VMPC Pro-D Workshop | Volunteer Engagement 360: The Competencies You Need to Thrive - Presented by Faiza Venzant, CCVA

Volunteerism at a Tipping Point

Canada's nonprofit and charitable sector relies heavily on volunteers to deliver frontline services, from hospital support to seniors' care and food distribution. Recent Statistics Canada data reveal a stark decline: formal volunteering fell from 41% of the population in 2018 to 32% in 2023, while informal volunteering dropped from 74% to 66%. This translates to a loss of roughly 1.2 billion volunteer hours over five years, equivalent to hundreds of thousands of full-time positions and billions in economic value.

The post-pandemic landscape has amplified these trends. Economic pressures, including rising living costs, have priced many out of participation, while aging demographics mean traditional volunteers are retiring without sufficient replacements. Nonprofits report acute shortages—some hospitals and clinics need thousands more volunteers annually—yet recruitment and retention remain challenging amid demands for flexible, short-term, or skills-based roles.

The Council for Certification in Volunteer Administration (CCVA) maintains a competency framework outlining seven core areas for effective volunteer leadership, including strategic planning, advocacy, onboarding, preparation, documentation, performance management, and recognition. These standards address a professional field that is increasingly critical but often under-resourced and undervalued. Leaders in volunteer administration face tensions between maintaining rigorous risk management and enabling inclusive, accessible engagement, particularly as equity initiatives push for broader participation without diluting program quality.

With 2026 designated by the United Nations as International Volunteer Year, Canada has a focused window to rebuild. Initiatives like Volunteer Canada's National Volunteer Action Strategy consultations highlight needs for better infrastructure, stipends to offset costs, trauma-informed approaches, and recognition of volunteer managers as essential roles. Failure to adapt risks deepening service gaps in healthcare, community support, and social inclusion, especially under ongoing economic strain.