More than ever, people are asking the questions: How can I help? What can I do? They wonder how they can help uplift their communities, get involved, and make a real impact. The answer?
Volunteer work.
Volunteering isn’t just about supporting your neighbors, children, or the elderly—it’s also about discovering what truly matters to you. It’s an opportunity to align with your values, try something new, and build meaningful connections. While our day jobs often focus on making a living, volunteer work allows us to contribute purely for the joy of it, enriching both our own lives and the lives of others.
This month, in honor of National Volunteer Month, we’re spotlighting the power of volunteerism—its benefits, its impact, and how you can get involved. Keep reading to explore the many ways you can give back!
Volunteering is truly the key to staying rooted and rising in your community. It grounds us in shared experiences, strengthens our connections with others, and empowers us to grow personally and as a collective. By giving back, we honor where we come from, while building a future that reflects our values and aspirations. Now, more than ever, volunteering matters.
Here’s how it benefits both individuals and communities:
Personal Benefits
- Builds empathy, compassion, and a sense of purpose.
- Enhances mental and physical health (reduces stress, increases happiness).
- Develops leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Community Benefits
- Encourages others to do the same, resulting in more civic engagement and social responsibility.
- Strengthens and creates safer, more inclusive communities.
- Provides critical support for nonprofits and underserved populations.
How Your Organization Can Foster Volunteerism
By bringing the spirit of volunteerism into the workplace, the result is a strengthened team and a culture rooted in giving back. Here’s how your company can support employees in their efforts to volunteer:
- Offer Paid Volunteer Time Off (VTO): Allow employees to serve during work hours.
- Host Company-Sponsored Volunteer Events: Organize team-based initiatives such as food drives, mentorship programs, or clean-ups.
- Recognize & Reward Volunteers: Celebrate employee contributions through incentives, internal newsletters, or awards.
Leading with Purpose: Insights from Alexis Braly James
I still remember the first time I served on a nonprofit board of directors and stepped into a room filled with volunteers working toward a shared vision. The energy was electric—people exchanging ideas, rolling up their sleeves, and putting their hearts into something bigger than themselves. It was at that moment that I truly understood the power of collective action. As the Host Committee Chair for TASTE, I have the privilege of facilitating a team of seven+ sub-committee chairs who dedicate their time and talent to creating an event that centers BIPOC and LGBTQ chefs, winemakers, and culturally specific nonprofit organizations. Their work isn’t just about logistics—it’s about building a platform that amplifies voices, resources, communities, while also celebrating cultures that deserve to be seen and supported.
Volunteering has never been a one-way street. Every hour we give, we gain something invaluable in return—connection, joy, and the deep fulfillment of knowing we are part of real, lasting change. I invite you to reflect on how you can lean in during this National Volunteer Month, whether it’s mentoring, advocating, or showing up in spaces that need you. Your time has the power to shift narratives and build a more just, inclusive world. Because when we show up for community, we also show up for ourselves. – Alexis
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“We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” – Maya Angelou
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