Global Volunteer Month is a worldwide observance recognizing the importance and impact of volunteers.

For the entire month of April, we celebrate the power of people who tackle society’s greatest challenges and build stronger, more vibrant communities through volunteerism.

This year, National Volunteer Week runs from April 19 to April 25. Established in 1974, National Volunteer Week has grown each year, with thousands of volunteer projects and special events held nationwide.

Global Volunteer Month and National Volunteer Week shine a light on the people and causes that inspire us to serve, while recognizing and thanking volunteers who make a difference.

We encourage everyone to lend their time and talent to help make a difference in their community. As people strive to lead lives that reflect their values, the expression of civic engagement will continue to evolve. Whether online, at work or at your local food bank; and whether it’s with your vote, your voice, or your wallet – doing good comes in many forms and we celebrate them all!

Here are a few ways you can celebrate:

• Find a Volunteer Center near you to explore volunteer opportunities!
• Share a Story of Service to spotlight a volunteer or group of volunteers in your life whose service has inspired you.
• Take the Volunteer Personality Quiz to get inspired for specific types of service.
• Download the Global Volunteer Month Media Toolkit and help cultivate a culture of volunteerism.
• Follow Serve Virginia on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X to explore Stories of Service and learn more about opportunities and resources for volunteers.
• Youth Service America is calling all young people to be the “bright stars” of democracy and work together for the Common Good through key service areas. Participation in the 2026 Youth Service Month, Global Youth Service Day will be counted towards the America Gives volunteer campaign.
• Help spread the word about Global Volunteer Month with the Points of Light social media toolkit.
• On April 20, join the Social Surge to celebrate #GlobalVolunteerMonth and #NationalVolunteerWeek by recognizing volunteers, celebrating their impact and inspiring even more action in communities everywhere. Learn more about how you can celebrate volunteerism all month long at Points of Light.

Discover more about the impact of volunteerism and service in Virginia by exploring the Virginia Community Engagement Index (VCEI) at ServeVirginia.org/why-serve.