Trends

• Virtual volunteering, working on-line, at home, e.g. website maintenance etc.
• The growing senior population is healthier and more able to accept paid employment and/or pursue leisure time activities.
• The sandwich generation is being squeezed between the needs of their adult children and aging parents and has less time to volunteer.
• There is a large population of highly educated and professional baby boomers, many looking for meaning, values and enrichment in their lives.

• Growing number of skilled unemployed. Some are in between jobs, others are early retirees looking to offer their experience.
• Younger volunteers are looking for opportunities that will increase their skills and enhance their resumé.
• Career experience is a major motivator of youth volunteers.
• The need for internships for work experience is growing.
• Training is a major motivation, especially if the training increases job skills or enhances the CV.
• People are more demanding about the nature of their volunteer work and want meaningful, challenging projects.
• Professional volunteers want to be treated professionally.