Volunteers are the heart of the non-profit sector
Many non-profit organizations depend on volunteers to bring their Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) funded projects to life. As National Volunteer Week approaches from April 19 to 25, OTF recognizes the thousands of volunteers whose time and dedication contribute to building healthy and vibrant communities.
Whether they are coaching a soccer team, delivering nourishing meals for seniors, or teaching art classes for children, volunteers play a critical role in delivering hundreds of community-based programs and services across Ontario. Since April 2015, more than 430,000 volunteers have supported OTF‑funded programs, giving over 8.1 million hours to their communities across the province. Their commitment ensures that people of all ages and background stay connected, engaged and active throughout Ontario.
Some examples of how volunteers are helping deliver OTF-funded projects include:
- 60 volunteers contributed 500 hours to the Fergus Agricultural Society to help create the first-ever Agriculture Education Day, teaching elementary school students and their teachers about food and farming.
- 160 volunteers contributed 3,000 hours to help run the multi-day Streetsville Bread and Honey Festival.
- 32 volunteers contributed 3,400 hours to Toronto’s Furniture Bank to collect and deliver furniture donations to community members in need.
During National Volunteer Week, OTF also recognizes those who volunteer their time to support our own work. This includes members of our Board of Directors, Grant Review Teams, and Grant Review Committee. By sharing their time, knowledge, and lived experiences, they help guide our granting decisions and uphold OTF’s commitment to accountability, transparency, and equity.
Thank you to all the volunteers who continue to offer their time to support the important work delivered by the non-profit sector!
If you're interested in positively impacting your community, learn more about volunteering at OTF.