Volunteer Shortage: What's Happening and How You Can Help

Ever try to sign up for a local charity event and find out the organizer is desperate for helpers? You’re not imagining things. Over the past year, more groups have struggled to find enough people to keep the lights on and the doors open. Food banks are asking for double shifts; animal shelters put out calls on social media weekly. It feels like there just aren’t enough hands to go around.

This isn’t just a local hassle—it’s a real trend. In 2024, reports from VolunteerMatch and national surveys pointed out drops in volunteer sign-ups across the U.S. The decline didn’t come out of nowhere. More folks are juggling side hustles, family stuff, or just trying to keep up with the cost of living. That all eats into the hours they might have given away for free.

Still, a lot of people want to help, but they’re not sure how to fit it in anymore. Maybe you’ve thought, ‘I’d love to do more, but where do I start?’ The thing is, the way we think about volunteering needs to change too. There are more options than you might realize—short-term commitments, remote roles, and little things that can make a big impact.

• What the Numbers Say
• Why People Aren’t Volunteering as Much
• The Impact on Communities
• Ways to Volunteer That Fit Busy Lives
• How to Start and Where to Look

What the Numbers Say

You might hear people say fewer folks are signing up to volunteer, but the stats really back it up. The biggest drop came after 2020. Before the pandemic, about 30% of Americans spent time volunteering each year. In 2024, that number slipped to just under 23%, according to Independent Sector’s yearly report. That’s millions fewer people pitching in—across all ages and backgrounds.

Some groups are hit harder than others. Food pantries, homeless shelters, after-school programs, and animal rescues are on the front lines. Even big events like charity runs have seen shrinking sign-up lists. This isn’t just in one state either—national surveys and platforms like VolunteerMatch have all noticed the same thing happening from big cities to small towns.

Check out these real numbers from recent reports:

That’s a sharp drop over just a few years. According to Tom Holland, CEO of the Points of Light Foundation,

“Every week, we hear from organizations struggling with volunteer numbers. The appetite to help is still there, but changing lifestyles and priorities make it harder for people to commit the way they once did.”

Here’s why that matters: volunteer shortage isn’t just a trend; it’s changing how nonprofits run and what they can offer. If this keeps up, some community services might have to cut programs—or close their doors.

Why People Aren’t Volunteering as Much

The drop in volunteer shortage isn't just because people have gotten lazier or stopped caring. Life has just gotten more complicated for a lot of us. After 2020, schedules changed, work-from-home became a thing for some, while others have to pull extra jobs just to stay afloat. Who has time to spend a full Saturday packing boxes or reading to kids when you’re running on empty already?

Let’s get clear with some actual facts. According to an AmeriCorps survey from 2024, only 23% of Americans volunteered in the past year, down from 28% in 2019. That might not sound huge, but when you look at millions of people, even a tiny shift is like entire cities just vanishing from the helping scene.

Why’s this happening? Well, here’s what real people say are their biggest roadblocks:

• Time crunch: Most folks are overscheduled with work, family, errands—you name it.
• Not knowing where to start: Some people want to help but have no clue how to sign up or what’s needed in their neighborhood.
• Burnout and stress: After a few tough years, many just don’t have the energy to give more.
• Transportation and childcare: If you don’t have a car or someone to watch your kids, getting to a volunteer gig is a lot harder.
• Cost: A lot of volunteering still comes with small out-of-pocket costs—think gas, supplies, maybe a meal out after a long shift.

And here’s an interesting thing: a lot of organizations still run on old-school expectations. They want volunteers for set hours or on a regular schedule, which just doesn’t fly for people working unpredictable shifts these days. The end result? Fewer folks can say yes, even if they want to.

The Impact on Communities

The volunteer shortage isn’t just a headache for nonprofits—it really hits people waiting for services. I saw it last winter when our local food bank had to close early twice a week. When there aren’t enough hands, some programs get cut, waitlists get longer, and the folks who count on them are left scrambling.

Check out this table showing stats from the 2024 Nonprofit Current survey about how the volunteer shortage changed things for US community services:

When fewer people step up, programs that depend on volunteers must make tough choices. Many children missed out on after-school help, and isolated seniors went without those weekly check-in calls that can make a huge difference. Even environmental cleanups—like beach or park days—became a rare sight.

Here’s what Megan Green, director of a Midwest nonprofit, shared:

“In the past, we could run three food drives each month. Now, we barely manage one. The need hasn’t gone down—our people just can’t stretch any further.”

This kind of strain isn’t just stressful—it can actually cost lives, especially when volunteers fill in for vital community services. If you think a couple of hours won’t matter, ask anyone who’s had to wait an extra week for medication delivery or missed their once-a-month grocery box.

If you see lines getting longer or local websites asking for help, it’s a sign that the shortage is real and is already changing daily life for a lot of folks nearby.

Ways to Volunteer That Fit Busy Lives

If you’re slammed with work, family, or just life in general, you’re not alone. But you don’t have to spend hours every week to make a difference. Tons of volunteer opportunities now work around tight schedules. You can even do a lot of good from your couch or during your lunch break.

Here’s what’s trending right now:

• Virtual Volunteering: Nonprofits need help with things like website design, tutoring, crisis hotline support, or running social media pages—all done from home. In 2024, VolunteerMatch reported a 38% jump in remote volunteer postings compared to 2022.
• Micro-Volunteering: These are quick, one-off tasks (think writing a letter to a senior or collecting a bag of trash at the park). Most take less than an hour. Idealist and Catchafire have lots of these listing up daily.
• Event-Based Work: You show up, help out, and you’re done. Food drives, 5Ks, and fundraising galas are always looking for hands to set up, cheer, or clean up. SignUpGenius often lists last-minute open shifts that need filling.
• Skills-Based Projects: Got a knack for taxes, marketing, translation, or coding? Donate what you do best. United Way and Taproot Foundation match people’s talents to short-term nonprofit needs.
• Family or Group Volunteering: Busy parents squeeze in time by bringing their kids, friends, or partner along. Many animal shelters and food banks let kids pitch in too. Lucas and I once packed pantry bags together—turned a chore into a date.

Stuck on what fits your schedule? This table breaks down some popular options, their average time needed, and if they can be done from home:

Don’t worry about committing for months. Every little bit helps. Start small and switch things up until you find what sticks. Just one hour a month can keep a local group moving. That’s way better than not showing up at all.

How to Start and Where to Look

Jumping into volunteer shortage solutions doesn’t mean you have to quit your job or give up weekends. Start by getting clear on what you care about and how much time you can give—even an hour a month really helps. The big trick is knowing where to look. National organizations, local groups, and even online sites make it easier today than it was five years ago.

Here are some solid steps to get started:

• Figure out your schedule and interests: Some folks love working with animals, others want to help kids or tackle food insecurity. Know your passion before you sign up.
• Check out online platforms: Websites like VolunteerMatch, Idealist, and All For Good list thousands of opportunities. You can filter by location, cause, or even “virtual” for at-home options.
• Visit your city or town website: Most local governments post current needs in parks, libraries, shelters, or events.
• Try local Facebook groups: Tons of neighborhoods have closed groups just for coordinating community help and quick volunteer gigs.
• Drop by in person: If you know a place that could use help—like a food pantry or animal shelter—stop in and ask. They’ll give you the real scoop on what they actually need.

It helps to know what’s available right now. Here’s a quick peek at the typical types of volunteering you’ll find and where (numbers come from the 2024 Points of Light survey):

When you start, it’s totally normal to try a couple of gigs before you find your groove. Ask questions about what training’s provided (usually not much—most organizations just want you to show up). Recruit a friend or two—it’s less awkward and you’re more likely to stick with it. If you run into a group that seems disorganized or isn’t your vibe, just chalk it up to experience and try again elsewhere. There’s honestly a spot for every personality out there.

Last bit: Don’t forget about remote opportunities. Since 2020, organizations now offer everything from mentoring kids over Zoom to designing graphics for nonprofits from your laptop. If crowds aren’t your thing, or you only have odd hours to give, these can be a perfect fit.