WASHINGTON — A nationwide effort to strengthen civic engagement and expand volunteer participation is taking shape as Points of Light prepares to launch its National Volunteer Strategy, an initiative designed to double the number of Americans who volunteer by 2035.
The nonprofit organization, founded by former President George H.W. Bush to promote service and civic responsibility, announced the strategy as the first phase of a broader $100 million effort to increase volunteer participation from approximately 75 million people to 150 million over the next decade.
According to Points of Light President and CEO Jennifer Sirangelo, the initiative seeks to address a growing disconnect between Americans who want to serve their communities and nonprofit organizations struggling to engage and retain volunteers.
“We believe that volunteering changes everything,” Sirangelo told The Associated Press. “It changes the people who serve. It uplifts the community. And we know that collectively it can change our society.”
The strategy arrives at a critical moment for the nonprofit sector. Organizations across the country continue to face staffing shortages, increased demand for services, and reduced volunteer participation following the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, many nonprofits have been impacted by recent reductions in federal service programs, creating additional challenges for community organizations that rely on volunteer support.
Points of Light spent more than a year gathering input through national surveys, advisory councils, and roundtable discussions with leaders from business, government, faith communities, youth organizations, and nonprofit sectors. The resulting framework focuses on strengthening volunteer infrastructure, supporting volunteer managers, modernizing volunteer engagement systems, and creating clearer standards and expectations for both volunteers and organizations.
The organization believes improved support systems will help nonprofits create more meaningful volunteer experiences while making it easier for individuals to connect with opportunities that align with their interests and skills.
A significant component of the strategy centers on engaging younger generations. Research conducted during the planning process found strong interest among Gen Z in community involvement, but many young people face barriers to traditional volunteer pathways or seek more flexible opportunities to contribute.
The initiative also emphasizes the role volunteerism can play in addressing broader societal challenges, including loneliness, social isolation, and declining civic trust. Through expanded partnerships and community-based solutions, Points of Light hopes to create a more accessible and inclusive culture of service.
The effort builds upon the organization’s broader “Making Purpose Possible” campaign, which aims to reignite civic participation and strengthen community connections through volunteer service.
For communities across America, the initiative represents more than a volunteer recruitment effort. It reflects a growing recognition that service remains one of the most effective ways to bring people together across differences while addressing local needs.
“Heartitude begins when people recognize that even small acts of service can create extraordinary change,” said Heartitude Founder Bruce Petillo. “When communities make room for people to contribute their time, talents, and compassion, everyone benefits. Volunteerism remains one of the most powerful expressions of human connection.”
As Points of Light begins implementing the National Volunteer Strategy, nonprofit leaders and community organizations nationwide will be watching closely to see whether a renewed focus on service can help strengthen both local communities and the social bonds that connect them.