As nonprofits adapt to a new world, young people are reshaping volunteerism

By Bauyrzhan Zhaxylykov
Capital News Service

LANSING — April is shaping up to be a busy month for young volunteers in Alpena. 

The Boys & Girls Club is bringing youth together every Thursday to support local seniors through Meals on Wheels deliveries.

Across Michigan, volunteerism is shifting as members of younger generations increasingly favor flexible, short-term opportunities over long-term commitments.

Nonprofit leaders say that while interest in service remains strong, many organizations are struggling to adapt to changing expectations.

Read More: 'Strong, but strained': Ottawa County nonprofits grow, demand for services continues to rise

The Alpena effort is part of Global Volunteer Month, when organizations across the state expand service opportunities and encourage community participation.

For the Boys & Girls Club of Alpena, the program reflects a broader effort to engage youth in meaningful, hands-on service.

The organization, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, provides year-round programs for youth across the Northeast Lower Peninsula.

“Our mission is to enable all youth, especially those who need us most, to be responsible and caring citizens,” said Catherine Knoch, its director of resource development.

It serves about 1,800 youth across the region and provides nearly 29,000 free meals each year, highlighting the scale of its impact.

To carry out that mission, it relies heavily on volunteers, both youth and adults.

Through its youth volunteer program, about 200 young people contribute roughly 6,000 hours each year, often volunteering to gain experience, earn school credit or just stay active in their community.

Participation fluctuates throughout the year, with higher involvement during warmer months and a slowdown in the winter.

“Volunteers are vital to our programs,” Knoch said.

“When there are volunteer shortages, we aren’t able to support as many youths,” she added.

Across the state, nonprofit leaders say volunteer numbers haven’t fully recovered since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many organizations are seeing fewer long-term volunteers because people increasingly prefer short-term opportunities.

“The data around volunteerism is showing that it’s all headed in the wrong direction,” said Kelley Kuhn, the president of the Michigan Nonprofit Association.

“People want to engage, but the way they want to volunteer and the opportunities available don’t always match,” Kuhn said.

That shift is reflected in the experiences of individual volunteers.

Ahmed Zayeef, a doctoral student in the School of Journalism at Michigan State University, said flexible opportunities are key for him.

“Given the demands of my academic work, I prefer short-term or flexible volunteering commitments,” Zayeef said.

Zayeef has been volunteering for about a year and a half at a local food distribution program in Lansing, where he helps organize and distribute boxes of fruits and vegetables to community residents.

He said his involvement began after he first visited the organization as a recipient and noticed a need for additional help.

“What keeps me engaged is the sense of reciprocity and the opportunity to contribute to a service I once benefited from,” Zayeef said.

Despite time constraints, he said he continues to see a strong need for volunteers.

As organizations address those challenges, leaders say adapting to changing expectations is key.

The Michigan Community Service Commission, which promotes volunteerism statewide, emphasizes that flexibility and accessibility are increasingly important in attracting volunteers.

“Today’s volunteers, especially youth, are redefining service through flexible opportunities that fit into their lives,” said Jason Alexander, the communications director for the commission.

“Barriers like time constraints highlight the need for more accessible opportunities,” he said.

In recognition of Global Volunteer Month, the commission is funding projects across the state, including 19 initiatives expected to engage about 4,000 volunteers.

Leaders say the goal is not only to support communities, but also to build a stronger culture of volunteerism across Michigan.

“Young people are not just participating — they are leading and shaping how service looks in their communities,” Alexander said.

“Engaging them now helps build lifelong habits of civic responsibility,” he said.