Allow me to set the scene.

You’ve just navigated the grind of rush hour traffic (twice) and put in a full day of work, barely finding time to gulp down the PB&J sandwich you threw together that morning. Now the second shift begins as you pull into your driveway. Ahead lies the whirlwind of getting your kids to their activities, helping with homework and preparing lunches infused with as much love and nutrition as you can muster.

Finally, after bedtime stories and goodnight kisses, you think you can catch your breath. But no—not yet. You sit down, open your laptop, and face the demands of the small charity you lead as a volunteer Executive Director. There are emails to answer, tasks to delegate to your small team of devoted volunteers, and plans to make for upcoming events that your charity depends on.

This scenario may be fictional, but for many volunteer leaders, it’s strikingly real. It’s a life defined by an enduring love for others, a selfless commitment that is nothing short of heroic.

For more than 25 years, I’ve worked alongside volunteers like these tireless individuals whose dedication comes from an unshakable belief in their causes. Now, as the founder of Harmonia Philanthropy, I’m privileged to advocate for these everyday heroes. Their efforts, fueled by love, deserve to be spotlighted and celebrated and I’m determined to do just that.

Pulling back the curtain

According to Canada Helps’ 2024 Giving Report, an astonishing 59% of Canada’s charities and nonprofits operate solely through volunteer efforts. These volunteers have their ears to the ground, constantly responding to the needs of their community as unpaid (yet tireless) champions of change. But the pandemic has left its mark.

Before COVID-19, older Canadians formed the backbone of the volunteer workforce. Health concerns and safety restrictions, however, caused many to step back and organizations have yet to fully recover from this shortage of volunteers.

The numbers tell the story according to Made in CA:

• In 2018, 79% of Canadians aged 15+ volunteered.
• By 2022, 55.1% of charities reported fewer volunteers than before the pandemic.

With fewer volunteers but growing demand for services, over 50% of charity managers report concerns about burnout. As you might expect, this is a challenge particularly acute for smaller organizations.

A hidden opportunity

Despite these challenges, there’s hope. As Social Lens highlights, the “Fourth Industrial Revolution is here and that technology has changed the way we volunteer”. They go on to say that “virtual volunteering has emerged as one of the most rapidly growing corporate employee engagement opportunities, simultaneously seeking a way to bridge the digital divide by bringing in the skills and knowledge that companies can offer”.

This shift presents the perfect stage-setting for charities to engage tech-savvy student volunteers. Beyond fulfilling mandatory volunteer hours, students can support charities by managing social media, enhancing digital communications, and tackling other technology-driven tasks. Virtual options for students become a very enticing and strategic direction to take as a charity or nonprofit.

Don’t get me wrong—there will always be a need for the “hands-on” approach to volunteering but balancing these methods, gives charities an effective way to rebuild, and even expand, their volunteer base.

Strategies for volunteer engagement

To thrive in this ever-evolving landscape, charities must develop creative strategies to attract and retain volunteers. This might include:

• Optimizing your online presence to attract support
• Clearly defining all volunteer roles and expectations
• Leveraging virtual volunteering to tap into corporate and student networks
• Celebrating volunteer contributions to foster loyalty and engagement

Here are some additional resources to help charities take these steps:

• Volunteer Success
• Volunteer Canda
• Imagine Canada's resource on Volunteer Involvement
• Charity Village's resource on Volunteer Engagement
• Nominations for Canada’s Volunteer Awards
  
  

Celebrating the love we have for Hidden Hearts Heroes

Valentine’s Day is upon us so let’s celebrate the love and dedication of volunteers who make impactful work possible. These Hidden Hearts Heroes give so much of themselves to make our communities stronger and they deserve to be supported and championed. Please take a moment to reach out, explore ways to ease their burden, and join their ranks by becoming a Hidden Heart Hero yourself.

Lois Graveline is a passionate advocate for meaningful philanthropy, dedicated to forging strong connections between individuals and charitable organizations. As the Founder and CEO of Harmonia Philanthropy and a fundraising practitioner of thirty-two years, she embodies the belief that philanthropy should transcend transactional relationships, creating lasting impacts for both donors and communities.

Learn more about Harmonia Philanthropy by visiting Harmonia Philanthropy or contacting Lois at lois@harmoniaphilanthropy.ca or (613) 282-0344.