April is Global Volunteer Month — a time to celebrate the power of people who step up to serve and to recognize that volunteering is more than an act of kindness. It’s a force for change. A lifeline for nonprofits. And a foundation for a stronger, more connected society.

This Global Volunteer Month, will you make a gift to support the volunteers who support our community?

This past month, we’ve celebrated our outstanding volunteers and partners at Boston City Hall, and through service at Mather Elementary School in Dorchester. At Boston Cares, we know that volunteering isn’t just “nice” — it’s necessary.

We see it in the 50,000 hours of service our volunteers contribute each year to over 150 nonprofits and schools across Greater Boston. We see it in the deep sense of connection our volunteers feel — with 80% reporting they better understand community issues through their service. And we hear it from our partners — 90% say our volunteers are essential, and over half say they couldn’t operate at their current capacity without volunteers from Boston Cares.

Global Volunteer Month is a celebration — but it’s also a call to action.

A new report from Points of Light and The Bridgespan Group shows that volunteerism is critical in this moment: it boosts well-being, combats isolation, and builds civic trust. Yet despite its impact, less than 0.2% of charitable giving supports volunteer engagement directly. And with looming cuts to federal programs, our community will rely on volunteers more than ever. 

At Boston Cares, we’re proud to offer no-cost programs for our nonprofit partners. But to meet the rising demand and ensure we can continue to mobilize volunteers where they’re needed most, we need you.

Every dollar donated helps keep volunteerism strong and accessible across Greater Boston.

Click here to make your gift now and join me in supporting Boston Cares this Global Volunteer Month.

And if you’re not yet an active volunteer, this is the perfect time to start. We make it easy to get involved, and we’d love to welcome you into the Boston Cares community – visit bostoncares.org/become_a_member to get started.

Together, we can meet this moment — and build a more connected, resilient world.