Summary: Volunteers are the backbone of nonprofit organizations' work. April is designated as National Volunteer Month, a month to recognize the accomplishments of your volunteer team. Learn about the history of National Volunteer Month and the importance of volunteering for the community.
Nonprofit organizations play a critical role in providing services and strengthening communities across the United States. They
serve a wide range of people across urban, suburban
, and rural areas from coast to coast.
Nonprofits are one of the largest industries in the U.S., with nearly
12.5 million employees, twice the number of people working in the financial and insurance industries.There are over
1.8 million nonprofit organizations registered with the IRS, contributing an estimated $1.94 trillion to the U.S. economy. Most nonprofits are staffed with a
combination of unpaid volunteers and paid staff. Whether formed for educational, research, religious, or charitable activities, nonprofit organizations often rely on volunteers to help reach their goals.
April is National Volunteer Month in the United States.
National Volunteer Month recognizes the importance of volunteering and honor volunteers' contributions in donating their time and talents to worthy causes.
What is National Volunteer Month?
President George H.W. Bush designated April as National Volunteer Month as part of his 1,000 Points of Light campaign in 1991.
National Volunteer Week, in mid-April, is a dedicated week to celebrate the impact of volunteer service and its inspiring assistance in helping communities. National Volunteer Week was first recognized in 1943 in Canada to honor the women volunteers who collected supplies and helped wounded soldiers in World War II. The U.S started officially celebrating the week in 1974. National Volunteer Week was made official worldwide in 1990.
Importance of Volunteerism
Volunteers fill the service gaps for nonprofit organizations events and community programs. Americans alone volunteer 8.8 billion hours annually. Volunteers donate their time and talent to their communities by helping out at community events, working at animal shelters, packing food at food banks, spending time doing art projects with seniors, and much more.
While volunteers provide service to those in need, helping out in the community has also been found to benefit the volunteer, increasing happiness and well-being, and providing potentially better job prospects.
How to Observe National Volunteer Month
Volunteers are the
backbone of nonprofit organizations, leading the way by stepping up to help their neighbors and communities. Thanking your volunteers for their work is crucial to keep them motivated and ensure they feel appreciated.
Observe national volunteer month in a variety of ways, including:
- Recognize your dedicated volunteers' contributions to your organization
- Celebrate your volunteers on social media
- Give a handwritten card
- Promote and share the impact of your volunteer projects
- Welcome new volunteers
AmTrust Financial Gives Back
At
AmTrust, we understand the importance of giving back to our communities throughout the year. In 2022, we launched AmTrust Cares, a company-wide opportunity for all AmTrust employees to participate in our long-standing commitment to helping others. The program has two aspects: volunteerism and corporate giving, where AmTrust matches employee donations (up to $1,000 a donation) made to the International Red Cross or Equal Justice Initiative. AmTrust is excited to continue our efforts to
fulfill our mission to protect and inspire our customers, communities and families through ongoing engagement efforts.
Nonprofit Insurance Options
Nonprofits face
specific risks that set them apart from other small businesses, so they should protect their organization by having the proper nonprofit business insurance. Nonprofit organizations should have the correct volunteer insurance coverage, including general liability and
workers’ compensation, to cover potential volunteer injuries and other risks. However, workers’ compensation insurance does not cover volunteers in some states, so each organization should check its state laws.
Nonprofit organizations should consider many types of insurance coverage that protect them from a variety of losses, including:
Keep Your Volunteers Covered with Nonprofit Insurance from AmTrust
AmTrust provides a variety of lines of nonprofit insurance coverage specifically tailored to the needs of nonprofit organizations. We work with thousands of nonprofits across the United States to ensure they're keeping their employees and volunteers safe. For more information about our nonprofit insurance, please contact us today.
This material is for informational purposes only and is not legal or business advice. Neither AmTrust Financial Services, Inc. nor any of its subsidiaries or affiliates represents or warrants that the information contained herein is appropriate or suitable for any specific business or legal purpose. Readers seeking resolution of specific questions should consult their business and/or legal advisors. Coverages may vary by location. Contact your local RSM for more information.