National Volunteer Week: History, dates & unique ways to celebrate in 2025

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Behind every successful church, ministry, or nonprofit is a group of dedicated volunteers—people who show up and serve selflessly. Their work may often go unnoticed, but National Volunteer Week is the perfect opportunity to change that. This April, let’s take a moment to thank them! 

From April 20–26, 2025, individuals and organizations across the U.S. celebrate the incredible contributions of volunteers. During this week, we shine a light on their efforts and the lives they’ve touched, giving back to those who give so much of themselves.

This guide is designed to help churches and nonprofits discover meaningful ways to honor volunteers and inspire a culture of service. In this blog, you’ll learn more about National Volunteer Appreciation Week and discover practical ideas to make this year’s celebration one to remember.

What is National Volunteer Week?

Did you know April is Global Volunteer Month? This special time is dedicated to encouraging a spirit of service across the world. And for the entire third week of April, the United States comes together to recognize and appreciate volunteers during National Volunteer Week. Every year is an opportunity to spotlight individuals and groups who selflessly serve others and inspire positive change.

Whether serving in a local church or charity, volunteers are the heartbeat of nonprofit organizations. Their work fuels missions and extends the reach of important causes—a testament to why we take time to celebrate and honor them.

National Volunteer Week is about more than just saying ‘thank you’—it’s an opportunity to motivate others to take action. Celebrating the generosity of volunteers creates excitement around serving, encouraging others to join in and make a difference.

In observance of National Volunteer Week, you’ll have the opportunity to:

• Celebrate & recognize the impact of your current volunteers
• Inspire your community to get involved
• Strengthen relationships within your organization by showing appreciation

History of National Volunteer Week

First signed into observance by President Richard Nixon in 1974, National Volunteer Week is a 50-year-old tradition. This executive order was established to recognize the invaluable contributions of the nation’s volunteers and encourage more Americans to get involved within their local communities. What began as a simple recognition of service has since evolved into a powerful national movement that mobilizes individuals and organizations to action.

In the 1990s another president helped shape the history of National Volunteer Appreciation Week. George H.W. Bush founded the Points of Light Foundation after recognizing over 1,000 “points of light” (volunteers) for demonstrating that “a neighbor can help a neighbor.” This nonpartisan, nonprofit organization continues to organize National Volunteer Week year after year.

When is National Volunteer Week 2025?

National Volunteer Week is usually celebrated during the third week of April. This year it is April 20—26, 2025. 

This annual tradition has become something many look forward to. Thoughtfully planning an event or heartfelt gift builds anticipation, giving volunteers something to feel proud and excited about while highlighting the importance of their service.

As spring blooms into full swing, this is the perfect time of year to focus on volunteer appreciation. People are eager to leave behind the chill of winter, get out into warmer weather, and engage with their communities.

In gearing up for spring and summer projects, National Volunteer Week 2025 provides a moment of pause to honor the dedication of volunteers and energize them for the year ahead. Just as a volunteer’s acts of service create a ripple effect in the community, our efforts to give back to them can mirror that impact and inspire others to step forward in generosity.

Why celebrate National Volunteer Week?

What would our communities, nonprofits, and churches be without volunteers? Their passion and energy is needed to drive change—often going above and beyond to serve a cause. As unpaid members, sometimes volunteers can be overlooked, but the last thing organizations want is for their people to feel taken for granted.

Celebrating National Volunteer Week ensures your volunteers are seen and appreciated. It’s not only a blessing to individuals in service but the organizations they serve. 

Here are just a few benefits of recognizing your volunteers:

• Increase volunteer retention. When volunteers feel truly valued, they’re more likely to stay involved. Show that their time and effort make a real difference. While volunteers aren’t in service for the recognition, a little acknowledgment can go a long way.

• Attract new volunteers. If you know how to appreciate your people, you can bet it will inspire others to get involved. As a bonus, when volunteers feel appreciated, they’re more likely to advocate for your organization and attract even more support.

• Strengthen community bonds. People don’t know who to thank if they never meet the volunteers behind the scenes. Dedicating a week to recognition brings the community together and grows a true sense of gratitude for all that your local volunteers do.

Ideas for National Volunteer Week

Personalized appreciation:

People love to be recognized in a way that says, “Your contributions are irreplaceable.” When you tailor your appreciation to a volunteer’s specific efforts, you honor their service and make them feel valued. 

Let’s explore how you can show gratitude intentionally:

• Volunteer spotlights posted via your website, social media, or newsletter
• Handwritten thank-you notes mentioning unique contributions and achievements
• Customized video messages from staff or community members offering their thanks
• Certificates highlighting specific achievements and impact made during the last year

Events & celebrations:

Give the gift of a memorable experience by organizing special festivities for your volunteers. You’ll bring your community closer with moments sharing stories, reflecting on challenges, and celebrating achievements. 

Tell volunteers how appreciated they are with something like:

• Appreciation dinners or lunches with a fun theme and heartfelt video presentation
• Team-building outings such as a hike, picnic, scavenger hunt, or escape room
• Movie night for volunteers to enjoy a feel-good movie and the theater all to themselves
• Volunteer carnivals with games, prizes, and food for volunteers and their families

Gifts & tokens of gratitude:

What better way to express your thanks than with a special memento? Tangible gifts aren’t just fun to receive but they can serve as a reminder of the difference made working with your organization. 

Thank volunteers for their service with a meaningful token of appreciation such as:

• Keepsake scrapbooks compiled of photos, quotes, and highlights of their service
• Customized gifts like journals, mugs, or bags with their name and the organization’s logo
• Care packages with practical items such as snacks, water bottles, books, and gift cards
• Potted plants, herbs, or flowers they can keep and enjoy just in time for spring

Public recognition:

When you’re grateful for your volunteers, let everyone know! Taking your recognition public honors your volunteers and introduces your local community to the people who make a difference. 

Inspire others and shout praises from the rooftops with something like:

• Volunteer of the year awards given during National Volunteer Appreciation Week
• Recognition nights where people dress up to receive awards and celebrate milestones

• “Wall of Thanks” display where team members post personalized thank-you notes
• Video campaigns sharing success stories, testimonials, and special shout-outs

Future focus:

Interested in some growth-oriented ideas for National Volunteer Week? Invest in your volunteers by offering them a chance to build skills and develop leadership, equipping them to make an even greater difference in the future. 

Share a unique opportunity to grow their potential with:

• Vision sessions where volunteers brainstorm and contribute ideas for future projects
• Development workshops offering training to build skills, confidence, and leadership
• Certification programs to provide access to credentials that add value to their service
• Feedback forums to share insights on improving the volunteer experience

How to observe National Volunteer Week

Whether through heartfelt gifts or meaningful events, there are countless ways to honor the people who make your mission or the goals of your favorite causes possible. 

Here are four ways you can observe National Volunteer Week 2025 and show your gratitude:

1. Promote on social media. Get the word out about National Volunteer Week by sharing posts on social media using the hashtag #NationalVolunteerWeek. Featuring your organization’s team or the special volunteers in your life in the days leading up to April will help create a buzz and inform your community about this time of recognition.

2. Host special events or initiatives. Plan a gathering or service project that gets volunteers, staff, and beneficiaries working together. These could be as simple as a picnic or as formal as an awards night. Events give people a chance to connect with each other, share their experiences, and feel celebrated by the larger community.

3. Invite new volunteers. As you celebrate the volunteers you already know and love, use this week to share opportunities and invite others to join in. Testimonials from current volunteers and the people they impact can help to motivate newcomers. Make it easy for anyone interested by providing clear information on how to get involved.

4. Collaborate with the community. Consider partnering with local businesses, schools, and other organizations to boost your efforts. For example, a local cafe could offer free coffee to your volunteers, or a school could host an appreciation assembly. Working together reinforces the importance of service throughout the community.

Celebrate the hands and feet of your mission

Let’s make National Volunteer Week 2025 unforgettable for the helpers in your life! This April you have the special opportunity to make volunteers feel appreciated and motivated to continue the good work. Start planning your celebration today by choosing one or two ideas for National Volunteer Week from the blog that best align with your vision for this special week in April. 

As you prepare to celebrate this year, remember that while it’s important to recognize those who serve, don’t worry about creating an extravagant production. With a bit of intention and personalization, even the smallest gesture of gratitude can have a profound effect.

More resources you may find helpful

• Crafting a heartfelt thank-you note for volunteers
• The epic list of church volunteer opportunities
• Best practices for recruiting church volunteers
• How to grow your church—15 actionable strategies & tactics