What question did this study set out to answer?

The research investigates the motivations behind 4-H volunteers and the potential impact of reimbursement policies on volunteer participation.

May 29, 2026Open Access

For Love or Money?

Key Points

The research investigates the motivations behind 4-H volunteers and the potential impact of reimbursement policies on volunteer participation.
Survey conducted with a cross-section of 58 county Extension staff in Minnesota regarding volunteer motivations and reimbursement policies.
Participants rated various incentives affecting volunteer engagement with the 4-H program.
Data collected on reimbursement practices for out-of-pocket expenses related to volunteer roles.
90% of staff believe most volunteers are motivated by their children's involvement in 4-H.
95% indicated that receiving appreciation from members is the most effective incentive for volunteers.
Reimbursement is more consistently provided for participation in out-of-county training and events.

Abstract

What motivates volunteers?Should 4-H volunteer staff pay their own expenses while performing their volunteer tasks?Often, when we're struggling to find a volunteer for a particular task or committee, we think, "If only I had special funds to reimburse volunteers for their mileage, meals, supplies, or child care, THEN I could find someone to do this job!" 1 What Agents Think Motivates VolunteersWhen a cross-section of 58 county Extension staff from Minnesota responded to a volunteer reimbursement policy survey 2 , they agreed about why volunteers work with 4-H in their counties.Ninety percent said, "Most volunteers have children who are 4-H members and want to help provide this kind of growing-up experience for them."Eighty-eight percent indicated, "Volunteers enjoy working with children and youth."Eighty-six percent thought volunteers work with 4-H because "4-H is a familycentered program."Incentives are factors that "make a difference in a volunteer's motivation to work for 4-H."In rating incentives for volunteers, county 4-H staff were nearly unanimous in their choice of the most effective: 95% selected "receiving an expression of appreciation from a 4-H member."Three others were selected by over 70% of the respondents: receiving a note of appreciation from an Extension staff person, being recognized by media, and simply knowing that they did a good job or contributed to something important.Receiving an award, receiving training to help do the volunteer job, and having expenses paid for a trip or learning experience were rated fifth, sixth, and seventh, respectively.Do counties reimburse volunteers for out-of-pocket expenses?Some counties do for expenses related to: coach of judging team, teen trainer or chaperone, promotion of 4-H, transportation of 4-Hers and projects to state events, training attendance within counties, or visitation of other clubs.Reimbursement seemed to be more uniformly provided for out-of-county functions.Most counties pay expenses for people attending training provided by district or state, especially if the person is to repeat the training within the county.

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