Earlier this year, United Way Centraide Canada’s President & CEO, Dan Clement, participated in a special panel discussion exploring the future of volunteerism in Canada.

Hosted by The People’s Social Impact Conference, the panel also featured Megan Conway, CEO of Volunteer Canada and Josephine Grey, President and Co-Founder of The St. James Town Community Co-Operative. The discussion was moderated by Melizia Mensah, Managing Director of Sisters in Solidarity.

The panelists engaged in a wide-ranging conversation highlighting the systemic challenges of managing sustainable volunteer programs, innovative solutions to building a more effective volunteer infrastructure, and what governments can do support a stronger future for volunteerism in Canada.

As we head into National Volunteer Week (NVW), April 27-May 3, 2025, a week where we recognize the critical contributions volunteers make everyday in the work of United Way Centraides because they create positive change in our communities by donating their time, skills, and energy, we thought we would share five key takeaways from the conversation brought forward by these thought leaders.

Funding and infrastructure challenges are putting volunteerism at risk

The panelists agreed that many community service organizations across Canada — those that rely heavily on volunteers to deliver vital supports and services — are struggling with significant underfunding when it comes to the infrastructure needed to manage thriving volunteer programs.

In the context of the United Way Centraide network, Dan noted that these challenges are leading to immense pressures and stress for local community service organizations.

People in Canada are facing increased pressure on their time

The panelists noted that in addition to a lack of investment in the infrastructure needed to manage volunteers, it’s also getting harder to recruit volunteers.

As the crises facing people in Canada deepen and take up more of their time and energy, research shows we’re feeling lonelier than ever — despite being more connected than ever due to technology.

Creating a system where people feel better supported to volunteer in their communities will not only help address social challenges but will help people feel more connected.

Bringing forward innovative solutions

The panelists agreed that innovative solutions are urgently required to ensure community service organizations can build strong and sustainable volunteer programs — and to help people find and remain in meaningful volunteer roles.

The United Way Centraide Canada’s National Labour Force Strategy — which is calling for greater investments in the stability and well-being of paid community services workers — is a complementary approach to strengthening volunteer programs by working from the inside out.

Calling on government for change

Asked what changes the three leaders would make to federal and provincial legislation if they had a magic wand, the answers were specific and diverse.

Dan shared that he would change government funding systems to be more manageable for community service organizations that are already stretched to their limits.

A connected and thriving future

Ultimately, the panelists agreed that much more needs to be done at all levels of society to ensure people across Canada have opportunities to volunteer and benefit from the power of volunteerism.

As Dan reflected, “We want people to feel connected. We want people to be able to rely on their neighbours. And we want to live in a civic society. I think the opportunity is there in the sector to move this forward and figure it out.”

You can watch the full panel discussion here.