In advance of the 2025 Budget, we urge the Ontario Government to take decisive action to fully engage the vast potential of volunteers across Ontario. We are not facing a volunteer shortage, but an engagement crisis. Now is the time to invest in volunteer centres, empower volunteer managers, and support volunteer leaders who are the backbone of our communities. By reinvesting in volunteerism across Ontario, the Provincial government will help build a healthier, more resilient, and more connected Ontario—one where the invaluable contributions of volunteers are not only recognized but also nurtured.

Ontario is facing an epidemic of social isolation. Yet, research shows giving back to your community has been proven to increase social connections, leading to longer lifespans and increased functioning for those who volunteer. At the same time, volunteering opens doors to gain skills and access to opportunities that prepare people for the labour market and paid roles—especially for many youth and newcomers who represent a majority of current volunteer seekers.  However, Ontario is grappling with a volunteer engagement crisis leaving many volunteers waiting but never hearing back regarding their application. This comes at the same time that that 75% of non-profits and charities report challenges recruiting new volunteers and 20% of organizations report a volunteer management skills shortage. Investment in volunteer management is key to increasing the volunteer labour force of non-profit organizations and addressing Ontario’s engagement crisis.

Uplifting and investing in volunteer centres, non-profits, volunteer managers, grassroots leaders, volunteer seekers and all Ontarians who benefit from the contributions of volunteers both for their own well-being and that of our community.

In Volunteer Toronto’s submission, we reinforce the essential role of investing in volunteer engagement in Ontario.
We urge the province to:

Action #1: Create a multi-year funding stream to hire and upskill volunteer managers. Volunteer management is a skill of the future—we will continue to rely on volunteer labour in the non-profit sector for decades to come. We are missing out on the labour, skills and compassion of volunteers in Ontario if we do not invest in our systems of engagement, such as volunteer managers and volunteer centres. Doing so will enable non-profits across Ontario to engage the thousands of people who are currently trying to volunteer.

Action #2: Create funding streams to empower Ontarians to lead in their own communities. As non-profits struggle to engage volunteers, people are looking for ways to volunteer informally in their own neighbourhoods, like running a sports tournament, art workshop, fundraiser, or community BBQ. These local-based grassroots initiatives are highly effective at inviting isolated people back into community spaces.

Action #3: Create a home in government for charities and non-profits. The Ontario Volunteer Centre Network endorses the Ontario Nonprofit Network’s 2025 pre-budget submission asking the Province to enable a whole-of-government approach for Ontario’s 58,000 non-profits and charities. More specifically, we ask for a secretariate for volunteerism that will leverage the potential for engaging, recognizing, and mobilizing volunteers for cross-ministerial functions.

About Volunteer Toronto

Volunteer Toronto is Ontario’s largest volunteer centre with over 50 years of experience connecting volunteers to the causes that need them. Our services empower local volunteers to find opportunities that make a positive difference in their community. Through in-person and online training, we also educate and uplift non-profit organizations and grassroots groups to run successful volunteer programs.  https://www.volunteertoronto.ca

Volunteer Toronto is also a Steering Committee member for the Ontario Volunteer Centre Network (OVCN). As a network, we strengthen the individual and collective ability of Volunteer Centres in Ontario, to promote, support and enhance volunteerism.