National Volunteer Month - If you’ve ever volunteered in your life, pat yourself on the back because now is the time to celebrate that.

National Volunteer Month 2024 – April 2024

National Volunteer Month in April celebrates the impact volunteers have on our lives and encourages active volunteerism in generations to come. Most often unpaid, they generously donate a part of their lives to do the work that nobody else likes to do — cleaning up after the event, fostering shelter dogs, chaperoning field trips, or helping the librarian; there are so many areas requiring volunteers. This month, we salute them for their unwavering services to businesses and communities and hold aloft their examples to inspire young and adults towards volunteerism.

History of National Volunteer Month

Volunteers are so special that they ought to be honored throughout the year, after every service that they volunteer to. National Volunteer Month is an extension to an already-established holiday-week, National Volunteer Week that was first held in 1943 in Canada. The week was dedicated to paying tribute to the unwavering contributions of women during World War II who would collect supplies and help the wounded soldiers. It was in the early 20th century that organized volunteering reached its peak. Numerous groups opened up to escalate humanitarian services, many of which are still active today such as the Red Cross.  Once the war was over, the celebrations were damped down but resurged in the early 1970s. National Volunteer Week debuted in 1974 in the United States and was revered by the general public. Since then, National Volunteer Week, which later went on to become National Volunteer Month, has been celebrated with zeal and enthusiasm every April. It was made official worldwide in 1990. Presidents of the United States throughout the years have proclaimed National Volunteer Week and Month, saluting the unparalleled services of the volunteers who have given countless hours for the betterment of mankind, communities, and the American way of life.

National Volunteer Month timeline

1943
National Volunteer Week

Canada holds the first-ever National Volunteer Week to celebrate the volunteering services of the women in WWII.

1974
Debuted in the United States

National Volunteer Week and Month is first held in the United States.

1990
Points of Light

In response to President Bush’s proclamation, Points of Light is founded to resolve serious social problems through voluntary services.

2003
President’s Volunteer Service Award

The award is created to allow certified organizations to recognize individuals with bronze, silver, and gold awards based on their yearly contribution to volunteering.

National Volunteer Month FAQs

When did volunteering start?

The act of humanitarian service is traced back to WWII and the Civil War where women volunteered for wounded army soldiers.  

Does volunteering help the country?

Absolutely yes. Besides helping you, volunteerism contributes to the economy, builds a safer and stronger community, and promotes civic engagement.  

When is the National Volunteer Week 2021?

National Volunteer Week is April 18-24 this year.

How to Observe National Volunteer Month

  1. Volunteer at an organization

    Nonprofits receive an overwhelming number of requests in April, so if you can’t get a spot in, don’t push the idea away. Sign up for volunteering for some other month this year – but make sure you do volunteer!

  2. Throw an appreciation volunteers’ party

    They truly deserve the honor. Plan a party for all the volunteers you know at a wacky place, like a coffee shop, and bring in some surprises. Make sure your recognized volunteers don’t even get up to get their drinks. Find volunteers to volunteer!

  3. Celebrate it on social media

    Whether you are volunteering this month or remembering some great volunteers of the past (and present), share pictures and tell your story using the hashtag #NationalVolunteersMonth.

5 Facts About Volunteering That Will Blow Your Mind

  1. Volunteering makes people happy

    96% of the volunteers believe that volunteering makes them happier persons and they answer questions more positively if they’ve recently volunteered.

  2. It contributes $200 to Australia’s economy

    Talk about banking on volunteers. According to a study, volunteers are contributing more than $200 to the Australian economy.

  3. It leads to better job opportunities

    Volunteering takes you to places and tells you about vocations you’ve never heard of before. Not to mention the excellent impression it makes on your CVs!

  4. It reduces depression

    With feelings of happiness, empathy, and brighter job prospects, it’s no doubt studies reveal that volunteering significantly lowers levels of depression.

  5. Millions of nonprofits

    There are 1.8 million non-profit organizations in the United States alone, so the opportunity to volunteer is close to never-ending.

Why We Love National Volunteer Month

  1. It fills critical gaps in service

    Without volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to host events or held programs as easily as we do today. Since most of these events are extremely important for communities and businesses, volunteers fill a critical gap in service.

  2. Americans volunteer 8.8 billion hours annually

    With such a massive amount of time donated for the greater cause, all non-volunteers owe this month to celebrate 30-days of appreciation to volunteering efforts.

  3. It inspires us to volunteer

    Thousands of aspiring volunteers have emerged for decades during April. Driven by the admiration they receive during National Volunteer Month every year, they are excited to become part of the month, too!

National Volunteer Month dates

Year Date Day
2023 April 1 Saturday
2024 April 1 Monday
2025 April 1 Tuesday
2026 April 1 Wednesday
2027 April 1 Thursday
Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action
April Fools' Day
National One Cent Day
International Fun at Work Day
National Sourdough Bread Day
Edible Book Day
Fossil Fools Day
Odisha Day
Tatting Day
Library Snap Shot Day
Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month
Lupus Alert Day
St. Stupid Day
National Fun Day
Nickelodeon Anniversary Celebration Day
Reading is Funny Day
U.S. Air Force Academy Day
Martyrdom of Imam Ali
Boomer Bonus Days
Nature Day
Cyprus National Holiday
White House Easter Egg Roll
Community Garden Week
Assyrian New Year
National Trombone Players Day
Dyngus Day
Myles Day
National Connor Day
National Loyal Day
National Greeting Card Day
U.S. Air Force Academy Day
Investiture of the Captains Regent in San Marino
Logan Paul's Birthday
Rachel Maddow's Birthday
Randy Orton's Birthday
Jonny May's Birthday
Sean Taylor's Birthday
National Window Safety Week
Testicular Cancer Awareness Week
National Public Health Week
Be Kind to Spiders Week
Medication Safety Week
National Bake Week
National Cancer Registrars Week
International Pooper Scooper Week
Laugh at Work Week
National Blue Ribbon Week
Golden Rule Week
Take Your Poet to School Week
Keep America Beautiful Month
Move More Month
National Humor Month
National Soft Pretzel Month
National Soy Foods Month
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
Scottish American Heritage Month
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Stress Awareness Month
National Poetry Month
National Welding Month
National Month of Hope
Child Abuse Awareness Month
National Volunteer Month
National Pecan Month
Month of the Military Child
Jazz Appreciation Month
National Internship Awareness Month
Couple Appreciation Month
IBS Month
National Alcohol Awareness Month
National Multiple Birth Awareness Month
National Decorating Month
National Garden Month
Occupational Therapy Month
Records and Information Management Month
Parkinson's Awareness Month
National Fresh Celery Month
Canine Fitness Month
Testicular Cancer Awareness Month
Autism Acceptance Month
Financial Literacy Month
World Landscape Architecture Month
National Car Care Month
Fair Housing Month
Distracted Driving Awareness Month
National Grilled Cheese Month
National Youth Sports Safety Month
Counseling Awareness Month
Straw Hat Month
National Knuckles Down Month
Confederate History Month
Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs Month
STI Awareness Month
Primary Immunodeficiency Awareness Month
National Garlic Month
Panagyaman Rice Festival
Earth Month
Physical Wellness Month
Filipino Food Month
National Literature Month
Workplace Conflict Awareness Month
National Woodworking Month
Rosacea Awareness Month
Defeat Diabetes Month
National Foot Health Awareness Month
Fresh Florida Tomato Month
National African American Women's Fitness Month
Global Child Nutrition Month
Emotional Overeating Awareness Month
School Library Month
International Amateur Radio Month
Poetic Earth Month
Ridvan Festival (Bahá'i)
Dog Appreciation Month
Brussels Sprouts and Cabbage Month
SunSmart Skin Cancer Prevention
Children and Nature Awareness Month
National Minority Health Month
Bowel Cancer Awareness Month
National Pet First Aid Awareness Month
National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
Step up for 30 For Bowel Cancer Month
National Adopt a Greyhound Month
National Sjogren's Syndrome Awareness Month
Summer Tire Changeover Month
Parliamentary Law Month
The Fuji Shibazakura Festival
National Kite Month
National Heartworm Awareness Month
National Frog Month
National BLT Sandwich Month
National Social Security Month
International Customer Loyalty Month
National Donate Life Month
Cesarean Awareness Month
National Card and Letter Writing Month
National Safe Digging Month
Pharmacists War on Diabetes Month
Informed Woman Month
Worldwide Bereaved Spouses Awareness Month
Tomatillo and Asian Pear Month
Women's Eye Health and Safety Month
Adopt a Ferret Month
Sarcoidosis Awareness Month
National Financial Capability Month
National Facial Protection Month
Arab American Heritage Month
Sports Eye Safety Awareness Month
Multicultural Communication Month
Grange Month
National Pest Management Month
Global Astronomy Month
Cancer Control Month
Genocide Awareness Month
National Rebuilding Month
National Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)'s Education and Awareness Month
Celebrate Diversity Month
International Guitar Month
National Food Month