Engaging Gen Z Volunteers: Rethinking Community Impact

Understanding How Gen Z Is Reshaping Volunteering, Community And Impact For The Future

One of the biggest challenges facing volunteer organisations today is how to engage the next generation. As many long-standing volunteers prepare to hand over the reins, community organisations are increasingly thinking about how they can build pathways for younger people to contribute, connect and eventually lead into the future.

There is no question that volunteer teams are navigating a rapidly changing world as they experience shifting communication styles, evolving technology and younger generations balancing work, study, social connection and growing financial pressures all at once. But while the way young people engage with community may be changing, their desire to create impact hasn’t disappeared. 

Today’s young people are still deeply passionate about helping others, supporting causes they care about and creating positive change in the world around them. They’re simply approaching community and connection differently from the generations that came before them. The research suggests this generation may even be far more engaged with volunteering and community impact than many organisations realise.

Meet Generation Impact

Born between 1995 and 2010, Gen Z is fast becoming one of the most influential generations shaping the future of work, community and volunteering.

Raised in a world of touchscreen devices, social media and constant connectivity, this generation has grown up with immediate access to communities, causes and conversations happening all around the world. As a result, they often approach community engagement very differently from the generations before them.

A recent survey by the British Heart Foundation found that 94% of Gen Z respondents would consider volunteering, while an Oxfam Study found almost two thirds (63%) of people under 25 had already volunteered for a charity in some capacity.

Meanwhile, the American RedCross recently identified Gen Z as both the fastest-growing and largest group of volunteers within their organisation, representing 42% of their volunteer network. Much of this growth has been driven through student-led Red Cross Clubs, demonstrating the growing appetite young people have for purpose-led communities and peer-driven impact initiatives.

What’s particularly interesting is how these young volunteers are choosing to contribute.

The Red Cross found Gen Z represents nearly one-third of their blood donor ambassadors nationwide, a role designed around flexibility, accessibility and low barriers to entry. Volunteers welcome blood donors, support community engagement and contribute in meaningful ways without requiring extensive onboarding or rigid long-term commitments.

This reflects a much broader shift taking place across volunteering. Young people are not disconnected from community, they are simply engaging with community in new ways.

Meeting Young People Where They’re At

Young people are increasingly discovering causes, communities and volunteering opportunities online. Raised in a world of smartphones, social media and constant connectivity, Gen Z often turns to digital platforms first when deciding which organisations they want to support and engage with.

Recent research found that 40% of young people research an organisation’s website and digital presence before choosing to support a cause, while the State of Social Giving Report found that 41% say social media content has motivated them to donate or engage with an organisation.

At the same time, digital platforms are becoming powerful tools for community advocacy and awareness, with half of Gen Z reporting they share causes or fundraisers at least once per week.

For volunteer organisations, this presents a significant opportunity but a big challenge. Many organisations may need to rethink how they communicate online, showcase impact and position volunteering opportunities within the digital spaces young people already spend time in.

Flexible Opportunities To Get Involved

One of the biggest shifts shaping the future of volunteering is accessibility.

Young people today are balancing study, work, side hustles, family commitments, financial pressure and digital overwhelm all at once. Traditional volunteering structures can sometimes feel difficult to access or difficult to sustain within increasingly busy and unpredictable lives. As a result, flexibility is becoming an increasingly important factor for young volunteers as they explore opportunities.

Research from the British Heart Foundation found that 37% of Gen Z respondents would be more likely to volunteer if flexible hours were offered. This challenges volunteer organisations to rethink what traditional engagement opportunities look like for their team as they see a growing demand for micro-volunteering, skills based volunteering, project based opportunities and even virtual volunteering.

This generation has grown up in a world designed around flexibility and personalisation. They expect to be able to learn online, work remotely, connect digitally and contribute in ways that fit around their lives. As a result many young people express a desire for volunteering experiences that felt more adaptable and aligned with modern life with a quarter of young people (26%) highlighting that they would even consider volunteering from home.

Despite the growing demand for flexibility, traditional volunteering has certainly not lost its appeal, with DoSomething finding that 8 out of 10 young people (83%) still identify in-person volunteering as important.

The Power Of Community & Connection

One of the most powerful insights emerging from recent research is the role volunteering can play in combating loneliness and social disconnect.

Gen Z is frequently described as one of the loneliest generations, despite being the most digitally connected. Research done by Cigna suggests 7 out of 10 young people report experiencing loneliness in some form. Many young people are actively searching for a sense of belonging, friendship, community and identity as they navigate early adulthood in an increasingly digital world.

This presents an exciting opportunity for volunteer organisations. Creating connection and community has long been one of the most powerful aspects of volunteering, and it’s clearly something that still matters deeply to the next generation. In fact, DoSomething found that 85% of young people believe that volunteering is an opportunity to make new friends and build meaningful connections.

The perceived benefits don’t stop there with research from the British Heart Foundation finding that 42% of young people believe volunteering could help boost their confidence and 39% think that volunteering could improve their mental health.

The organisations that intentionally create and promote spaces for social connection, collaboration and shared experiences are often the ones most likely to build long-term engagement with younger volunteers.

Volunteering As A Pathway For Growth

For many young people, volunteering is increasingly becoming a pathway for personal and professional growth.

Research from Rosterfy found that 48% of Gen Z volunteers are motivated by opportunities that could enhance their career or employment prospects. As young professionals make a start on the first rung of the career ladder, many continue to face the age-old paradox of needing experience to get a job, but needing a job to gain experience.

With this, volunteer organisations are uniquely positioned to frame volunteering opportunities more like internships, work experience or project-based learning opportunities where young people can apply their professional skills in a real-world environment.

Whether it’s supporting social media campaigns, event management, graphic design, photography, marketing, fundraising or community engagement initiatives, these opportunities allow young people to build confidence, develop transferable skills and create a portfolio of work they can present to future employers, all while making a meaningful impact within their community.

So Where Do Organisations Start?

Engaging the next generation of volunteers does not require a complete overhaul overnight. In many cases, the biggest impact comes from small changes that make volunteering feel more accessible, flexible and human for the next generation of community leaders. If you’re wondering where to begin in your teams, here are a few elements to consider: 

Simplify The Pathway To Get Involved

Young people are growing up in a world surrounded by intuitive apps and responsive algorithms. Streamlining your onboarding processes, simplifying communication and reducing unnecessary barriers can make volunteering feel far easier to explore for first-time volunteers.

Create Flexible Ways To Contribute

Not every young person is in a position to commit to long-term or high-touch volunteering opportunities. Offering project-based, short-term or skills-based opportunities can create more accessible pathways for younger volunteers to get involved.

Build Community Alongside Contribution

For many young people, volunteering is not just about giving back. It is also about connection, friendship and belonging. Organisations that intentionally create opportunities for social interaction and shared experiences are often more successful in building long-term engagement.

Match Volunteers To Their Strengths

Many young volunteers are looking for opportunities to build confidence, develop skills and contribute meaningfully. Aligning volunteer roles with people’s interests, strengths and career aspirations can create more engaging and rewarding experiences for everyone involved.

The organisations that will engage the next generation most effectively are not necessarily the biggest or most resourced. They will be the organisations most willing to listen, adapt and evolve alongside the communities they serve.

Because the future of volunteering is about creating pathways for people of all ages to connect, contribute and create impact together.

About The Author

Scott Millar is a generational consultant, keynote speaker and trusted voice on the future of work, helping organisations understand the trends shaping Gen Z, leadership and the workplace of tomorrow. Scott brings fresh, practical insight into the shifts transforming workplaces, industries and communities. Recognised as one of Australia’s Top 30 Business Leaders Under 30, APAC’s Inspiring Youth Leader and a two-time TEDx speaker, he is regularly engaged to help leaders bridge generational divides and connect more meaningfully with the next generation.

To find out more about Scott and to book him to speak at your next event, head to: www.iamscottmillar.com/speaking