Volunteer shortage leaves nonprofits in crisis.
Nonprofits are struggling to find volunteers, with formal volunteer participation dropping 7% between 2019 and 2021, according to a recent U.S. Census Bureau and AmeriCorps survey. The decline is attributed to factors such as the COVID-19 pandemic, economic woes, and changing demographics. Nonprofits are trying various strategies to recruit and retain volunteers, including seeking volunteers from within the communities they serve, offering clear outlines of commitment and skills needed, and building relationships with new volunteers. Companies are also prioritizing in-person volunteering again but are asking employees to take on a larger role in organizing and choosing programs. AmeriCorps has opened its yearly grant program to award $8 million to help nonprofits recruit and retain volunteers.