10 Volunteering Trends Of The Future

Volunteering is undergoing a powerful transformation. From digital tools to different generational values, volunteering of the future will look different from today.

If you have any kind of volunteering program (and especially if you depend on it at your organization), you need to stay on top of the most important trends. With that in mind, below we cover ten volunteering trends of the future and what their implications might be.

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10 Volunteering Trends To Prepare For

1) Digital Volunteering

As with remote work, the shift toward digital volunteering is here to stay. Virtual roles allow people to contribute regardless of location. This not only makes volunteering more inclusive, but more scalable for organizations as well.

The result? People can support causes that they care about – without ever leaving their home. This shift allows nonprofits to access a broader, more diverse volunteer base. This is great for both volunteers and the organizations that bring them on.

2) Micro-Volunteering

The volunteers of the next few years will crave flexibility. They will still want to contribute, but with people working longer hours and pursuing advanced degrees, they won’t have so much time. This is where the trend that we call “micro-volunteering” comes in.

Think ultra-short tasks that can be completed in under an hour, or projects that have extended deadlines. Things like tagging wildlife photos for research, transcribing documents, or translating short texts. These are all important but likely don’t require too much time, which allows people to fit them into their busy lives. 

3) AI + Automation

Artificial intelligence is gradually changing how volunteer programs are designed and delivered. This includes everything from algorithms that pair volunteers with suitable roles, to chatbots that handle administrative tasks like onboarding and scheduling.

This kind of technology can greatly reduce administrative friction, as well as automate repetitive, time-consuming tasks that slow things down. This frees things up for an organization’s workers. They will then be able to focus more of their time on deeper engagement – a great thing for everybody involved.

4) Hyper-Personalization

You know how Netflix gives you a curated list of recommendations based on what you’ve watched? This is hyper personalization – and it’s one of the volunteering trends you should pay attention to. 

Volunteers want to give their time in ways that align with their skills and values. With hyper-personalization, finding these opportunities will be easier. Organizations that are open to running ads (or simply take segmentation seriously) will be able to put their message in front of the right people. This will make it possible to bring in the perfect candidate at the perfect time. What that means for you? Higher quality volunteer programs – and more satisfied volunteers. 

5) The Volunteer Identity

Younger people (particularly “Gen Z”) aren’t just volunteering for the experience. Rather, they’re rethinking what it means to engage with causes. For them, volunteering is less about checking a box and more about being part of a change. 

One volunteering trend to be on the lookout for is how engaged younger people are. The fact is, the new generation is values-driven, and expects purpose in everything they do. We also see this same behavior in the way young people engage with companies. They prefer organizations that are transparent about their impact and inclusive in their operations.

6) Corporate Volunteering

Companies are no longer treating volunteering as a feel-good perk. Instead, it’s being woven into the typical experience of more and more employees. Consider developments like employee engagement, DEI efforts, and corporate social responsibility strategies. These all point to one truth: companies are not only taking volunteering more seriously, but want their employees to get involved too.

This will take a number of different forms. Here are a few things we predict: 

• Paid volunteer hours
• Skills-based service programs
• Team-based initiatives aligned with business values

This volunteering trend can be quite beneficial to companies. As employees increasingly look for meaning at work, businesses that take social impact seriously will have a competitive edge in attracting and retaining top talent.

7) Skills-Based Volunteering

Like any industry, volunteering positions will continue to get more competitive. This means that volunteers will begin to bring more valuable skills that benefit the organization hiring them.

This volunteering trend is a tricky one. While more skilled volunteers are obviously great for organizations, they make it more difficult for entry level volunteers. The choice is really up to the hiring manager: only taking on highly skilled volunteers, or giving less experienced people a chance as well. There are benefits to both. 

8) Pathways To Employment / Education

In the next decade, the gig economy and prevalence of nontraditional employment will continue to grow. This will build up more acceptance of volunteering as a career-building experience. 

There are a few knock on effects to be aware of with this fundraising trend. First, more people will get involved in volunteering. This will include everyone from students to recent grads to career changers. In addition, as a result of employers that look more favorably on volunteering experience, the hiring process will likely change to reflect that.

9) Immersive Technology

Technologies like virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) will continue to gain popularity. This is largely because the cost of the technology will continue to drop. This volunteering trend will allow nonprofits to get more creative with their marketing. 

Imagine a VR experience where you can (virtually) walk through a refugee camp, or AR that allows you to train in disaster response scenarios. This kind of technology not only builds more empathy among volunteers – but prepares them more effectively for any potential role.

10) Emphasis On Data

Volunteers increasingly want to know that their time actually matters. The way to measure this is through the right tools, and organizations will likely start to use them more frequently.

This can mean a number of things. It’s likely that more organizations will start to invest money in advanced software. They will also make an effort to show the exact effect they have had (total number of meals served, trees planted, etc.). This trend towards tracking more data aligns with founders who demand accountability and transparency.

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