In this episode of CharityVillage Connects, we take a close look at a crisis in Canadian volunteerism, where a sharp decline in both participation rates and total hours has left the already depleted nonprofit sector struggling.
At a time when Canada needs strong communities more than ever, the people and organizations that hold many of those communities together are under growing strain. With a trade war with the United States threatening our economy, challenges to our sovereignty, a rising cost of living, a growing demand for charitable services and an urgent need to strengthen unity at home, nonprofits are being asked to do more—while struggling to recruit and retain the volunteers they depend on to deliver on their missions.
But this is about more than a shortage of volunteers. In this episode, we speak with leading experts about the demographic, economic and social forces reshaping volunteerism in Canada—and why rebuilding our volunteer capacity matters to the country's social and economic resilience. We explore how nonprofits can better engage younger Canadians, newcomers and older adults, what needs to change in the way organizations recruit and support volunteers, and whether Canada needs to think much bigger about how we invest in service and civic participation.
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What is CharityVillage Connects?
Welcome to CharityVillage Connects – a series that highlights topics vital to the nonprofit sector in Canada. CharityVillage is a resource to over 170,000 charitable and nonprofit organizations in Canada. This series, hosted by President Mary Barroll, will provide in-depth conversations with experts in the nonprofit sector. We’ll examine diversity, equity and inclusion, innovations in fundraising, the gap in female representation in leadership and many other subjects crucial to the growth and development of charities throughout Canada.