Compare Nonprofit Tools
Onward vs. Idealist and VolunteerMatch for Finding Volunteers
Idealist (which VolunteerMatch joined in early 2025) is a free worldwide board for posting volunteer openings to a large audience; Onward is nationwide too, and puts the opening on your own page next to your events, supporters and business sponsors, then runs the sign-ups, reminders and hours.
Last updated November 1, 2026
| Onward | Idealist (VolunteerMatch) | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free, and it stays free | Free to post |
| Audience | Nationwide, through the neighbors, businesses and professionals who follow and share your page | Worldwide: more than 2 million people |
| Sign-ups, reminders and hours | Yes. | Listings point people to you |
| Families and groups sign up together | Yes. | Not applicable |
| Your page with events, fundraisers and supporters | Yes. | Organization listing |
| Year-round business recognition: sponsor wall, business pages, promotion and thank-you posts | Yes. | No. |
| A community network: a feed, followers, and local businesses, professionals and neighbors connected to your cause, with one-tap sharing to Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn | Yes. | No. |
When Idealist is the better pick: you want the widest possible reach, including virtual volunteers anywhere in the world.
When Onward is the better pick: you want neighbors nearby to find you, sign up, and keep coming back.
The best part: you can use both. Post your openings on Idealist to reach people everywhere, and send them to your Onward page, where they sign up, get reminders, and see their hours count.
Idealist details from Idealist's VolunteerMatch page, checked Nov 1, 2026.
Give your supporters the spotlight.
Create your nonprofit's page free. Everything on Onward today is free, and it stays free.