Communities across the United States are struggling in response to a global pandemic, a faltering economy, and racial injustices. Non-profit entities and government agencies are on the front lines of the community response, and volunteers are an asset with skills, talent, time, and energy to sustain—and even expand—services.
Yet, most organizations lack the necessary support and direction to strategically deploy the renewable resource of Volunteers. Philanthropic support to close this gap remains the exception rather than the rule, as funders often consider Volunteer Engagement a “nice to have” program rather than a strategic imperative for mission accomplishment.
As our nation attempts to create more sustainable and just systems and practices in our communities, collaboration across the non-profit, government, and corporate sectors will be crucial. An informed, empowered, and effectively deployed citizenry will be essential in every area of our ongoing rebuilding, and that will require solid infrastructures the likes of which we have yet to imagine.
Bottom line: Volunteer Engagement is indeed a key strategy for driving positive community change. Our nation’s entities are encouraged to elevate their embrace of this call.