National Volunteer Week (April 19 to 26) sets the stage for Volunteer Engagement Leaders to begin the celebration of people who spark civic engagement throughout Canadian communities, then continue to recognize individual and collective volunteer contributions throughout International Volunteer Year 2026 (IVY26).
The 2013 Recognition Study conducted by Volunteer Canada, indicates the number one way volunteers want to be recognized is by hearing how their efforts make a difference. They prefer to be thanked in person on an ongoing informal basis. For Volunteer Engagement Leaders, National Volunteer week provides a time to ignite volunteerism within your organization and community by highlighting the impact of volunteers in meaningful ways, letting volunteers know what they do makes a difference.
The 2013 Study also reveals that volunteers least prefer recognition that includes formal gatherings, and public acknowledgment in media. Despite this, many organizations often use these methods to appreciate and celebrate their volunteers.
Most times, a sincere “thank you” linked to the outcome of the volunteer’s contribution, usually at end of a shift, conveys appreciation in a clear way that their involvement is meaningful and valued. Something as simple as, “Thank you, your involvement today means we were able to provide 25 more meals to seniors and/or vulnerable people in the community,” or even something more big picture like, “The twenty-five trees you and your family planted today will contribute to more oxygen and less carbon in the atmosphere and in years to come will provide more spaces for people to be in nature.”
Throughout National Volunteer Week 2026 and International Volunteer Year 2026, we want to ask you this: How will you, as a Volunteer Engagement Leader, thank people for their contributions and impact in ways that lets them know they made a difference?
Visit www.ivy26.ca for more National Volunteer Week 2026 resources! Discover more about International Volunteer Year 2026 and consider how to align recognition and appreciation of volunteers with this global celebration.
Understand best practices in volunteer recognition and key drivers that lead to volunteer retention in 2013 Volunteer Recognition Study.
Explore the changing nature and conceptualization of volunteering in Recognizing Volunteering in 2017.