International Volunteer Day

History of International Volunteer Day

The first instance of volunteerism dates back to medieval Europe, where religion and care for the sick went hand-in-hand. Hundreds of hospitals run by churches in countries like England tended to lepers and victims of the plague. By the 18th century, volunteering had more to do with military service than giving back to the community. Organized volunteering as we know it today began to take off in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Organizations like the Red Cross, Lions Club, Rotary Club, and the Y.M.C.A. started collecting donations, mobilizing volunteers, and doing charity work and community service.

In the U.S., volunteerism started during the Revolutionary Wars. It was more about ordinary people showing love for their country and supporting the war effort than the traditional faith-based charity work seen in other parts of the world. In the 1820s, the country experienced the Second Great Awakening, a rebirth of religion that inspired many ordinary Americans to take an active role in solving the issues around them. The Salvation Army, American Red Cross, and the United Way are some volunteer organizations that stepped up at this time. Following the Great Depression in the 1930s, homeless shelters and soup kitchens became a standard part of life in the U.S.

Since 1985, the United Nations Volunteers Programme has coordinated International Volunteer Day on December 5. They’ve worked with civil society groups, government agencies, corporate entities, non-profits, individuals, and academic institutions to recognize the importance of volunteering in community and nation-building. Volunteerism remains one of the essential tools for developing a peaceful and sustainable world. This holiday aims to get as many people as possible involved in community service and volunteer work.

International Volunteer Day timeline

1863

The Red Cross

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement emerge in Geneva, Switzerland.

1945

The United Nations

The U.N. forms on October 24 in San Francisco, California.

1968

Proposal For U.N. Volunteer Initiative

Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi of Iran reads a speech at Harvard University, proposing a global volunteer initiative.

1970

Founding Of U.N. Volunteers

The U.N. General Assembly establishes the U.N. Volunteers.

International Volunteer Day FAQs

When is International Volunteer Day?

International Volunteer Day 2026 falls on a Saturday, December 5, uniting people worldwide to recognize the power of collective action and community service.

How many people volunteer globally?

According to the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) program, over one billion people volunteer globally each year, contributing significantly to economic and social development across various sectors.

What is the economic value of volunteering?

The economic value of volunteering is immense, with estimates suggesting that it contributes trillions of dollars to the global economy annually, often exceeding the GDP of many nations through unpaid labor and community support.

What is the role of the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) program?

The UNV program mobilizes volunteers to support peace and development initiatives globally, working with UN agencies and partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming and foster civic engagement.

How to Observe International Volunteer Day

Donate to a volunteer organization

Donations help volunteer organizations fund their operations. Donate money on International Volunteer Day to support vulnerable groups and frontline workers with essential services.

Get involved in volunteer work

Take an active role in volunteering in your community. Feel free to share pictures or videos of your efforts online with the hashtag #VolunteerNow to raise awareness and inspire others to do the same.

Read the World Volunteerism Report

The State of the World's Volunteerism Report (S.W.V.R.), published by the U.N., is produced every three years. It keeps track of volunteer efforts worldwide and the gains made from these contributions.

5 Facts About Volunteering

Volunteering eases stress

Volunteering connects you with others and builds a support base, which helps ward off depression and stress.

Volunteers are happier people

Volunteers have a higher chance of being very happy than people who never volunteered, going up by as much as 12% among people who volunteer every two to four weeks.

Reduced mortality rates

Volunteering, especially among the elderly, helps reduce mortality rates and helps people live longer, more fulfilled lives.

Chronic pain management

Clinical research shows that volunteering positively affects general health and chronic pain management.

Volunteers are more likely to find employment

Volunteers are 27% more likely to get a job after being out of work than those who don't volunteer, and volunteers without a high school diploma are 51% more likely to find employment than non-volunteers.

Why International Volunteer Day is Important

Creating a better future

Supporting a worthy cause you care about today helps build a better world for tomorrow. Taking care of the environment, building schools, and passing on valuable skills to youths help create a better future and set an example for future generations.

Lasting solutions to global problems

No one has all the answers to the world's problems, but when we face them together, we're more likely to come up with lasting solutions. When the public gets involved in solving problems around them, their answers are more likely to be feasible in the long term as they're more inclusive and people-centric.

Inspiring others to volunteer

When people see how much volunteerism impacts their society, economy, and environment, it encourages them to volunteer. By educating the public on issues of concern and showing them how the contributions of others have changed things for the better, ordinary people become inspired to join in on the efforts on International Volunteer Day.