Igniting Connection — Volunteer Toronto’s 2026-2029 Strategic Plan — sets a bold course for the future of volunteerism at a time when communities need it most. As volunteering declines, social isolation rises, and non-profits face increasing pressure, Volunteer Toronto is expanding its leadership role to strengthen civic participation, build more connected communities, and create equitable pathways for people to contribute. Grounded in a year of community engagement, research, and strategic consultation, the plan outlines how Volunteer Toronto will deepen its impact, broaden its influence, and help shape a stronger future for volunteerism across Toronto, the Greater Toronto Area, and beyond.   "At a time when communities are navigating growing challenges and opportunities, Volunteer Toronto is choosing to lead with focus, ambition, and purpose. This strategy charts a path to deepen our impact, strengthen the volunteer ecosystem, and build the partnerships and capacity needed to help communities thrive for years to come." —Sushma Narisetty, Chair, Board of Directors   "Strong communities depend on people having meaningful ways to contribute, connect, and belong. This strategy reflects Volunteer Toronto's ambition to continue evolving the volunteer centre model; strengthening our role as a connector, convener, and catalyst for community participation. Through that evolution, we aim to unlock the full potential of volunteerism as a force for connection, belonging, and community resilience at a time when those things have never mattered more." —Joanne McKiernan, Executive Director Volunteer Toronto's 2026-2029 Strategic Priorities     Reach and Influence positions Volunteer Toronto as a regional hub and provincial backbone for volunteerism, strengthening collaboration and collective capacity across the Greater Toronto Area and Ontario. Read more about this priority in our blog.    Decent Volunteerism is about advancing ethical, safe, and inclusive volunteer engagement by setting standards, shifting narratives, and supporting practices that protect dignity, accountability, and trust across the volunteer ecosystem. Read more about this priority in our blog.   Connected Communities rebuilds and reimagines participation by using volunteering as a catalyst for belonging, strengthening pathways to connection where isolation, disengagement, and access barriers are most acute. Read more about this priority in our blog.     About Volunteer Toronto   Volunteer Toronto is Canada’s largest volunteer centre with 50 years of experience connecting volunteers to the organizations 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 help non-profit organizations and community groups run successful volunteer programs. Our Mission Volunteer Toronto increases the positive impact that volunteering has on the City of Toronto through innovative initiatives that inspire, inform, and connect volunteers and the organizations that need them. Our Vision We envision a Toronto that is caring, inclusive, and engaged where volunteering is an important avenue through which everyone has the opportunity to participate and contribute meaningfully.

Questions? With the media? Contact:

Cara Eaton 
Senior Director, Strategy & Growth
ceaton@volunteertoronto.ca
416-961-6888 ext. 231

Questions? Contact:

Olivia Sonnenberg
Manager, Marketing & Communications
osonnenberg@volunteertoronto.ca

Questions? With the media? Contact:

Cara Eaton 
Senior Director, Strategy & Growth
ceaton@volunteertoronto.ca
416-961-6888 ext. 231

Questions? With the media? Contact:

Cara Eaton 
Senior Director, Strategy & Growth
ceaton@volunteertoronto.ca
416-961-6888 ext. 231

Questions? With the media? Contact:

Cara Eaton 
Senior Director, Strategy & Growth
ceaton@volunteertoronto.ca
416-961-6888 ext. 231

Questions? With the media? Contact:

Cara Eaton 
Senior Director, Strategy & Growth
ceaton@volunteertoronto.ca
416-961-6888 ext. 231

Questions? With the media? Contact:

Cara Eaton
Senior Director, Strategy & Growth
ceaton@volunteertoronto.ca
416-961-6888 ext. 231

Police checks, also called criminal background checks or criminal record checks, are a tool that could be part of your screening process. There are multiple types of police checks that meet different needs, but it’s important to remember that they are not a one-size-fits-all solution to risk concerns! Check out our resources featured here to help you learn about police checks, determine which is needed, and understand processes and barriers:

What Types of Police Check are Available?

Want to learn more about each type of police check? Explore our new resource:
Does this Volunteer Role Require Police Check?

Which Police Check is Needed?

If you’re wondering which police check you need for each volunteer role, we have a new interactive decision tool to help you determine the right path, or click here.

How Does the Toronto Police Service Online Request Platform Work?

We’ve prepared two “how-to” guides for the Toronto Police Service online request platform:

• For volunteer managers
• For volunteers
  

Is Requesting a Police Check the Right Thing to Do?

In our blog post “Do You Really Need a Police Check? Advancing Equity in Volunteer Screening”, we break down the barriers that police check requests create and the high cost to volunteers and organizations.

In 2025, we also asked volunteers and volunteer managers who paid for Vulnerable Sector Checks. Here are the results:

Selected Comments

• “This is an awkward situation because I have found that the volunteer can be hesitant to ask for reimbursement. It would be better if the organization paid.”
• "I believe a Vulnerable Sector Check should be free for the general public, as it is required by the Act, not an organization's policy, nor volunteers themselves.”
• “We used to submit the application forms for volunteers and attached the payment cheque issued by the organization. With the new online system, we ask volunteers to pay first, and we'll reimburse them after they get started.”
• “We are given the option to "donate" the cost of the Vulnerable Sector Check or the organization is happy to pay for it too.”
• “I think it is good policy for the organization to pay. Some volunteers may not be able to afford to pay, even if they will be reimbursed.”

Link to Data

Questions? With the Media? Contact:

Sammy Feilchenfeld, CVA
Senior Manager, Learning
sfeilchenfeld@volunteertoronto.ca
416-961-6888 ext. 229

Questions? With the media? Contact:

Cara Eaton 
Senior Director, Strategy & Growth
ceaton@volunteertoronto.ca
416-961-6888 ext. 231

November 2025

The holidays are a great time to get involved, but did you know that many organizations need support beyond the holidays, year-round? Becoming a volunteer, especially in the winter season, can create a huge impact. Supporting vulnerable populations and those who may need some extra support this season is an impactful way to make a difference. There are so many ways to get involved. Pick your favourite option, or two, or three and get started as a volunteer this holiday season! Here are a few ways you can get involved.

🗓️ Attend An Info Session: How to Volunteer For the Winter Holidays ❄️
In collaboration with the Toronto Public Library, join us to learn about the various ways you can get involved and give back during the holiday season and beyond. Discover how to start your volunteering journey this winter, how to plan and get involved as a volunteer, where to find opportunities and what to expect as you apply.

You’ll also discover thousands of free online resources through the Toronto Public Library to help you learn more about the city, make community connections, and access other helpful support services. This session is great for youth, newcomers and seniors and anyone who wants to make a positive impact on our city this winter.

This session is free, walk-ins are welcome. and no registration is required to attend. Pick your session below and click "Remind Me" to receive an email reminder for the session:

- Monday, November 10, 2025 | 6:30pm - 7:30pm | TPL - Scarborough Civic Centre Branch

- Tuesday, December 2, 2025 | 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm | Virtual Session via Zoom

- Thursday, December 4, 2025 | 6:30pm - 7:30pm | TPL - Don Mills Branch

💙 Micro-volunteering: Small Acts of Kindness, Big Change 🧡
- Donate or volunteer at Daily Bread Food Bank to support food security in our community.
- Support seniors and other vulnerable populations by volunteering with WoodGreen.
- Organize a coat and winter clothing drive in your community, donating the items to a local shelter (Find organizations in need, and items most urgently needed here).
- Make a care kit for the homeless with items like socks, deodorant, mittens and snacks—give them out directly or donate them to your local shelter or drop-in. (Find organizations in need, and items most urgently needed here).
- Drop off thank you cards for volunteers at community centres in your neighbourhood.
- Donate or Volunteer with Animal Services Toronto!
- Give the gift of life by donating blood.

Share your holiday volunteering or acts of kindness on social media (and tag @VolunteerToronto for a chance to be reposted!) and encourage others to give back too!

🌎 Other Ways to Give Back: Help Your Neighbours This Season 🌨️
Give back to your neighbours on the grassroots level! Small acts of kindness, or ‘micro-volunteering,” can create a large impact! Some ways you could get involved include:

- Look out for neighbours who may require help raking leaves or shovelling snow
- Pick up garbage or litter at a clean-up event, or even as you are on a walk!
- Donate lightly used items like clothing or furniture to shelters or those in need.
- Share positive and uplifting thoughts and words with those around you
- Promote peace and be a catalyst for change!

🎁 Or... Donate Instead 💝
United Way of Greater Toronto
Volunteer Toronto is grateful to the United Way of Greater Toronto for its ongoing commitment to non-profits and volunteer  centres . A financial contribution to the United Way is one of the most meaningful ways you can support response initiatives in Toronto.  Donate Here

Questions? Contact info@volunteertoronto.ca

🖥️ Need help finding a volunteer role? Please contact our Volunteer Advisors!

Questions? With the media? Contact:

Cara Eaton 
Senior Director, Strategy & Growth
ceaton@volunteertoronto.ca
416-961-6888 ext. 231

Questions? With the media? Contact:

Cara Eaton 
Senior Director, Strategy & Growth
ceaton@volunteertoronto.ca
416-961-6888 ext. 231

Our latest Annual Report, Connecting Community (2024-2025), is available as of September 25, 2025. Over the past year, we have been involved in numerous projects, efforts, and advocacy endeavours, collaborating with multiple community partners to engage the public and create change through civic engagement. Access the report here to learn about our capacity building, community mobilization, special projects, partnerships, financials and more!

A big shoutout to our incredible volunteers for contributing to our programs, communications, and community efforts throughout the past year!

• Volunteer Advisors
• Ambassadors
• Community Outreach
• Digital Receptionists
• Copywriters
• Posting Support Assistants
• Zoom Support Volunteers
• and Board Members.
  
  

“The pandemic has driven profound changes in how we resource and deliver our services, prompting a renewed focus on what truly matters and creating an imperative to build back better. As we conclude our five-year strategic plan, we reflect on the spark ignited in this journey and the ongoing need to sustain our collective energy to drive positive transformation. Our commitment to systemic change in volunteerism, first sparked in 2020, remains unwavering. We are determined to continue until we realize the change we know is needed."

— Sushma Narisetty, Board Chair, and Joanne McKiernan, Executive Director

With our 2024-2025 Annual Report, we’re also sharing program highlights about how volunteers are getting involved—and how this impacts our greater community.

Highlights include:

• 68,460 volunteers gave 1.85 million hours to local causes in our network of non-profits.
• 16x more volunteers are engaged by non-profits that have a dedicated volunteer manager.
• 250 Volunteer Managers were trained on Decent Volunteerism.
• 1,594 non-profits accessed our capacity building services in 2024-2025
• 3,800+ non-profit staff engaged in our programs
• 65% of subscribers are considered grassroots groups.
• 25,000+ volunteer role types posted on our portal in 2024-2025
• 534,760 searches for roles on our portal
• 35,399 visits to our High School Volunteer Resource webpage.
• 2,000+ Members of the public supported through our Volunteer Advisor program.

Questions? With the media? Contact:

Cara Eaton 
Senior Director, Strategy & Growth
ceaton@volunteertoronto.ca
416-961-6888 ext. 231

Questions? With the media? Contact:

Cara Eaton 
Senior Director, Strategy & Growth
ceaton@volunteertoronto.ca
416-961-6888 ext. 231

On July 9, 2025, the Toronto Sun highlighted Tayyaba Shazad and volunteerism as a part of their How Canada Wins series. This series highlights what makes community unique and special within Canada. Excerpts from the article are included below:

Tayyaba Shahzad is one of the founders of Weaving Threads, a Toronto-based collective working toward engaging diverse youth through art. Weaving Threads works to make art more accessible, [for example], through a scrapbooking workshop [that took place last summer] for QTBIPOC youth. The workshop gave youth a chance to reflect, connect, de-stress, and engage in the art of memory preservation and expression. Weaving Threads is a micro-grantee recipient that participated in Volunteer Toronto and Toronto Foundation’s Power of Us campaign.

Joanne McKiernan, Volunteer Toronto’s Executive Director, said while not everyone sees themselves as volunteers, many people have supported a neighbour, gave their time to a cause or taken part in community life that helped others.

“Volunteering is woven into the fabric of who we are — as a city, a province, and a country, it powers our non-profit sector and brings our communities to life through programs, events and everyday acts of care.”

Read the full article on the Toronto Sun’s website here.

Support Volunteer Toronto’s campaign to raise more funds for microgrants here.

“Showing up for each other builds the kind of support network we all rely on in times of need,” says Joanne, “volunteering isn’t just about giving back — it’s about building the community we want to live in.”

Questions? With the media? Contact:

Cara Eaton 
Senior Director, Strategy & Growth
ceaton@volunteertoronto.ca
416-961-6888 ext. 231

Throughout summer 2025, Volunteer Toronto and Volunteer Canada have come together to produce an inspirational video storytelling series called Wisdom Through Generations: Stories of Community Involvement — showcasing four older adults and their community participation over decades.

In each video, elder storytellers share their journeys, lived experiences, and advice for younger generations looking to be active members of their community. They share how they have been involved, showcasing the diversity of ways you can be an active member of your community through all stages of life. From mutual aid to caregiving, fundraising to donating, volunteering to advocacy— our storytellers highlight that all forms of participation are important and valid.

“Volunteering takes many forms. Not everyone calls themselves a ‘volunteer’—in many cultures, helping out is simply part of community life,” says Joanne McKiernan, Executive Director of Volunteer Toronto.  

“Our involvement shifts as life changes, and that’s okay. These stories from our elders remind us that showing up for community matters at every stage of life—even if it looks different over time.”

Volunteer Toronto and Volunteer Canada plan to release one storyteller video each month between June – September 2025. All stories will be released through the project’s micro-site here and across social media.

The first video in the series, featuring Lydia Brown, is available now and can be watched on Youtube in English and French.

As an immigrant to Canada, Lydia was born and raised in Jamaica. Since she was young, Lydia was taught to understand the struggles and give back where she can, doing what she can. Now as an elder with over 16 grandchildren, Lydia reflects back on the different stages of her life, including her civic engagement and deep dedication to her family and greater community.

“These are stories of people finding purpose, building community, breaking down barriers, carving out spaces of belonging - and demonstrating the unique ways that they care.” Megan Conway, President and CEO of Volunteer Canada shares. “We hope that these stories remind everyone watching that any way they can get involved is the right way.”

Wisdom Across Generations is part of building Canada's National Volunteer Action Strategy. Find out how you can get involved and shape the future of community participation in Canada here. This project is generously supported by philanthropic funding from Waltons Trust and made possible with support from The Government of Canada ESDC and the Samuel Family Foundation. Thank you!

Questions? With the media? Contact:

Cara Eaton 
Senior Director, Strategy & Growth
ceaton@volunteertoronto.ca
416-961-6888 ext. 231

Toronto is Canada’s loneliest city — every day, Torontonians struggle to make connections that lead to friendships, support networks, and safer neighbourhoods. Without intervening, we will continue to be an isolated and disconnected city.

In response to the isolation crisis, in summer 2025, Volunteer Toronto is launching a fundraising campaign to raise $35,000 that will spark connections between Torontonians. Make a donation here. 

Donations to our Civic Spark Microgrant Fund will reduce social isolation in 2026 as Volunteer Toronto aims to provide $1,000 to 35 groups of neighbours who will deliver an event or initiative that connects people in their community. 

“Our Civic Spark Microgrants are a powerful antidote to loneliness—every single project in our pilot helped people make real, lasting connections. In a city still rebuilding after the isolation of COVID-19, this program is reigniting something essential: community. We’re calling on those who can help keep that spark alive by making a donation—one microgrant, one connection at a time.”

In 2024, Volunteer Toronto and the Toronto Foundation partnered to pilot the idea that with $1,000 and capacity building from Volunteer Toronto, small groups of neighbours could make a difference in their own community and draw people together to imagine and build a better future. These small groups hold the key to reducing isolation—they can reach residents that have been isolated for years, build trust with people in ways institutions can’t, and as volunteers, they are motivated to do something for their own community.

Some groups started clubs, community gardens or held block parties. Others ran healing circles, youth art exhibits and sustainability workshops. The initiatives were as diverse as the communities they engaged across Toronto. But one thing rang true—social isolation decreased. People met their neighbours, made friends, and reported feeling safer and supported.

With a $1,000 microgrant, and capacity building from Volunteer Toronto, 35 groups of neighbours delivered an initiative or event in 2024 to reduce social isolation—and it worked. Now, we want to do it again.

Volunteer Toronto is seeking $35,000 before the Civic holiday—August 4, 2025—to keep our Civic Spark Microgrant program going.

All funds donated will be directly distributed as 35 x $1,000 microgrants to small groups of neighbours in Toronto who will deliver an event or initiative in 2026 that directly reduces social isolation.

Volunteer Toronto's microgrant program was recently highlighted by the Toronto Star as a successful intervention to reducing social isolation in Toronto. Read an excerpt below:

It's hard to make friends in Toronto. These people are making some in Canada's loneliest city

Etobicoke grandmother Lydia Brown was grieving the death of a son during COVID when she decided to join a micro-funded group in Etobicoke, called Sistaz in Sound which offered tutorials on steel drums, and other activities, including beading and crochet, to encourage people to interact with one another. It ran over six weeks. She tried the drums and crochet and stuck around for the beading. She made new friends. She found someone to go to church with.

“I was nervous and shy, which I still am. I don’t feel alone as much as I did. If I have a problem, I have someone I can talk to." 

— Lydia Brown, Participant, Sistaz in Sound

Questions? Looking to make a major donation? Contact us! 

Cara Eaton
Senior Director, Strategy & Growth
ceaton@volunteertoronto.ca
416-961-6888 ext. 231

Divestment from enabling volunteerism has consequences. Right now, Canada needs more infrastructure to engage volunteers.

Volunteer Toronto is thrilled to publish a new opinion editorial (op-ed) via The Philanthropist Journal. Authored by Volunteer Toronto's Senior Director of Strategy & Growth, Cara Eaton, the op-ed unpacks the need for volunteer infrastructure and enablers, like volunteer centres, volunteer managers, grassroots leaders and community organizers to reanimate community participation.

Read the full op-ed here or an excerpt below:

“Some communities have volunteer centres. Others have service clubs or churches, recreation centres, or grassroots networks. Maybe there’s a volunteer manager – or someone called an organizer or advocate who plays that role without the title. The infrastructure looks different everywhere. But every community has enablers. How it happens can be beautifully unique and meaningful. Some might say magical....

But we do a disservice to those enablers when we pretend engagement just happens. When we thank only the volunteer, and not the person – or the infrastructure – that created the opportunity. We see this assumption all the time when companies ask for a turnkey volunteer day but aren’t willing to pay for the labour – often a volunteer manager’s time – required to design and deliver it.

Volunteering can’t be a defining part of our civic life, or our way of enabling a significant portion of our non-profit sector, unless we understand and support what it takes to make it real...

The number one complaint we hear from would-be volunteers? “I never heard back.” That’s not a signal of disinterest; it’s a sign that many non-profits no longer have the capacity to follow up, let alone cultivate long-term engagement. And we lose people before they’ve even had a chance to contribute....Enablers are the secret to civic engagement, the magicians behind the community activation wand that when wielded makes participation possible.

When non-profits have dedicated volunteer managers, they engage 16 times more volunteers than those without.

When governments fund local volunteer centres, communities and non-profits are better resourced with skilled, committed people. When grassroots leaders are uplifted with microgrants or training, our neighbourhoods come alive – reducing isolation and building resilience before the next crisis. We don’t need to invent something new. We just need to invest in the people and infrastructure already enabling connection so that volunteerism and civic participation can resurge in the unique ways each community needs.”

Questions? With the media? Contact:

Cara Eaton 
Senior Director, Strategy & Growth
ceaton@volunteertoronto.ca
416-961-6888 ext. 231

Questions? With the media? Contact:

Cara Eaton
Senior Director, Strategy & Growth
ceaton@volunteertoronto.ca
416-961-6888 ext. 231

On April 20, 2025, the Toronto Star highlighted tough decisions for Torontonians looking to volunteer who are also facing financial hardship in the current economic climate. Excerpts from the article are included below:

Joanne McKiernan, Volunteer Toronto’s Executive Director, knows the drop in volunteers is not because people have lost interest. With a global trade war escalating at a time when many were already facing a cost of living crisis, she understands that people who want to give their time are having to make a “tough” decision.

“There’s a privilege to having the time and capacity to participate in things that are not paid.”

While McKiernan and other personal financial advisers acknowledge that it can be overwhelming trying to prioritize making ends meet while also giving back to your community, they stress that there are ways to balance your desire to help with your need to take care of your own financial well-being...Volunteering an hour or two every week at your local food bank is incredibly generous — but it’s not always realistic.

The more important thing, McKiernan says, is to stay connected with your community to know what is needed when you’re ready to volunteer again.

“Read your city councillor emails. Attend a community event. Join a neighbourhood Facebook group. And when you feel that connection and you see those needs in the local community … get involved.”

Questions? With the media? Contact:

Cara Eaton 
Senior Director, Strategy & Growth
ceaton@volunteertoronto.ca
416-961-6888 ext. 231

On April 15th, 2025, Volunteer Toronto’s Director of Programs, Kasandra James, joined a group of thought leaders for a national conversation hosted by The Walrus Talks on Reimagining Volunteerism.

Kasandra's speech focused on prompting a new story for volunteerism in Canada—one that validates all forms of community making and civic engagement.

Read excerpts from Kasandra’s speech below:

“Volunteerism has been a winding pathway to social and economic integration for me and many others; I can trace my presence on this stage back through my story of volunteering. However, heartwarming stories of success cannot overshadow the convoluted, often broken, and sometimes harmful stories of volunteerism in the lives of newcomers, youth, Black and Indigenous communities, as well as other racialized groups, seniors and persons with disabilities..."

"Many communities practice community making in ways that look unfamiliar to someone who subscribes to the White, Anglo-colonial model of charity. Their practices don’t need formal processes or institutions, taxable donations or volunteer managers. They aren’t about the transfer of time and resources from those with more, to those with less, but rely on deep reciprocity, grounded in philosophies of “all my relations” and “ubuntu” and “collective liberation.”

"...Volunteer Toronto has been privileged to witness some of these models in recent years. In 2023, in partnership with Toronto Foundation, we were able to support 35 initiatives across the city of Toronto with $1000 microgrants. Our aim: to reduce isolation and build social connection in Canada’s loneliest city. These initiatives were led by community members who could see a need in their community and had an idea – but little to no resources. No applicants were required to have charitable number, provide a SIN number, or even be a formal organization; many groups made up their name during their application. As a result, we heard story after story of people coming together for their neighbours, their community, the stranger next door, helping the unseen to feel seen, the disconnected to experience belonging and creating opportunities to give back in meaningful ways..."

"And the lesson for us – people are ready to (re)build their communities; we just have to open the doors of opportunity. Volunteerism and philanthropy can provide the infrastructure necessary to resource and enable neighbourhood-level leadership.  If we are dedicated to championing volunteerism, we must begin the work of co-dreaming new systems of civic engagement that requires us to get out of the way of community action."

Watch Kasandra's full speech below: 

Access all of the Walrus Talks here (coming soon).

Questions? With the media? Contact:

Cara Eaton 
Senior Director, Strategy & Growth
ceaton@volunteertoronto.ca
416-961-6888 ext. 231

In the wake of Toronto Foundation 's social capital research indicating Toronto is Canada’s loneliest city, last year Volunteer Toronto gave out $35,000 in microgrants for projects led by small groups of neighbours. Projects included a queer swim club, a walking group for Ghanaian seniors, and a healing circle in Kensington Market—all focused-on rebuilding social relationships that were lost or damaged by COVID-19.

Read the full list of funded projects and groups here or hear from the recipients by watching the video below. 

“Torontonians have lost their social constellations—neighbours don't know neighbours, community event participation is down, and there are fewer people we feel we can call on for support when things get tough. But at Volunteer Toronto, we've discovered an intervention that overwhelmingly increases social connection. Our microgrants revealed that people do want to reconnect and make friends, they just need to be invited to participate in their community at the hyperlocal level. The key ingredient? We have to resource volunteer leaders in our communities to do the inviting!”

— Joanne McKiernan, Executive Director, Volunteer Toronto

Volunteer Toronto's microgrant program was recently highlighted by the Toronto Star as a successful intervention to reducing social isolation in Toronto. Read an excerpt below:

It's hard to make friends in Toronto. These people are making some in Canada's loneliest city

Etobicoke grandmother Lydia Brown was grieving the death of a son during COVID when she decided to join a micro-funded group in Etobicoke, called Sistaz in Sound which offered tutorials on steel drums, and other activities, including beading and crochet, to encourage people to interact with one another. It ran over six weeks. She tried the drums and crochet and stuck around for the beading. She made new friends. She found someone to go to church with.

“I was nervous and shy, which I still am. I don’t feel alone as much as I did. If I have a problem, I have someone I can talk to." 

— Lydia Brown, Participant, Sistaz in Sound

As we work to make Toronto a less lonely place, we hope to deliver more microgrants so grassroots leaders can continue to engage isolated Torontonians—and make new friends—in their neighbourhoods. If you’d like to support Volunteer Toronto’s delivery of microgrants, please consider a donation to our organization under our “Civic Spark Microgrants” here.

Questions? With the media? Contact:

Cara Eaton 
Senior Director, Strategy & Growth
ceaton@volunteertoronto.ca
416-961-6888 ext. 231

Volunteer Toronto is proud to announce that our Executive Director, Joanne McKiernan, has been presented with The King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of her exceptional leadership and dedication to fostering collaboration in the voluntary sector.

“Joanne’s vision and relentless drive have brought together diverse groups — volunteer centres, researchers, advocates, funders, non-profit leaders, and grassroots organizations — to advance the future of volunteerism. Her impact goes far beyond her role at Volunteer Toronto. Whether mobilizing thousands of volunteers during emergency responses or advocating for equitable access to volunteer opportunities, Joanne has left an indelible mark on the voluntary sector in Toronto, Ontario and across Canada. On behalf of our Board of Directors, staff and volunteer team, congratulations Joanne!”

— Sushma Narisetty, Board Chair of Volunteer Toronto

Over the last decade, Joanne McKiernan has inspired community, corporate and government partners to rally in support of volunteer-driven social change. Before joining Volunteer Toronto, she alongside thousands of organ and tissue transplant recipients and donor families, successfully doubling the number of registered organ and tissue donors in Ontario—a remarkable increase of nearly 2 million people.

Joanne’s extensive volunteer leadership includes serving as Board Chair for Community Development Halton, Co-Chair of the Toronto Nonprofit Network, and as a leader in the Halton Hills Active Easy Alliance.

In her current role as Executive Director of Volunteer Toronto, Joanne has led countless initiatives that unite community partners in pursuit of shared goals. She played a pivotal role in coordinating the Greater Toronto Area’s volunteer response to the COVID-19 pandemic, co-publishing a peer-reviewed academic paper on shifting trends in volunteer participation, and provided vital resources and spaces for volunteer managers to connect and collaborate. Through her work with the Ontario Volunteer Centre Network, she has also helped to elevate volunteerism at the provincial level, advocating for stronger recognition and support of the sector.

Megan Conway, President and CEO of Volunteer Canada, who nominated Joanne for this prestigious recognition, shares:

“Joanne’s leadership has shaped volunteerism not only in Toronto but across the region. Her work in bringing together partners, especially during challenging times, has transformed the landscape of volunteer engagement in Ontario.”

Congratulations to Joanne on receiving this well-deserved recognition for her unwavering commitment to collaboration and the voluntary sector.

✨ Please join us in congratulating Joanne! ✨

Questions? With the media? Contact:

Cara Eaton 
Senior Director, Strategy & Growth
ceaton@volunteertoronto.ca
416-961-6888 ext. 231

Volunteer Toronto is thrilled to announce that long-standing staff member and current Director of Programs, Kasandra James, has been recognized by the Bhayana Family Foundation for demonstrating exemplary leadership capabilities.

The Bhayana Family Foundation Awards recognize extraordinary contributions made by United Way Greater Toronto supported agencies and their employees. Front-line staff and middle managers are awarded for their dedication, innovation/creativity, leadership, teamwork and collaboration.

“Through her visionary leadership, Kasandra inspires those around her to challenge the status quo and drive meaningful transformation—not just within our organization, but across the broader community. She is reshaping how we view volunteerism, influencing volunteer managers and leaders to rethink and dismantle problematic systems preventing people from giving back.”

For nearly a decade, Kasandra has led several high-impact programs that create waves of change throughout volunteerism in Toronto and beyond. This includes advocating for youth voices to be heard, researching systemic Meals on Wheels volunteer shortages, leading major volunteer program audits, supporting volunteer managers to rebuild post-pandemic, and being a champion for barrier reduction in volunteer engagement.

Recently, Kasandra has led the development of “Decent Volunteerism,” a holistic learning initiative for non-profit leaders and volunteer managers that highlights exclusionary practices and provides actionable solutions. Her workshops, which explore inclusive recruitment and screening processes aligned with the Decent Work lens, have sparked real change across hundreds of organizations. Kasandra has delivered these sessions at provincial and national conferences, through webinars, and through partner organizations to build the capacity of food justice and Black-led organizations.

Kasandra was presented with a Bhayana Family Foundation Award at a ceremony held during Nonprofit Sector Appreciation Week on Wednesday, February 12th, alongside other recipients.

✨ Please join us in congratulating Kasandra!  ✨

Questions? With the media? Contact:

Cara Eaton 
Senior Director, Strategy & Growth
ceaton@volunteertoronto.ca
416-961-6888 ext. 231

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.

Questions? With the media? Contact:

Cara Eaton 
Senior Director, Strategy & Growth
ceaton@volunteertoronto.ca
416-961-6888 ext. 231