We can’t believe it’s already 2026!
As the pace of the year slows after the holiday rush, January creates space for something many organizations rarely get enough of: reflection paired with intention. It’s a moment to step back, assess what worked (and what didn’t), and thoughtfully plan for the year ahead.
Your organization can tap into that renewed energy, too. The start of a new year is an opportunity to come together as a team—review the past year, revisit current practices, and set clear priorities that align with your mission and capacity.
To help you start strong, here are 10 achievable New Year’s resolutions your organization can realistically commit to—and sustain—throughout 2026.
Resolve to treat 2026 as a defining year for your volunteer program—not business as usual.
The United Nations has designated 2026 as the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development, formally recognizing volunteerism as essential to community resilience, equity, and long-term progress. For volunteer programs, this isn’t just a symbolic designation—it’s a signal that expectations are rising.
IVY 2026 puts a spotlight on how volunteer contributions are designed, supported, tracked, and communicated. Funders, partners, and communities will increasingly expect clear outcomes, inclusive access, and intentional systems behind volunteer engagement.
Use the start of the year to assess your volunteer infrastructure, identify gaps in support or measurement, and set realistic goals that strengthen your program for the year ahead.
Resolve to stay informed—without trying to keep up with everything.
In 2026, volunteer leaders are navigating far more than traditional fundraising or recruitment trends. Shifting expectations around impact measurement, volunteer engagement systems, technology (including AI), cybersecurity, and corporate partnerships are directly shaping how volunteer programs operate.
Rather than chasing every new development, commit to consistently following the trends most relevant to your mission, capacity, and community. Even a small, regular investment in learning can help your program stay proactive instead of reactive.
We share resources, blog content, and research designed to support this kind of practical learning. Watch our webinar with Faiza Venzant, Towards 2026: Shaping Your Future in Volunteer Engagement, where she explores the evolving volunteer engagement trends in 2026 and beyond.
Resolve to invest in your growth as intentionally as you invest in your volunteers.
In 2026, volunteer leaders are being asked to do more with greater complexity—adapting to new technologies, evolving volunteer expectations, expanded reporting requirements, and hybrid models of engagement. Keeping up isn’t optional, but that doesn’t mean professional development has to be overwhelming.
This year, commit to focused, practical learning that supports your role and your program’s goals. That might mean building confidence with data and reporting, strengthening volunteer leadership skills, learning how to manage change, or exploring new approaches to volunteer engagement.
Invest in yourself by attending conferences, gaining certifications, engaging in peer conversations, attending webinars, and making time to learn consistently throughout the year.
Resolve to set goals your volunteer program can realistically achieve and sustain.
Clear goals help volunteer programs move forward, but only when they’re grounded in capacity and supported by a plan.
In 2026, the most effective goals are specific, measurable, and connected to outcomes—not just activity. Whether you’re setting goals for recruitment, engagement, or impact, make sure each one is paired with clear steps and indicators of success.
This year, focus on goals such as:
Volunteer responses or placements by program
Total volunteer hours or hours aligned to specific initiatives
Fundraising or engagement milestones supported by volunteer activity
Just as important as setting goals is recognizing progress along the way. Tracking results makes it easier to see what’s working, and to share your wins with volunteers, staff, and partners.
Make celebration part of the plan. Acknowledging both small and large successes builds momentum, boosts morale, and keeps your volunteer program moving forward with purpose.
Resolve to make appreciation a consistent practice, not an afterthought.
Volunteer appreciation is one of the most effective tools for retention, yet it’s often the first thing to slip when programs get busy. In 2026, sustaining engagement means being intentional about how—and how often—you recognize the people who make your work possible.
After the rush of seasonal campaigns, events, and year-end efforts, it can be tempting to move straight into what’s next. Instead, use the start of the year to build appreciation into your volunteer program’s rhythm. Timely, personal recognition—whether through a message, a call, or a note—reinforces connection and signals that every contribution matters.
This year’s resolution isn’t just to say “thank you,” but to do it thoughtfully and consistently. Small, meaningful gestures of appreciation can strengthen relationships, encourage continued involvement, and remind supporters why they choose to give their time and energy to your mission.
In 2026, focus on making diversity, equity, and inclusion an intentional operational resolution, not just a statement of values.
Take a closer look at how your organization recruits volunteers, communicates opportunities, tracks participation, and measures impact—and ask who may be unintentionally excluded by current systems or processes.
The United Nations’ emphasizes inclusivity as a core pricinipal of the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development, positioning volunteerism as a pathway to more inclusive and resilient communities.
Use the start of the year to identify one or two operational changes that can reduce barriers and expand access, and commit to making them stick.
Resolve to strengthen partnerships through participation.
Community partnerships are increasingly strategic, outcome-driven, and built on trust. One of the most effective ways to sustain those relationships is simple: volunteer alongside your partners. Shared service creates mutual understanding, strengthens alignment, and turns collaboration into lived experience.
Volunteering with partner organizations gives your team firsthand insight into their work, the communities they serve, and the challenges they navigate. It also builds authentic connections between volunteers, staff, and community members—connections that can’t be replicated through meetings alone.
This year, commit to participating in a few intentional service opportunities with community partners. Being present reinforces your investment in the relationship, models volunteer leadership, and helps extend your mission through genuine collaboration. Sometimes the strongest partnerships are built by working side by side.
Resolve to move beyond tracking activity—and start telling a clearer impact story.
Volunteer programs are increasingly expected to show not just how much was done, but what difference it made.
Begin the year by taking a practical look at the information you collect and how you use it. A focused data review can help you understand what’s working, where gaps exist, and what information will matter most for volunteers, partners, funders, and reporting throughout the year.
Think beyond basic contact details to questions like:
Can you track volunteer hours by program, project, or time period?
Do you understand how volunteer efforts connect to services delivered or outcomes achieved?
Can you easily report on participation, reach, or growth when needed?
Once your data is organized, use it intentionally to guide decisions, strengthen grant applications, and communicate impact in ways that resonate. This resolution isn’t just about cleaning up records; it’s about building a foundation that supports transparency, accountability, and smarter planning all year long.
Resolve to make it easier for volunteers to engage and easier for your team to manage.
Your volunteer website is often the first touchpoint for potential volunteers, and in 2026, expectations are higher than ever.
Start the year by reviewing your volunteer-facing pages: are opportunities current, clearly described, and easy to find? A simple refresh, including updated content, clearer calls to action, and current images, can improve how volunteers discover and engage with your program.
Behind the scenes, take time to review the tools that support your volunteer program. Volunteer scheduling, communication, hours tracking, and reporting all rely on systems that work best when they’re fully understood and intentionally used. Many organizations already have access to features and training they aren’t fully leveraging.
Use this resolution to assess whether your technology supports your goals, identify small improvements that could reduce manual work, and ensure your systems are ready to support volunteer engagement throughout 2026. Clearer tools now mean less friction—and better reporting—later in the year.
Resolve to pause, reflect, and celebrate progress.
Volunteer programs are often measured by what’s next: the next campaign, the next initiative, the next goal. I
This year, make space to recognize what’s already been accomplished. Celebrating progress—both big milestones and quieter wins—helps sustain morale, prevent burnout, and reinforce a shared sense of purpose.
This resolution doesn’t require elaborate events or extra budget. Simple, consistent moments of recognition matter: opening a meeting by naming recent successes, publicly thanking volunteers or staff, or taking time to reflect on what your program made possible over the past year. These moments remind people that their time, energy, and leadership matter.
As you plan for the year ahead, don’t skip over the present. Taking time to celebrate strengthens your team, honors your volunteers, and reinforces the impact you’re working toward together.
With clear priorities and achievable resolutions in place, your volunteer program will be well positioned to move through 2026 with focus, resilience, and momentum!