Volunteering Is On the Rise; Donations Will Be Too!
Photo: Canva
As challenging as the landscape has been for many nonprofits lately, there’s encouraging news: volunteering in America is on the rise.
Gallup reported that 63 percent of Americans volunteered in 2025, with environmental cleanups, food drives and helping at shelters ranking as the top three activities. Notably, many volunteers are opting for short-term, flexible opportunities. The American Red Cross reported that volunteerism increased by 25 percent in 2025, with Gen Z making up the majority of volunteers. Further, corporate social responsibility (CSR) professionals are engaging through their workplaces at a rate of 61 percent, marking the third consecutive year of growth post-pandemic.
April is National Volunteer Month, a time for honoring volunteers and the impact of volunteerism in our communities. It’s an important honor; in today’s fast-paced, 24/7 world, those who give their time are carving out intentional moments to make a difference.
And the impact isn’t just felt by the organizations they serve. It’s deeply personal, too.
Studies show interesting results on the benefits of volunteering; often, those who give their time receive more in return. Beyond expressions of gratitude, studies show that people who volunteer are happier, feel more socially connected, experience greater self-satisfaction and report lower levels of anxiety and depression.
Let’s face it – volunteering makes us feel generous!
But more than that, volunteering actually makes us more generous.
Volunteers already possess two essential characteristics of loyal donors: interest and involvement. Once someone demonstrates interest and becomes involved with a nonprofit, they are far more likely to invest in it, through monetary or in-kind contributions.
At the same time, those of us who keep tabs on philanthropy trends are increasingly concerned about the decline in the overall number of donors. While total dollars given are up, the number of individual donors has been trending downward for several years, according to Giving USA’s Annual Report of Philanthropy. Research continues to point to the need for more everyday givers. The Generosity Commission’s report reinforces this, noting that everyday givers and volunteers have extraordinary power to meet local needs, build community and strengthen our social fabric.
This is where the opportunity becomes clear. With volunteerism on the rise, it stands to reason that the number of donors should increase as well, if organizations are intentional about connecting the two.
So how do we convert these generous givers of time into loyal donors? The answers are simple, yet often overlooked:
Steward volunteers the way you would steward your top donors. They already know you! After all, they are giving your organization a valuable resource: time.
Ask. Often, nonprofits are hesitant to approach volunteers with a financial ask, but these individuals likely understand your needs more than you think. When positioned as an opportunity to deepen their engagement, the ask can feel natural and far more effective than seeking entirely new donors.
Make your request personal. Simply adding a volunteer to a mailing list removes them from the personal relationship they already have with your organization.
Start small and offer repetition. Options like monthly giving mirror the ongoing nature of volunteer engagement, even for those who start with short-term commitments.
Treat your volunteer managers and captains as an important partner in your culture of philanthropy. Everyone should understand why your organization deserves support and, most importantly, know how to guide others toward giving.
The experience of volunteering leaves a lasting impression on the volunteer, whether they engage one time or for multiple years. Continuous communication through storytelling reminds them of the experience, reengaging and igniting enthusiasm time after time.
If you're a volunteer, happy National Volunteer Month, and thank you for your generous gift of time! If you’re wondering how to get started, a quick search is all it takes to discover opportunities aligned with your interests. From city events to food banks, human service agencies, arts and cultural organizations, hospitals and schools, there are countless ways to get involved in your community.
As CEO and Founder of M. Gale, Missy Gale has dedicated almost three decades to crafting unique strategies and solutions to complex fundraising projects and organizational issues, resulting in transformational fundraising success for her clients. With more than 15 years at the helm of M. Gale, Missy has assisted nonprofits in North Texas and the Southwest in the areas of healthcare, arts and culture, human services, and education. She has been honored as the Outstanding Professional Fundraiser by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Fort Worth Metro chapter and named A Great Woman of Texas by the Fort Worth Business Press.