The Future of Volunteering: Emerging Trends and Predictions

The Future of Volunteering: Emerging Trends & Predictions

As we look toward the horizon of the next decade, it’s clear that volunteering – the act of offering one’s skills and time freely to benefit others – is undergoing significant transformation. New technologies, shifting societal norms, and global crises are reshaping the landscape of volunteering. From the emergence of virtual volunteering to innovative platforms connecting volunteers worldwide, let’s delve into the exciting future of this vital human endeavour.

1. The Rise of Virtual Volunteering

The COVID-19 pandemic catapulted the world into a digital era faster than anyone could have predicted. In a world of social distancing, volunteering has adapted by going virtual. Online platforms, like UN Volunteers, allow individuals to contribute their skills to NGOs and government institutions worldwide. For instance, a designer in Spain can help an environmental organization in Kenya create promotional materials, all through a virtual collaboration.

Inspired by Microsoft’s CEO, Satya Nadella, one might say: “Just as we’ve seen technology transform industries and workplaces, there’s untapped potential for digital tools to revolutionize volunteering. The key is to leverage these advancements in a way that empowers every volunteer to achieve more.” This trend opens up possibilities for individuals who may not be able to commit to in-person volunteering due to location, health, or time constraints and is expected to increase in the future.

2. Virtual Community Platforms

Beyond facilitating individual volunteers, technology has also created new opportunities for volunteer community building. Platforms such as VolunteerMatch, Idealist, and Points of Light, and even more focused platforms like GivePulse, make it easier for volunteers to connect with opportunities and each other.

In the spirit of Facebook’s COO, Sheryl Sandberg: “We’ve seen technology connect people in ways we couldn’t have imagined a few decades ago. Applying this power of connection to volunteering, we can build stronger communities and inspire change at an unprecedented scale.” These platforms enable users to filter opportunities by cause, location, and skills, creating a personalized volunteering experience. Moving forward, these platforms are expected to leverage AI to match volunteers to opportunities even more effectively.

3. Skills-Based Volunteering

Another trend that will continue into the future is the growth of skills-based volunteering. Platforms like Catchafire connect professionals who want to donate their skills with non-profit organizations who need them. A social media expert in the United States, for example, can help a non-profit in India develop their social media strategy and train their staff remotely. This trend provides organizations with valuable resources while offering volunteers an opportunity to build their resumes and make meaningful contributions.

4. Corporate Volunteering

Corporate social responsibility is becoming standard practice. Companies like Salesforce provide employees with seven days of paid volunteer time off each year, and they offer grants to organizations where employees volunteer regularly. As companies continue to see the benefits, we can expect corporate volunteering to become even more popular.

5. Youth and Volunteering

The rise of youth volunteers is a notable trend. Gen Z, coming of age, proves to be a socially conscious generation. Platforms like DoSomething.org offer a variety of campaigns that youth can participate in, ranging from reducing e-waste to promoting mental health awareness.

6. Social Impact Investing

Finally, the intersection of philanthropy and investing is expected to impact volunteering. Social impact investing, as demonstrated by organizations like Root Capital, involves investments made to generate a measurable, beneficial social or environmental impact alongside a financial return.

Technology’s role in volunteering is not merely about digitization. It’s about disruption, about fundamentally changing the way we contribute to society, making our efforts more effective, more targeted, and more transformative. As more wealth is directed towards social impact investing, it’s likely we will see an increased demand for volunteers to support these initiatives. 

In conclusion, as we look to the future of volunteering, it’s clear that we’re heading towards a more connected, flexible, and socially conscious era. The continued growth of virtual volunteering, the use of community platforms, the rise of skills-based volunteering, the importance of corporate volunteering, and the power of youth and social impact investing all point to a dynamic and evolving landscape. As individuals and organizations, it’s a thrilling time to be part of the volunteering world.