US National Volunteer Strategy
The goals and opportunities that follow are intended to provide a shared direction for strengthening volunteering in the United States over the next decade.
What is the US National Volunteer Strategy?
Points of Light is launching the National Volunteer Strategy as the next step in Reimagining Service 2035, a bold effort to reinvigorate and double volunteering in America over the next decade. This is about more than participation. It is about creating opportunities for people to deepen community connection, work across differences, and contribute to real challenges communities face.
At a time when many people feel disconnected from one another, from institutions and from civic life, volunteering can help rebuild trust, strengthen belonging and create shared responsibility. But for volunteering to meet this moment, the systems around it must evolve. The National Volunteer Strategy provides a shared roadmap for nonprofits, businesses, schools, faith communities, governments, and individuals to make volunteering more meaningful and more accessible for everyone.
This strategy honors the millions of people already giving their time and talent to help communities thrive. It also challenges what’s possible when the volunteer ecosystem has the infrastructure, investment, coordination and modern approaches it needs. Join us in building a stronger future for volunteering, and a stronger future for communities
across the country.
The Strategic Framework
The National Volunteer Strategy is organized around three interconnected areas that together help explain what it takes for purposeful volunteering to thrive: a thriving ecosystem, transformative impact, and meaningful engagement.
A Thriving Ecosystem
The systems, leadership, infrastructure, investment, and partnerships needed to support volunteer engagement over time.
Learn MoreTransformative Impact
Stronger communities where people are more connected, needs are better met, and change is increasingly shaped by those closest to it.
Learn MoreMeaningful Engagement
Volunteer experiences that are relational, flexible, and responsive to people’s lives and community priorities.
Learn MoreDownload Guides
The National Volunteer Strategy is a shared roadmap, but every organization has a different role to play. These guides offer a practical starting point for various stakeholders to identify which strategy goals and opportunities align with your work, where you can contribute, and how you can help strengthen volunteering over the next decade.
Ready to Take Action?
The National Volunteer Strategy is as much about amplifying what's already working as it is about creating something new. Share an initiative, partnership, or example - your own or someone else's - that could inspire learning and action across the field.
Our Process
The National Volunteer Strategy was developed over 18 months through a multi phase research, listening, and co design process led by Points of Light in partnership with stakeholders across the volunteer ecosystem.
18
Months
Of multi-phase research, listening, and co-design
23
Round Tables
Cross -sector roundtables and focus groups
270
Leaders
Leaders across nonprofit, corporate, 270 government, faith, youth, technology, academic and community sectors
2,200
Responses
Survey responses that helped inform strategy design
Toward Purposeful Volunteerism: A Theory of Change
Purposeful volunteering requires intention. This theory of change shows how, when designed well, volunteering creates positive outcomes for volunteers, organizations, communities, and society.
The National Volunteer Strategy is the roadmap for making those conditions a reality. Its framework and goals outline how we can work together to strengthen volunteering and create more opportunities for people to engage in purposeful service.