Volunteer Administrator

What Volunteer Administrator does

The Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration (CCVA) is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization, incorporated in Virginia in June 2006, that administers the Certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA) professional credential. CCVA serves volunteer engagement professionals working in nonprofit, healthcare, government, library, education, arts, and disaster response organizations across at least ten countries. The CVA program originated in the early 1980s under the Association for Volunteer Administration (AVA), and ownership of the program and its Professional Ethics publication was transferred to CCVA when AVA dissolved in 2006.

CCVA's product portfolio centers on the CVA certification, which candidates earn by passing a computer-based exam offered twice annually during two-week windows in April and October through Pearson VUE's global testing center network and the YouTestMe online platform. Candidates are assessed against CCVA's proprietary Body of Knowledge and Competency Framework, supported by the 4th edition of 'Volunteer Administration: Professional Practice' (published by LexisNexis Canada) and a Professional Ethics framework built around five core values. Supporting offerings include the free 'Is Everyone Welcome?' toolkit for diversity, equity, and inclusion in volunteer engagement (hosted with Idealist), ethics education sessions, the CVA Self-Assessment Tool, study resources, the CVA Registry of 1,100+ certified professionals, the Speakers Series, and research outputs from the TEVA (technology adoption during COVID-19) and ADEVI (diversity and equity in volunteer inclusion) projects conducted in partnership with Arizona State University and AmeriCorps. In 2025, the Is Everyone Welcome? toolkit won a Gold Anthem Award.

CCVA is funded solely by certification fees, renewal fees, and individual contributions. Renewal is required every four to five years via professional development units or hours. The organization is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors composed of CVAs, with operational headquarters in Portland, Oregon, and a distributed volunteer-driven committee structure covering Marketing, Outreach, Ethics, Exam, and Knowledge functions.

Name

Volunteer Administrator

Legal name

Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration

Website

https://cvacert.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration (CCVA) is a U.S. nonprofit that administers the Certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA) credential for leaders of volunteers across nonprofit, healthcare, government, education, and arts sectors internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Honolulu, Hawaii

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Certification Fees: Revenue from CVA certification exam fees, renewal fees, and individual contributions. The organization is funded solely by certification fees, renewal fees and individual contributions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration (CCVA) delivers the Certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA) credential, the sole professional certification for individuals who mobilize and manage volunteers. The program combines a Body of Knowledge-based exam administered globally through Pearson VUE centers and the YouTestMe platform, with annual renewal tied to continuing professional development. CCVA also publishes the field's defining textbook, ethics framework, research reports (TEVA, ADEVI), and a free DEI toolkit for volunteer engagement.

Product overview

CCVA offers a professional certification ecosystem centered on the CVA (Certified Volunteer Administrator) credential, which includes exam-based certification, renewal requirements, and continuing education. The primary product is the CVA certification program administered through YouTestMe at Pearson VUE testing centers. Supporting offerings include the textbook 'Volunteer Administration: Professional Practice' (4th Edition, published by LexisNexis Canada), the free 'Is Everyone Welcome?' toolkit for DEI in volunteer engagement, professional ethics education sessions, and research publications from the TEVA and ADEVI projects. CCVA also provides the Body of Knowledge and Competency Framework as foundational guidance for the field.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Professional Ethics in Volunteer Administration: A core ethical framework and educational program covering citizenship, respect, accountability, fairness, and trust values for volunteer engagement professionals.
• TEVA Project
• ADEVI

Products and services

• CVA (Certified Volunteer Administrator) Certification Professional certification program for individuals who mobilize and manage volunteers. Involves exam-based assessment against the Body of Knowledge and Competency Framework and continuing professional development requirements for renewal every 4–5 years. Administered globally via the YouTestMe platform and Pearson VUE testing centers during two annual 2-week exam windows in April and October.
• Volunteer Administration: Professional Practice Textbook The only book addressing the full Body of Knowledge required for professional administration and management of volunteers. 4th Edition published by LexisNexis Canada. Used as the foundational reference for CVA exam preparation.
• Is Everyone Welcome? Tools to Broaden Volunteer Engagement Free online toolkit developed collaboratively by over 20 CVAs to promote broader access to volunteerism through more welcoming volunteer administration practices. Hosted with Idealist and recognized with a 2025 Gold Anthem Award.
• Professional Ethics in Volunteer Administration Framework Core ethical values and principles document for the field of volunteer administration, covering Citizenship, Respect, Accountability, Fairness, and Trust. Licensed and maintained by CCVA as a professional ethics standard for credentialed volunteer administrators.

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AL!VE (Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational membership organization in the United States for leaders and professionals in volunteer engagement. Provides leadership, networking, learning, and opportunities for professional development at regional, national, and international levels.
• AmeriCorpscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency funding research projects including TEVA and ADEVI. AmeriCorps funded the TEVA project as part of the National Service and Civic Engagement Research Competition.
• Arizona State University (ASU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration partner on TEVA project (technology adoption during COVID-19 pandemic) and ADEVI project (diversity and equity in volunteer inclusion). Mark Hager from ASU serves as principal investigator.
• America's Service CommissionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit, nonpartisan association representing 52 state and territorial service commissions across the United States, leading and elevating the commission network.
• Association of Zoos & AquariumsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFounded in 1924, AZA is the accrediting body for top zoos and aquariums in the US and 12 other countries, supporting conservation and education efforts.
• Independent SectorminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational membership organization connecting, strengthening, and advocating for nonprofits and philanthropies in the US civil society.
• National Association of Volunteer Program Leaders in Government (NAVPLG)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOnly national membership association in the US dedicated to supporting leaders who oversee volunteer programs within government settings.
• Volunteer Management Professionals of Canada (VMPC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChampion in the field of Volunteer Management in Canada, providing advocacy, capacity building, and networking. Supports international certification through CCVA.
• Points of LightminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNonpartisan, global nonprofit organization that inspires, equips and mobilizes people to create positive change through volunteering and civic engagement.
• Volunteer CanadaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational voice for volunteerism in Canada since 1977, committed to increasing and supporting volunteerism and civic participation.
• Volunteer ScotlandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational centre for volunteering in Scotland, helping create conditions for volunteering to thrive. CCVA is a Volunteer Scotland Trusted Partner.
• Volunteer IrelandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational organisation promoting, supporting and advocating for volunteering in Ireland, working with stakeholders to make volunteering accessible and inclusive.
• IdealistcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnects over 200,000 organizations with people seeking social-impact jobs and volunteer opportunities. Hosts the Is Everyone Welcome? toolkit and publishes Engage journal.
• VolunteerProminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOnline volunteer management training, coaching, and community for leaders of volunteers at all levels. President Tobi Johnson, CVA, hosts the Time and Talent Podcast.
• Conestoga CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOnly Canadian volunteer management certificate program with national VMPC partnership, running since 1984. Courses align with CCVA standards.
• Indiana State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOffers RCSM-440/540: Volunteer Engagement course built upon CCVA ethics, body of knowledge and competency framework.
• University of Chicago Survey LabminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConducted TEVA survey of CVAs in spring 2021, collecting data on technology adoption during COVID-19 pandemic.
• Pearson VUEcoreTechnology or IntegrationGlobal testing center network providing access to CVA and CAVS exams since 2016 through computer-based testing.
• LexisNexisminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPublisher of the 4th edition of Volunteer Administration: Professional Practice textbook, the definitive text for the CVA certification.
• Minnesota Alliance for Volunteer Advancement (MAVA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerField partner for ADEVI project testing Is Everyone Welcome? toolkit. Provides training and capacity building resources for nonprofits.
• LA WorksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerField partner for ADEVI project testing Is Everyone Welcome? toolkit. Professional membership association for volunteer program leaders in Los Angeles.
• San Diego County Parks and RecreationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerField partner for ADEVI project testing Is Everyone Welcome? toolkit.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• AL!VE (Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement): U.S. national membership organization specifically for leaders and professionals in volunteer engagement. Most directly comparable peer: same target audience (volunteer engagement professionals) with overlapping value proposition of professional development and networking, though AL!VE is membership-based while CCVA is credential-based.
• VolunteerPro: Online volunteer management training, coaching, and community for leaders of volunteers, led by Tobi Johnson, CVA. Directly comparable as a professional-development offering for the same target persona, with overlapping content (Time and Talent Podcast co-hosted with CCVA board member).

Broad incumbents

• Points of Light: Large, global nonprofit focused on volunteering and civic engagement. Broader incumbent that addresses the same volunteer-engagement ecosystem but from a movement-building and mobilization angle rather than professional credentialing.
• Idealist: Social-impact jobs and volunteer opportunities platform connecting over 200,000 organizations. Strategic partner that publishes the Engage journal and hosts CCVA's 'Is Everyone Welcome?' toolkit; addresses the same volunteer-engagement professional audience.
• VolunteerMatch: Long-standing volunteer-matching platform serving the same volunteer-engagement ecosystem. Comparable as an ecosystem player adjacent to CCVA's target customers (volunteer program managers), but operates a marketplace rather than a credential.

Others

• Better Impact: Volunteer management software provider since 2001 serving leaders of volunteers globally. CCVA technology/integration partner; serves the same target buyer (volunteer program managers) with software tools rather than credentials.
• GivePulse: Community engagement and volunteer management platform helping organizations mobilize volunteers and measure impact. CCVA technology partner; complementary infrastructure for the same volunteer-program professional audience.

Regional players

• Volunteer Scotland: National centre for volunteering in Scotland and CCVA 'Trusted Partner.' Comparable as a sector infrastructure organization supporting volunteer engagement professionals, but focused on Scotland rather than international credentialing.
• Volunteer Canada: National voice for volunteerism in Canada since 1977. CCVA GTM/marketing partner in the Canadian market; pursues a comparable mission of supporting volunteer engagement but at a national-membership level rather than credentialing.
• Volunteer Ireland: National organisation promoting and advocating for volunteering in Ireland. CCVA GTM/marketing partner; pursues a similar professional-support mission for volunteer engagement but as an Ireland-focused national body rather than a credentialing body.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xbsky.app/profile/cvacert.bsky.social
• Facebookfacebook.com/cvacert
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/volunteer-administrator

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Volunteer Administrator