Minnesota ranks 2nd in the nation with over 35% of residents 16 and older volunteering at an organization at least once in the past year. But the numbers paint a different picture when broken down by race. While nearly 40% of non-Hispanic white Minnesotans report volunteering in the past year, only 15% of people of color report having volunteered (Minnesota Compass).

It's important to make a distinction here. These numbers refer to “formal” volunteerism, or serving at an established organization. “Informal” volunteerism – such as driving a neighbor to the doctor, watching a friend’s children, or helping at a church event – is a more common way of helping others, and is particularly prevalent in communities of color.

So why the gap in formal volunteerism? MAVA’s research on engaging volunteers from racially diverse communities has revealed that the answer is far from simple. Many structures and processes used to engage volunteers are not equitable across racial and ethnic backgrounds. To better understand these barriers, ask yourself the following questions: Are my organization’s volunteer opportunities and trainings accessible for people who rely on public transportation? Is there flexibility for volunteers to have other priorities outside of their volunteer work? Are clients of an organization prohibited from reciprocating through volunteering? These are just a few examples of barriers that may contribute to inequity in volunteer engagement.

Organizations that reflect the diversity of their community are stronger and more culturally-responsive, and the communities are more empowered and engaged. This is why engaging a racially diverse employee base is a top priority for many nonprofits. Diversifying the volunteer base, however, has not received the same attention, despite the fact that volunteers deliver the majority of services at many nonprofits. It’s time for that to change.

Volunteer engagement leaders can lead the way by promoting diversity, equity and inclusion within their own processes and structures, and advocating for their organization’s equity efforts to include volunteers. It’s not an easy task, but MAVA is here to help. Here are some MAVA Resources to help you promote equity in volunteer engagement at your organization:
- Upcoming training opportunities:
o Annual Meeting in St. Joseph on October 30: Inclusive Volunteerism in Action. Register here.
o Annual Meeting in St. Paul on November 8: Inclusive Volunteerism in Action. Register here.
- Full Report: “Engaging Volunteers from Diverse and Immigrant Communities: 8 Strategies for Creating a More Inclusive Volunteer Program.” Download here.