677. Shift 7 — Volunteers as Core Capacity: Design Volunteer Systems for Growth - Jennifer Sirangelo
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This episode is part of 12 Shifts in 2026 for Social Impact.
Overview
Today's episode continues our 12-part series: 12 Shifts in 2026 for Social Impact. Over twelve episodes, we’re unpacking mindset + strategy shifts shaping the future of fundraising, leadership, and doing good in 2026. Explore the series at weareforgood.com/12shifts.
Shift 7 / Volunteers as Core Capacity
In today’s episode, Jon and Becky welcome back Jennifer Sirangelo, President & CEO of Points of Light — the world’s largest organization dedicated to volunteer service, mobilizing nearly 4 million volunteers across 32 countries.
Together, they explore why many nonprofit leaders are leaving capacity on the table — and how shifting from “volunteers as a nice-to-have” to “volunteers as core infrastructure” can accelerate strategy, deepen belonging, and drive sustainable growth. Jennifer shares practical examples (including a “board recruitment sprint”), how to spot the gaps volunteers can fill beyond program delivery, and why the volunteer experience must be digitally enabled to fit real life. You’ll also hear why the simplest lever still matters: people volunteer because they’re asked — and that invitation is fully in your control.
If you’re ready to treat participation like a strategy (not an afterthought) and build a volunteer engine for 2026, this one’s for you.
You'll Walk Away With:
How to integrate volunteers into your strategic plan to accelerate impact and fill organizational gaps.
Real-world trends showing surging volunteer interest, like 22% growth at Boston Cares and triple holiday sign-ups in Westchester.
Practical steps to elevate volunteer infrastructure (recruitment, tech, recognition) to match finance or HR priorities in grants and budgets.
Ways to build a digitally enabled "Amazon of volunteering" experience with seamless on-ramps, reminders, and retention.
Dive Deeper:
pointsoflight.org - Sign up for Points of Light's monthly newsletter, packed with resources, trainings, and webinars.
“The number one reason people volunteer is because they are asked.”
Episode Transcript
Download Full Episode Transcript Here
Episode Highlights:
Volunteers as Strategic Plan Accelerators (3:10)
The “Board Recruitment Sprint” + Activating Volunteer Leaders (9:20)
What’s Driving a Rise in Volunteer Interest + How to Respond (15:40)
Building Volunteer Infrastructure on a Lean Team (22:30)
Designing a Digitally-Enabled Volunteer Experience (30:10)
One Good Thing: Craft the Invitation That Gets People to Say Yes (37:45)
Powerful Quotes
“We all know the mission can’t happen without the volunteers.” - Jennifer Sirangelo
“Volunteers are an accelerant. They are that rocket boost to those goals that you may have for your organization.” - Jennifer Sirangelo
“Leaders know where their gaps are, and instead of everything being ‘I need a consultant’ or ‘I need to hire a new full‑time staff,’ there are really opportunities where volunteers can step in and partner alongside you and your paid staff to make a huge difference.” - Jennifer Sirangelo
“In a world where it’s crazy and people feel they can’t control things, it’s amazing that our fellow community members are stepping up and saying, ‘I may not be able to fix this or that, but I can help my neighbor and I want to.’”- Jennifer Sirangelo
“We’re leading a national effort to build a coalition that will lead a national volunteer strategy to double volunteers in the US by 2035, which we’re calling Reimagining Service 2035.” - Jennifer Sirangelo
“At so many levels, our volunteers are an unlock.” - Jennifer Sirangelo
“If you’re not centering volunteers in those critical parts of your organization—your strategic plan, your revenue stream, your business model, your theory of change—that’s where you’re missing out.” - Jennifer Sirangelo
“Every organization either is getting ready to develop a new plan, just launched a strategic plan, or is in the middle of one, and my first question would be: where can volunteers put the acceleration in your strategic plan?” - Jennifer Sirangelo
Jennifer’s One Good Thing Homework:
Think about the invitation you would like to make to volunteers for your organization.
Determine what that invitation is going to look like.
Consider how they will receive it (e.g., channel, format).
Remember: The number one reason people volunteer is because they are asked—so this is fully in your control as leaders.
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