In a bold move to transform civic engagement in the U.S., Points of Light has announced a $100 million initiative to double national volunteer participation by 2035. The goal: increase the number of active volunteers from 75 million to 150 million.
Founded by President George H.W. Bush, Points of Light has long championed service. But this new effort reflects a deeper urgency. At a time when volunteer rates have stagnated—and federal funding for programs like AmeriCorps has been cut—the organization is taking a strong stand to reignite volunteerism.
Why Now?
Volunteer participation is facing real challenges. Economic strain, limited time, and outdated systems have made it harder for people to get involved. Meanwhile, nonprofits across the country are struggling to fill roles.
The campaign comes with a new vision: treat volunteering as essential infrastructure. This includes expanding digital platforms to help people find service opportunities, creating more flexible roles, and building support systems for organizations that rely on volunteer power.
Youth & Innovation
One of the key focus areas is young people. Many Gen Zers want to help—but don’t always feel welcome in traditional institutions. By tailoring opportunities around their interests and availability, Points of Light hopes to connect this emerging generation with causes they care about.
In the words of Points of Light CEO Diane Quest, this is about more than numbers:
“We’re not just aiming for more volunteers. We’re building a movement that makes service a natural part of everyday life.”
What This Means for Volunteer Development
As a Human Services Professional committed to growing volunteer engagement, I’m encouraged by this ambitious push. It acknowledges that volunteers don’t just appear—they’re invited, supported, and empowered.
For mission-driven organizations, this is a moment to rethink how we recruit and retain volunteers. Are our roles flexible enough? Are we using the right tools to reach people? Do our systems truly value service?
Points of Light is expected to build a coalition of over 80 national nonprofits in support of the campaign. Together, they’ll advocate for better infrastructure, tech support, and cultural change around civic action.
Let’s hope it sparks the momentum we need.
Learn more about this initiative at pointsoflight.org.
Interested in exploring how your organization can expand volunteer engagement? Reach out to Tracy Ingersoll today.
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