If you’re leading a nonprofit without volunteers right now, you might feel like keeping everything in-house is the best way to stay efficient. Managing volunteers can seem overwhelming, and maybe you’ve thought, “I don’t want to impose on anyone,” or “It feels uncomfortable asking people to give their time for free.”
But here’s something to consider: asking for help isn’t a burden—it’s an invitation to be part of something meaningful. Volunteering creates purpose, connection, and fulfillment. It gives people a chance to contribute in ways that enrich their lives as much as they support your mission.
Most people actually want to help. They just don’t always know where to start. When you create volunteer opportunities, you’re not just making things easier for your organization—you’re giving people a way to engage with their community in a meaningful way.
Volunteering benefits everyone involved. It strengthens your nonprofit, but it also strengthens communities, builds connections, and empowers individuals. Creating well-defined and impactful volunteer opportunities isn’t just a good strategy—it’s a responsibility. If your nonprofit doesn’t engage volunteers, you could be missing a valuable chance to make an even greater impact.
The Duty of Volunteer Engagement
A Nonprofit’s Responsibility to Create Pathways for Volunteerism
As a nonprofit, your work isn’t just about the services you provide—it’s about how you connect with the broader community. One of the most important ways you can do that is by inviting others to serve alongside you.
Your nonprofit exists because there’s a gap in the world that needs to be filled. But those gaps aren’t just about providing food, shelter, education, or advocacy. They’re also about creating opportunities for people to be part of something bigger than themselves.
Strengthening Communities
Volunteerism fosters trust, cooperation, and shared responsibility, creating stronger communities.
Building Social Capital
Connecting people from different backgrounds through service enhances collaboration and civic engagement.
Empowering Individuals
Many people want to help but don’t know how. Your nonprofit gives them that pathway.
The Science of Helping
Why Volunteers Gain as Much as They Give
Some nonprofit leaders hesitate to ask for volunteers because they feel like it’s a one-sided request. But studies show that volunteering is deeply rewarding for those who participate. It has measurable emotional, psychological, and even physical benefits.
The Helper’s High
Engaging in acts of service stimulates the brain’s reward system, releasing dopamine, serotonin, and oxytocin—the same chemicals responsible for happiness, bonding, and reducing stress. Studies show that this biochemical response creates a lasting sense of well-being, similar to the positive effects of exercise or meditation.
Lower Stress, Better Health
Regular volunteers report lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, which is linked to anxiety and depression. Volunteering also contributes to better cardiovascular health, lower blood pressure, and even a longer lifespan. A longitudinal study found that older adults who volunteer frequently experience higher overall life satisfaction and improved cognitive function.
A Greater Sense of Time
Volunteering paradoxically makes people feel as though they have more time, not less. Psychologists suggest that when individuals dedicate their time to helping others, they experience a greater sense of purpose and accomplishment, which in turn creates the feeling of having more control over their schedule. A study published in Psychological Science found that people who spent time serving others felt a stronger sense of time affluence compared to those who spent their time on personal leisure.
The Ripple Effect
Volunteerism Strengthens Society
When people volunteer, they don’t just help your nonprofit—they help build a more engaged, connected, and resilient society. The impacts of volunteerism ripple outward, affecting not just individuals but entire communities and social structures. In a world where many feel disconnected, isolated, or powerless to create change, volunteerism serves as a crucial bridge to rekindle civic spirit and collective action. (Source: Standford Social Innovation Review, 2018)
Research shows that volunteers are more likely to vote, stay informed, and participate in their communities. (Source: The Harvard Gazette, 2020) This increased civic participation leads to stronger democratic processes, more engaged local governments, and a more socially responsible population.
Communities with high volunteer engagement are more connected and better able to withstand economic and social challenges. Studies have shown that when people regularly volunteer, neighborhoods experience lower crime rates, improved educational outcomes, and stronger support networks. (Source: Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology, 1998)
Volunteerism doesn’t just impact the people directly involved—it contributes to broader public health and well-being. Communities with high volunteer engagement report lower levels of social isolation, mental health struggles, and stress-related illnesses. (Source: National Institute on Aging, 2023)
Whether responding to natural disasters, public health emergencies, or economic downturns, volunteers often step in where traditional systems fall short. Having a culture of service in place ensures that communities can mobilize quickly and effectively when challenges arise. (Source: Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, 2024)
take action now
Why Volunteerism is More Critical Than Ever
Right now, the world is facing unprecedented levels of division, loneliness, and social fragmentation. Economic inequality is widening, and civic engagement is on the decline. At the same time, local communities are in desperate need of stronger support networks and collective action to tackle major social issues.
Volunteerism isn’t just about filling roles—it’s about healing and strengthening society at its core. By fostering a culture of service, nonprofits can play a pivotal role in reversing trends of disengagement and isolation. Encouraging volunteerism means creating a world where people feel invested in their communities, where they experience a sense of belonging, and where positive change is a shared responsibility.
The act of volunteering reminds us that we are not alone—that we are part of something larger than ourselves. And when more people embrace this truth, the entire fabric of society becomes stronger, more resilient, and more hopeful.
Keep in Mind:
Volunteers should never replace paid staff.
Their role is to support and extend the work, not to take away jobs.
Clearly define volunteer roles.
Ensure they understand their responsibilities and how they contribute to the mission.
Use volunteers to expand impact, not cut costs.
Ethical engagement means leveraging their efforts to reach more people while maintaining fair employment practices.