Teaching Paper: Glossary of Digital Volunteer Management Terms – Building a Shared Language for Nonprofits

Digital transformation in volunteer management introduces new concepts, tools, and practices that are not always well understood across nonprofit organizations. A shared vocabulary is essential for aligning staff, volunteers, and stakeholders in planning, training, and evaluation. This Teaching Paper presents a Glossary of Digital Volunteer Management Terms, covering 30+ key concepts including analytics tools, volunteer management systems, gamification, privacy policies, and virtual volunteering. Each term is defined in clear academic language and linked to practical applications in nonprofit contexts. By consolidating terminology, the glossary supports continuous learning, reduces miscommunication, and strengthens collaboration across diverse teams. It is designed as both a teaching resource for practitioners and a reference tool for scholars studying nonprofit digitalization.