Institute of Volunteer Leadership
The Institute of Volunteer Leadership (IVL) is a new hub offering both peer support and external guidance for professionals and volunteers who lead volunteers. Based in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
As a professional body, it is dedicated to developing, supporting and recognising volunteer managers and leaders, while championing high standards across the volunteer management profession.
The IVL provides an opportunity for leaders of volunteers across the island of Ireland to access and benefit from professional guidance, moral support, and in-sector peer mentors. It is designed to help members gain practical advice from others in similar roles, explore opportunities for personal and professional development and strengthen recognition of the volunteer management profession.
Why join the IVL?
- Gain access to a platform of resources
- Invites to site visits and opportunities for networking
- Mentoring schemes to promote peer learning
- Talks and webinars about personal development skills within the sector
- Information about training providers across the island
- A detailed competency and development framework for the profession of volunteer management
- Be an active part of the shaping of the focus and work of the IVL
Make the IVL yours!
Join us at a Welcome Session on Friday 29 May 2026 to learn more about how we are building this professional body together.
Cost Structure
Membership fees are set at two levels:
Leaders of volunteers are practitioners who run, organise and manage volunteers on a regular basis, such as Volunteer Administrators, Officers, Coordinators, Managers or ‘Volunteer Liaisons’ with responsibility for contacting and checking up on fellow volunteers.
Leaders of volunteers – £45 / €50
Strategic managers of volunteers are trustees or volunteer team leads who are responsible for developing volunteer programmes but do not necessarily organise the day-to-day support of volunteers. This could be board members or higher level management when there is a separate role for volunteer development. These managers strategically plan volunteering and volunteer development and support within a larger organisation.
Leaders of corporate volunteering programmes are welcome to join and develop their skills and understanding of volunteer engagement. IVL wants to acknowledge that these leaders are an integral part of volunteer management sphere.
Corporate/Strategic – £90 / €100
A 90% discounted bursary is available to leaders of volunteers who are volunteers themselves in entirely volunteer-led VIOs. This payment/investment is made to convey value and offset the benefits members receive.
All members get equal access to all resources and offerings. No difference will be made in access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fantastic! Just fill in the form at (LINK) with your details. Once a member of the IVL team approves your application, we’ll send you everything you need to get your membership fee sorted and officially welcome you on board.
No. While we welcome a range of volunteer leadership experiences, the IVL is specifically for people whose primary focus is managing volunteers. We recognise that you may hold multiple roles within your organisation, but the IVL is intended as a dedicated space for those who lead volunteers. It is also not a platform for marketing or promoting services to volunteer managers.
Absolutely! The IVL is designed to connect people at different stages and different experiences. Our framework maps out different development pathways so you can personalise it to your strengths and experiences, no matter where you are in your career.
Yes! If you lead volunteers, even in a voluntary role, the IVL is designed with you in mind. Be sure to take advantage of the lower membership rate available for volunteers.
Yes. Members of the IVL are the individuals and not the organisation, regardless of who pays the membership fee.
The IVL is jointly governed by Volunteer Now and Volunteer Ireland, who act as equal partners in all decision-making. For further or more detailed queries, please contact Alice.OBoyle@volunteernow.co.uk
