How Youth Volunteers Can Benefit Your Nonprofit Organization

Picture this: we fast forward 10, 30, or 50 years into the future, and your organization is not just surviving but thriving, firmly established as a pillar in your community. Wonder why? It’s because you took the initiative to engage with the youth within your organization, and they have remained dedicated ever since.

One of the most important components of a nonprofit organization is its volunteer base. Without the dedication of volunteers, most organizations would not be able to accomplish a lot of what they do.

Now, picture the possibilities if more organizations actively included the youth from their communities. Involving young individuals in your organization is a crucial aspect of ensuring the sustainability of your long-term vision and mission.

But besides the long-term benefits, why does your organization need youth volunteers today? Let’s explore.

1. Youth are innovative and forward-thinking.

Perhaps it's because of the generation they grew up in, or the world events they watched unfold before them, but the younger generations of today are always looking for how they can improve their tomorrow. They are more inclined to consider the consequences of the actions and decisions they make today and how they will impact the future.

How can this benefit your organization? Well, young people tend to take this mentality with them in all aspects of their lives. Bringing in a fresh perspective will help your organization consider different options, paths or courses of action that you can take to better serve your community. Young people are going to view your programs and services with the lens of “How will this affect people later on?"

Engaging youth in your community can extend your organization's vision and mission, make it adaptable to current and future societal changes, and bring forward and expand the bigger picture.

2. Youth are passionate and energetic.

It is no secret that youth enter the volunteer sector willing and ready to help – that’s the thing, they want to help! Young people are excited to give back to their communities and having that passion and energy would be nothing short of beneficial for what your organization does.

From a generation that is labelled as not believing in loyalty, youth tend to be loyal to the causes they believe in the most. If they are choosing to volunteer with your community organization, it is most likely because they believe in your cause or want to help in the field you operate in.

The passion and energy they bring can foster creativity, boost engagement from other community members around them and bring new life to projects or programs with a new perspective.

3. Building long-term commitment to your organization

Statistics show that individuals who start volunteering at a young age are more likely to continue their philanthropic efforts throughout their lives.

By engaging young people in your organization, you can cultivate a dedicated pool of volunteers who may eventually transition into staff roles.

Instilling your cause, your purpose, and your mission into the next generation is half the battle of keeping a cause-based organization going. Having a group of young people who are invested from the get-go is exactly what you need to consider when you are trying to plan for the long term.

Gaining the support of youth is a powerful tool to sustain your cause and your organization. Their innovative thinking, passion and energy, and potential for lifelong commitment make them invaluable assets in driving forward your mission and being there for your community.

Sound like something that interests you? Feel free to reach out for a free 30-minute consultation to discuss how we can get youth involved in your organization.