Non-Profit & Volunteer Organizations
The impact of non-profit and volunteer organizations on the community is undeniable. Statistics Canada’s survey of found the following key facts:

• Nonprofit and voluntary organizations are vehicles for citizen engagement.
• Nonprofit and voluntary organizations have a substantial economic presence.
• Their scope of activities is broad: sports and recreation (21%), religious (19%), social services (12%), fundraising and voluntarism promotion (10%).
• Capacity problems (and a need for more volunteers) may keep organizations from fulfilling their missions.

(Download the full report: “Cornerstones of Community: Highlights of the National Survey of Nonprofit and Voluntary Organizations” from Volunteer Canada.)

Link between Volunteerism & Health
The link between volunteerism and health is very real. It’s a strong health promoting activity that improves both psychological and physiological well-being, including:

• A heightened sense of self-esteem and self-worth
• Reduced heart rate, blood pressure, and increase endorphin release
• control and discipline over their life choices, particularly for the unemployed and underemployed.

(Download the full report: “Volunteering for Work Experience” from Volunteer Canada.)