Volunteering: from charity to sustainable results

Gone are the days when volunteering simply meant showing up for a weekend cleanup or the annual feeding program. Today’s volunteer environment has evolved into a complex ecosystem in which sustainable advocacy and measurable impact take center stage. This transformation reflects a deeper understanding that meaningful change requires more than sporadic acts of kindness—it requires sustained and intentional engagement.

The expansion of DestiNasyon 2024 to a two-day event—December 6 to 7, 2024, held simultaneously in Manila and Davao—perfectly reflects this evolution in volunteer engagement. What began as a one-day celebration of International Volunteer Day turned into an immersive experience that recognizes the complexity of modern human rights work. This transformation recognizes that effective volunteering requires both a theoretical framework and practical application.

Today’s volunteers, especially the younger generation between the ages of 18 and 35, strive for more than just the “warm feeling” of helping others. They want their efforts to align with professional growth while creating a tangible social impact. This dual purpose has led to a new generation of volunteers who bring their professional skills to the social sector, creating a powerful combination of professional knowledge and community service. The transformation is particularly evident in the way volunteer programs are structured today.

DestiNasyon’s approach of linking activities to the UN Sustainable Development Goals demonstrates how modern volunteering has become more strategic and globally oriented. This framework gives volunteers a clear understanding of how their local actions contribute to global goals, with a focus on the critical areas of people, planet and prosperity.

What’s particularly striking is how this evolution has impacted volunteer retention and commitment. When people discover that advocacy aligns with their values ​​and professional skills, they are more likely to remain involved long-term. The expansion of the program to include leadership development sessions, partnerships with development sector leaders and recognition of volunteer role models through the iVolunteer Champions award demonstrates this commitment to sustainable participation.

The geographic diversity of DestiNasyon 2024, with events in both Manila and Davao, reflects how modern volunteering has become more inclusive and accessible. This expansion ensures that outreach is not limited to city centers, but also reaches communities where impact is needed most, targeting a combined audience of 500 participants in both locations.

Perhaps most importantly, this evolution has changed how we measure volunteer success. Instead of counting numbers of participants or hours worked, modern volunteer programs focus on sustainable impact and community transformation. The two-day format allows for deeper engagement, with Day 1 focusing on hands-on volunteerism and Day 2 focusing on leadership development and strategic partnerships.

Looking to the future, it is clear that volunteering will continue to evolve. Integration of technology, a focus on skills-based volunteering, and a focus on sustainable advocacy all point to a more professional and effective volunteer sector.

This evolution is not only about changing the way we volunteer, but also about changing the very nature of social impact work. The message is clear: modern volunteering is no longer about “random acts of kindness” (often called RAK for short), but strategic, sustainable engagement that leads to long-term change.

DestiNasyon demonstrates that when we give volunteers the tools, knowledge and platforms they need, we are not just helping communities; we are building the next generation of social impact leaders who understand that real change requires commitment, strategy and consistent action.

Joseph Emil N. Santos is an assistant professor of marketing and advertising in the Ramon V. Del Rosario College of Business at De La Salle University. He is also a PhD candidate in Communication at the University of the Philippines. (email protected).