Skip to main content

Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Management Software

Volunteer Matrix was originally built for Habitat affiliates.
Not retrofitted. Not “adapted for nonprofits.” Built from the ground up for the way Habitat actually operates — construction sites, ReStores, group builds, and detailed reporting requirements.

In year 2000, Volunteer Matrix was established - purpose built for Habitat affiliates, offering back then online registration, orientation with skills and interests, which at the time was innovative (back then we were called Tools for Organizations). In 2005, when hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, we completed the first true online scheduling and management, and many thousands of volunteers who would travel to New Orleans would use our system to volunteer. Today we still have an affiliate that has been with us continuously since 2003, another since 2005, (which left for a period, and returned). That only happens when the software fits the mission.

Why Habitat for Humanity Affiliates Choose Volunteer Matrix

Habitat isn’t a typical nonprofit:
  • Multiple construction sites
  • Large corporate and church group builds
  • Skilled and unskilled volunteers
  • ReStore retail operations
  • Driver tracking
  • Annual reporting to international

Volunteer Matrix handles all of it in one system.

Construction Site Volunteer Management

No Internet on Site? No Problem.
 
Many build sites don’t have reliable internet access. Volunteer Matrix supports:
  • QR code clock-in using volunteers’ own mobile phones
  • Staff Roll Call mode from a mobile device
  • Manual add-to-schedule + instant clock-in
  • Offline-friendly workflows that sync when available

You don’t need a desktop on site.

Group Builds (Corporate, Church, School)

Habitat thrives on group days. Your software needs to reflect that reality.
 
Group leaders can clock in their entire group at once
  • Staff can assign group reservations in advance
  • Skill-based shift requirements can be enforced
  • Capacity controls prevent overbooking

    • No more clipboards and spreadsheets to reconcile later.

    Automatic Time Handling

    Construction days are busy.
     
    If someone clocks in but forgets to clock out:
    • The system can automatically close out their shift
    • You control the rules
    • Hours stay accurate for reporting

    Simple. Clean. No chasing volunteers later.

    Skills & Training Requirements

    Not every shift is the same.
     
    Volunteer Matrix allows you to:
    • Require specific skills or certifications for shifts
    • Track training completion
    • Search by skill
    • Email targeted volunteers to fill open slots

    When you need roofers, you email roofers.
    When you need framing leads, you email framing leads.
     
    No mass blasts. No guesswork.

    ReStore Volunteer Management

    Most affiliates operate a ReStore retail location — which introduces a completely different volunteer workflow.
     
    Volunteer Matrix supports:

    Retail Shift Scheduling

    • Cashier shifts
    • Warehouse sorting
    • Donation intake
    • Merchandising
    • Appliance testing

    Kiosk Mode

    Perfect for ReStores:
    • Walk-in volunteer check-in
    • Self-service clock in/out
    • Quick access without staff intervention

    Driver & Compliance Tracking

    ReStores often operate trucks for:
    • Donation pickup
    • Purchase delivery

    Volunteer Matrix tracks:
    • Driver’s license expiration dates
    • Required training
    • Certification renewals
    • Custom compliance fields

    No more spreadsheets for compliance monitoring.

    Reporting for Habitat International

    Habitat reporting requirements can be detailed and specific.
     
    Volunteer Matrix makes it easy to generate reports such as:
    • Volunteers serving over 20 hours/month
    • Volunteers serving over 40 hours/month
    • Weekly hour thresholds
    • Year-to-date totals
    • Group participation summaries
    • Skill-based engagement reports

    Exportable. Filterable. Customizable.
     
    When annual reporting season arrives, you’re ready.
     

    Designed for Habitat’s Workflow

    This isn’t generic “volunteer scheduling software.”
     
    It understands:
    • Construction builds
    • Group leaders
    • Skill requirements
    • ReStore retail operations
    • Driver compliance
    • Complex reporting

    Because that’s how it started.

    Long-Term Stability Matters

    Volunteer software shouldn’t be something you replace every 3 years.
     
    We’ve supported Habitat affiliates since 2000.
    We’re not a startup testing a nonprofit vertical.
    We built with Habitat — and continue to improve with real affiliate feedback.
     
    If you’re evaluating solutions for your Habitat affiliate, we’d welcome the conversation.
    Book a demo Explore product