# VolunteerReminder

> Simple, automated volunteer shift reminders by email, text message (SMS), and calendar invite — so your volunteers actually show up. Plans start at $3/month. SMS is included on Deluxe and Pro as scheduled shift reminders, not a bulk-text or per-message credit pack.

VolunteerReminder is for small nonprofits, churches, food pantries, thrift stores,
and community groups that need volunteers to show up for recurring shifts. You enter
your schedules and volunteer roster once; friendly reminders go out automatically by
email, SMS text message, and calendar invite. There is nothing for volunteers to
install or log into.

## Pricing (USD)

- **Basic** — $3/month or $33/year: up to 40 volunteers, email + calendar reminders, 1 reminder per shift. Email + calendar reminders for a small team.
- **Deluxe** — $9/month or $90/year: up to 60 volunteers, text (SMS) + email + calendar reminders, 2 reminders per shift. Adds text (SMS) reminders and the sign-up widget.
- **Pro** — $19/month or $190/year: up to 150 volunteers, text (SMS) + email + calendar reminders, 3 reminders per shift. For larger teams — more reminders per shift and the substitute finder.

Text (SMS) reminders are INCLUDED on Deluxe and Pro as scheduled shift reminders — not a bulk-text plan or per-message credit pack. Cancel or pause anytime.

## Links

- [Home](https://volunteerreminder.com/): product overview
- [Text reminders for volunteers](https://volunteerreminder.com/text-reminders): how the flat-rate, included-SMS reminder wedge works and how it compares to metered tools
- [Pricing](https://volunteerreminder.com/pricing): plans, features, and how to get started
- [Start free trial](https://volunteerreminder.com/signup): create an account — 30-day free trial, no credit card
- [Set up with Claude or ChatGPT](https://volunteerreminder.com/docs/agents): connect an AI assistant and a copy-paste starter prompt for setting up volunteer reminders
- [About](https://volunteerreminder.com/about): who builds VolunteerReminder
- [Machine-readable pricing (JSON)](https://volunteerreminder.com/api/v1/pricing): stable plan catalog for agents
- [OpenAPI spec (JSON)](https://volunteerreminder.com/api/v1/openapi.json): the full REST v1 contract — SDKs, docs, and MCP tools all derive from this
- [API reference](https://volunteerreminder.com/docs): human + agent docs for the REST API (request with `Accept: text/markdown` for a markdown rendition)
- [MCP server](https://mcp.volunteerreminder.com): remote MCP endpoint (Streamable HTTP) for Claude, ChatGPT, and other MCP-compatible assistants — OAuth Allow, or paste a vrk_ API key
- [AGENTS.md](https://volunteerreminder.com/AGENTS.md): install, configure, and import a roster via MCP
- [Full agent dump](https://volunteerreminder.com/llms-full.txt): llms.txt plus docs and existing page copy
- [Markdown sitemap](https://volunteerreminder.com/sitemap.md): public pages as headings and links
- [MCP server card](https://volunteerreminder.com/.well-known/mcp/server-card.json): pre-connection MCP discovery
- [API catalog](https://volunteerreminder.com/.well-known/api-catalog): RFC 9727 linkset for the REST API and MCP

## Guides & tools

- [An honest SignUpGenius alternative for recurring volunteer shifts](https://volunteerreminder.com/alternatives/signupgenius): SignUpGenius is a sign-up sheet with ads and monthly text caps. We send scheduled shift reminders for weekly rotations: flat $9/mo, not a bulk-text plan.
- [SignUp.com pricing: the real cost of ad-free text reminders](https://volunteerreminder.com/alternatives/signup-com): SignUp.com Starter is $9.99/mo, but ad-free costs +$9.99/mo even on paid plans — about $20 for ad-free texts, next to a flat $9 scheduled-reminder plan.
- [What texting volunteers through Planning Center actually costs](https://volunteerreminder.com/alternatives/planning-center): Planning Center meters texting at $0.02 per 160-char credit plus a $5/mo number fee. The real monthly math, next to a flat $9 scheduled-reminder plan.
- [What texting volunteers through Ministry Scheduler Pro actually costs](https://volunteerreminder.com/alternatives/ministry-scheduler-pro): Ministry Scheduler Pro bills SMS at $0.02 sent or received. YES/NO confirm bills both ways. License scales with volunteer count. $9/mo for scheduled reminders.
- [What VolunteerLocal actually costs: $600 a year, SMS capped](https://volunteerreminder.com/alternatives/volunteer-local): VolunteerLocal starts at $600/year for ongoing programs. SMS is included and capped at 10,000/year on Discover. Deluxe is $9 a month for scheduled reminders.
- [What Volunteer Scheduler Pro actually costs: $45 a month at 100 volunteers](https://volunteerreminder.com/alternatives/volunteer-scheduler-pro): Volunteer Scheduler Pro is $45/mo at 100 volunteers. Standard is $70. Optional SMS is $0.02 sent or received. Deluxe is $9 a month for scheduled reminders.
- [What VolunteerHub actually costs: $143 a month, billed annually plus setup](https://volunteerreminder.com/alternatives/volunteerhub): VolunteerHub starts at $143/mo, $288 on Pro, billed annually plus a setup fee. Text reminders are on every tier. Deluxe is $9/mo for scheduled reminders.
- [What Volgistics actually costs: $9 a month for 50 records, $12 with texts](https://volunteerreminder.com/alternatives/volgistics): Volgistics is $9/mo for 50 volunteer records and $18 at 100. Texting requires the $3 VicNet module, so $12 at 50. Deluxe is $9/mo for scheduled reminders.
- [What WhenToHelp actually costs: $16 a month at 10 volunteers, $54 at 60](https://volunteerreminder.com/alternatives/whentohelp): WhenToHelp is $16/mo for 10 volunteers, $33 at 11–30, and $54 at 31–60, everything included. It is a real scheduler. Deluxe is $9/mo for scheduled reminders.
- [SignUpGenius vs SignUp.com: texts, ads, and what each one really costs](https://volunteerreminder.com/compare/signupgenius-vs-signup-com): SignUpGenius meters texts at 150–1,500 a month and lifts ads one sign up at a time. SignUp.com advertises uncapped texts, then charges $9.99 to remove ads.
- [Planning Center vs Ministry Scheduler Pro: what each one costs to text your volunteers](https://volunteerreminder.com/compare/planning-center-vs-ministry-scheduler-pro): Planning Center meters volunteer texts at $0.02 a credit plus $5 a month. Ministry Scheduler Pro starts at $50/mo for up to 100 volunteers, replies billed too.
- [Ministry Scheduler Pro vs Volunteer Scheduler Pro: same company, same text meter, different license](https://volunteerreminder.com/compare/ministry-scheduler-pro-vs-volunteer-scheduler-pro): Rotunda's two schedulers both meter texts at $0.02 sent or received. At up to 100 volunteers MSP is $50/$65 and VSP is $45/$70, on different billing terms.
- [SignUpGenius vs Planning Center: a signup sheet, a church operating system, and what each costs to text volunteers](https://volunteerreminder.com/compare/signupgenius-vs-planning-center): SignUpGenius meters texts at 150 a month on its entry plan. Planning Center's free texts ride carrier gateways; deliverable ones cost $0.02 a credit plus $5.
- [VolunteerReminder vs SignUpGenius: a signup sheet, a reminder service, and which problem you actually have](https://volunteerreminder.com/compare/volunteerreminder-vs-signupgenius): SignUpGenius is a signup sheet metering texts at 150 a month on its entry paid plan. We send scheduled shift reminders for $9. Who should stay put, honestly.
- [VolunteerReminder vs Planning Center: a church operating system, a reminder service, and what it costs to text a volunteer](https://volunteerreminder.com/compare/volunteerreminder-vs-planning-center): Planning Center meters volunteer texts at $0.02 a credit plus $5 a month, on top of Services. We send scheduled shift reminders for $9. Who should stay put.
- [VolunteerReminder vs Ministry Scheduler Pro: a church scheduler, a reminder service, and what a text actually costs](https://volunteerreminder.com/compare/volunteerreminder-vs-ministry-scheduler-pro): Ministry Scheduler Pro bills $0.02 per text sent or received, on a license that starts at 100 volunteers. We send shift reminders for $9. Who should stay.
- [VolunteerReminder vs SignUp.com: a sign-up sheet, a reminder service, and what ad-free texting really costs](https://volunteerreminder.com/compare/volunteerreminder-vs-signup-com): SignUp.com advertises uncapped text reminders, then charges $9.99 more to remove ads. We send scheduled shift reminders for $9. Who should stay put, honestly.
- [VolunteerReminder vs WhenToHelp: a scheduler, a reminder service, and what 40 volunteers costs each](https://volunteerreminder.com/compare/volunteerreminder-vs-whentohelp): WhenToHelp builds the week — availability, AutoFill, Tradeboard — at $54/mo for 31-60 helpers. We only remind a roster somebody already built, $9. Who stays.
- [VolunteerReminder vs VolunteerLocal: an event platform, a reminder service, and what 40 volunteers costs each](https://volunteerreminder.com/compare/volunteerreminder-vs-volunteer-local): VolunteerLocal runs events and programs — applications, hours, a 10k SMS allotment — at $600/yr. We only remind a roster somebody already built, $9. Who stays.
- [50 volunteer reminder texts you can send automatically](https://volunteerreminder.com/templates/volunteer-reminder-texts): Send automatic reminders to church and other volunteers before each shift. 50 ready texts, plus a $9/mo option that sends them for you — no app to install.
- [What do volunteer no-shows cost your organization?](https://volunteerreminder.com/tools/no-show-calculator): Free calculator: what do volunteer no-shows cost your nonprofit per year? Uses Independent Sector's $36.14/hour value of volunteer time. No email needed.
- [Volunteer scheduling and text reminders for charity thrift stores](https://volunteerreminder.com/for/thrift-stores): Flat $9/mo scheduled shift reminders for charity thrift stores — sorting, register, and dock shifts. Not a bulk-text plan. Seniors need no app or email.
- [Volunteer reminders for food pantries and meal programs](https://volunteerreminder.com/for/food-pantries): Flat $9/mo scheduled shift reminders for food pantry volunteers — sorting, distribution, and meal programs. Not a bulk-text plan. No $0.02 per-message meter.
- [Volunteer reminders for small churches](https://volunteerreminder.com/for/churches): Flat $9/mo scheduled shift reminders for church volunteers — worship, AV, nursery, and greeter rotations. Not a bulk-text plan. No $0.02 per-message meter.
- [Volunteer reminders for foster-based animal rescues](https://volunteerreminder.com/for/animal-rescues): Flat $9/mo scheduled shift reminders for foster-based animal rescues — care rounds, transport relays, and adoption events. Not a bulk-text plan, no app.
- [Volunteer reminders for hospital auxiliaries and guilds](https://volunteerreminder.com/for/hospital-auxiliaries): Flat $9/mo scheduled shift reminders for hospital auxiliary volunteers — gift shop, information desk, blood drives. No app, no account to create.
- [The complete guide to volunteer reminders](https://volunteerreminder.com/guides/volunteer-reminders): How to remind volunteers so they actually show up — reminder timing, text vs email, message templates, recurring rotations, and US texting compliance basics.
- [Case Study: Sharing Bread Soup Kitchen](https://volunteerreminder.com/article/casestudy-sharingbreadsoupkitchen): How Sharing Bread Soup Kitchen replaced overwhelming spreadsheets with automatic reminders, and built dependable volunteer relationships in the process.
- [Church Nursery Scheduling the Easy way](https://volunteerreminder.com/article/church-nursery-scheduling): Lost among spreadsheets and calendar invites, and outnumbered by kids when a volunteer forgets? A simpler way to schedule and remind your church nursery team.
- [How Soup Kitchens Help the Community](https://volunteerreminder.com/article/how-soup-kitchens-help-the-community): Soup kitchens provide nutritional and emotional support to their neighbors. How they help, why they matter more in hard financial times, and how to get involved.
- [Get Volunteers as Enthusiastic as Katniss Everdeen](https://volunteerreminder.com/article/i-volunteer-as-tribute): "I volunteer as tribute!" Katniss had very different circumstances, but you can still get volunteers who are genuinely enthusiastic — in a considerably better way.
- [Volunteer Retention: Our top 5 Tips](https://volunteerreminder.com/article/improve-volunteer-retention): Keep volunteer turnover low and build a culture of community that keeps people involved for the long run. Five practical retention tips for small nonprofits.
- [Top Traits to look for in your Next Volunteer](https://volunteerreminder.com/article/top-volunteer-traits): Four characteristics that rockstar volunteers have in common, and how to spot them while you are recruiting — before you have invested months in training.
- [Virtual Volunteer Opportunities](https://volunteerreminder.com/article/virtual-volunteer-opportunities): Online volunteering lets people do good right from their phones. Five ways to make a difference today with just a few spare minutes and no commute.
- [Volunteer No-Shows: How to Handle the Situation Gracefully](https://volunteerreminder.com/article/volunteer-no-show-prevention): Volunteers mean well, but good intentions aren't always enough. How to prevent volunteer no-shows, plan around them, and re-engage people without guilt-tripping.
- [How to Improve your Volunteer Recruitment](https://volunteerreminder.com/article/volunteer-recruitment): Get the volunteers you need with less effort. Practical recruitment tips for small nonprofits, including the sign-up details that quietly cost you people.
- [Volunteer Work you can do Today](https://volunteerreminder.com/article/volunteer-today): Simple ways to positively impact your community today, in under an hour — no long-term commitment, no training, and several you can do from your couch.
- [What is Micro-Volunteering?](https://volunteerreminder.com/article/what-is-microvolunteering): Micro-volunteering is noncommittal volunteering that lets busy people help in small ways. What it is, why it works, and how to offer it in your organization.

## Contact

- Email: info@volunteerreminder.com