(C) Wisconsin Watch
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Two-In-Three Decreased Or Stopped Volunteer Activities Due To COVID-19 [1]
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Date: 2023-01
“This lack of awareness has hurt nonprofits at a time when they are already suffering more than ever before. Charities essentially lost access to millions of dollars1 in volunteers’ time,” said Amy Pirozzolo, Head of Donor Engagement for Fidelity Charitable. “But nonprofits have found creative new ways that people can safely engage, and we strongly encourage donors to explore how they can continue giving both their time and much-needed financial support. This can be as simple as reaching out to a nonprofit you care about and asking how you can assist, even if that looks different than it has previously.”
Many nonprofits include information about current volunteer needs on their websites, and organizations such as VolunteerMatch, local United Way chapters and Points of Light offer listings of volunteer opportunities at multiple charities. The report findings also suggest nonprofits should be proactive about informing their supporters of ways they can continue to safely offer help, as they adapt their volunteer programs.
Meals on Wheels historically leaned heavily on volunteers, but has had to shift its model as a result of the pandemic. Ellie Hollander, president and CEO of Meals on Wheels America, said many volunteers previously delivered meals in-person, but now make calls or write letters to seniors to safely provide valuable social interaction.
“They’re like pen pals, they’re checking in on them,” she said. However, Hollander noted that growth in demand has forced Meals on Wheels to hire paid drivers—which is a shift from their traditional reliance on volunteer support. “Whatever you’re doing, don’t stop now,” Hollander said, noting that needs are rising. “Don’t stop caring, don’t stop volunteering, don’t stop checking in on people.”
The report findings signal the decrease in volunteerism may be temporary, with nearly three-quarters of donors saying they plan to return to pre-pandemic volunteerism levels when it is safe to do so. But as social distancing continues, nonprofits may need to look to new models for the long term.
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[1] Url:
https://www.fidelitycharitable.org/about-us/news/two-in-three-decreased-or-stopped-volunteer-activities-due-to-covid-19.html
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