OTF Celebrates National Volunteer Week

A group of volunteers cheer with their hands raised in the air.

Volunteers are critical to the social and economic fabric of our communities. From supporting the work of cultural centres to family services, literacy programs, and sports clubs, volunteers in the non-profit sector help deliver essential programs and services across the province. The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is pleased to celebrate National Volunteer Week 2023 and is proud to work with local volunteers that help us build healthy and vibrant communities.

Ontario’s non-profit sector is the largest in Canada and contributes over $50 billion to Ontario’s GDP annually. The sector supports the social, cultural and recreational needs of communities and creates opportunities for access and inclusion for all Ontarians. Employing over 1 million full-time and part-time employees, and engaging 5 million volunteers, the sector contributes the equivalent of 400,000 full-time jobs to the province’s economy. 

Volunteers engage with their communities by giving their time, energy and skills to help deliver vital programs and services. Whether they serve on boards or as front-line service delivery within non-profits, volunteers support members of their community and address important issues. Working with and for Ontarians, volunteers help build healthy and vibrant communities.

Since 2015, OTF funded programs have supported close to 170,000 volunteer positions, which amounts to $70M in volunteer hours working to deliver OTF projects.

Local decision making

Community volunteers are integral to OTF’s unique community-based grant making. Over 300 volunteers across Ontario serve on OTF’s Board of Directors and Grant Review Committee and Grant Review Teams. Our volunteers bring essential local knowledge and expertise to our assessment and decision-making processes. 

We rely on volunteers to ensure strong, impactful projects are recommended for funding. Volunteers help us assess applications and make grant recommendations in their communities for approval by OTF’s Board of Directors. 

On behalf of OTF staff and the Board of Directors, thank you to all our community members who volunteer their time to build communities that are more engaged and connected. 

Happy National Volunteer Week!

Matthew Bondy, Chair
Katharine Bambrick, CEO