peer membership organization operating in the association management space, and offers overlapping professional development resources relevant to AL!VE's staff and operational model.

Emerging players

• Idealist: Idealist is a nonprofit job and volunteer opportunity platform connecting mission-driven professionals with roles, including volunteer engagement positions. It overlaps with AL!VE in serving career resources and volunteer matching for the same professional demographic.
• Rosterfy: Rosterfy is a Silver sponsor of AL!VE's 2026 National Summit and a volunteer management platform with growing presence in enterprise volunteer programs. Like Better Impact and GivePulse, it serves volunteer engagement professionals with adjacent technology to AL!VE's professional development and community offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/volunteeralive
• Instagraminstagram.com/volunteeralive
• Xx.com/VolunteerALIVE
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/association-of-leaders-in-volunteer-engagement

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement