Key facts
- Points of Light will launch its National Volunteer Strategy on June 22.
- The goal is to increase U.S. volunteers to 150 million by 2035.
- The initiative involves investing in nonprofit infrastructure and volunteer management.
- Volunteerism has seen a decline post-pandemic, though it began rebounding in 2023.
- UPS has successfully increased employee retention and pride through its volunteerism initiatives.
Points of Light, an organization founded by former President George H.W. Bush, is set to unveil a new National Volunteer Strategy aimed at significantly increasing volunteerism in the United States. The initiative, to be presented at its annual conference on June 22, is the first phase of a $100 million plan to double the number of U.S. volunteers to 150 million by 2035.
Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO of Points of Light, stated that the strategy is crucial for building a more civil society and addressing critical issues like hunger and environmental concerns. The plan includes investments in infrastructure and the development of standards for both volunteers and nonprofits, addressing a gap identified during a year-long 'listening tour'.
This effort comes at a challenging time for the nonprofit sector, which has faced declining volunteer rates exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and significant cuts to AmeriCorps under the Trump administration. While volunteerism saw a rebound in 2023, it remains below pre-pandemic levels.
UPS has expressed support for the initiative, citing its own success in increasing volunteer hours, which demonstrably improved employee retention and pride. Cathy Scott, UPS vice president for social impact, noted that volunteerism benefits businesses by enhancing well-being, creating professional networks, and fostering a sense of purpose among employees.
The National Volunteer Strategy will focus on supporting nonprofit volunteer managers with tools and resources. Points of Light also plans to create a framework for volunteerism to clarify expectations between organizations and volunteers. A key future development will be engaging Gen Z and younger demographics, who have not traditionally embraced volunteering in the same way as previous generations.