National Volunteer Week (NVW) is a nationwide celebration led by Volunteer Canada that recognizes, celebrates, and promotes volunteerism across the country. In Alberta, Volunteer Alberta and the Government of Alberta have supported communities in celebrating volunteers through NVW Enhancement Grants for 32 years. Last year, the grant was awarded to 90 recipients, enabling 1,300 nonprofit organizations to participate in NVW celebrations across Alberta.
National Volunteer Week 2026 marks an especially meaningful moment
The United Nations has declared 2026 the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development, and Volunteer Canada has launched a National Volunteer Action Strategy to revitalize and strengthen volunteerism. Together, these initiatives make NVW2026 (April 19–25) a unique opportunity to elevate the visibility, value, and impact of volunteering in Alberta.
We invite you to join us in celebrating National Volunteer Week 2026 and create the biggest and boldest celebration of volunteering yet!
About NVW 2026
National Volunteer Week provides a chance to highlight the value of volunteers and their positive impact on society. Every April, Volunteer Canada leads the NVW campaign. This year’s theme, “Ignite Volunteerism” celebrates the ways in which people in Canada have ignited volunteerism in their communities and deepened our collective impact. The theme is also part of Volunteer Canada’s year-long effort to elevate civic participation, rebuild volunteer infrastructure, and celebrate volunteer stories across the country.
2026 NVW Enhancement Funding Grant — Applications open on February 9, 2026!
The NVW Enhancement funding grant, provided by the Government of Alberta and distributed by Volunteer Alberta, aims to support communities throughout the province in celebrating the outstanding contributions of volunteers, past, present, and future. The grant offers a fantastic opportunity to thank and recognize your amazing volunteers for their invaluable efforts. We can’t wait to see how you will celebrate the wonderful volunteers who have ignited volunteerism in your community!
Volunteer Canada NVW Resources
Volunteer Canada has a lineup of resources and activities to help recognize and celebrate volunteerism in your community:
- Learn about this year’s theme: Ignite Volunteerism
- Share your volunteer impact story as part of their “365 stories” campaign
- Get the free marketing kit to start promoting your events
- Learn about the National Volunteer Action Strategy to improve how we recruit, engage, and support volunteers across Canada
Volunteer Alberta, in partnership with the Government of Alberta for 32 years, aims to support communities throughout the province in celebrating the outstanding contributions of volunteers, past, present, and future, through the National Volunteer Week (NVW) Enhancement Grant. NVW Enhancement Grant is designed to supplement other sources of funding and celebrate volunteerism on behalf of your entire community. Connect with your local Volunteer Centre or municipality to get involved. Successful Grant Recipients must adhere to the grant guidelines and acknowledgment requirements.