National Volunteer Week Enhancement Funding
The NVW Enhancement Funding Grants are provided by the Government of Alberta and distributed by Volunteer Alberta and offer a fantastic opportunity to thank and recognize your volunteers for their invaluable contributions. Every year we are excited to see see how communities and organzistions work together to celebrate the wonderful volunteers who have ignited positive change in Alberta!
Thank you for celebrating NVW with us!
National Volunteer Week 2026 left a spark that’s still glowing!
The VA team had the privilege of visiting communities across the province during NVW, and everywhere we went, the spirit of volunteerism was burning bright. From volunteer fairs to community celebrations, every stop showed us what’s possible when people come together to ignite volunteerism.
Thank you, volunteers and volunteer-engaging organizations, for the time, effort, and care you pour into your communities every single day. Your dedication is the spark that keeps volunteerism thriving, and your efforts are felt in every act of kindness and every community lifted.
About National Volunteer Week
National Volunteer Week is a nationwide celebration led by Volunteer Canada every April that recognizes, celebrates, and promotes volunteerism across the country.
The theme for 2026 was “Ignite Volunteerism,” inviting Canadians to reconnect with their communities through acts of service, civic action, and mutual support. It encourages people from all backgrounds to “Find Your Thing” — discovering personal ways to contribute, whether through local events, grassroots initiatives, or ongoing volunteer commitments.
In Alberta, Volunteer Alberta and the Government of Alberta have supported communities in celebrating volunteers through NVW Enhancement Funding Grants for 32 years. In 2025, 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 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!
Sign up to be updated about the National Volunteer Week Enhancement Grants and events.
2026 is the International Year of Volunteers
This is a landmark year for volunteerism. The United Nations has dedicated 2026 to celebrating volunteers and their impact on sustainable development, and Volunteer Canada's year-long Ignite Volunteerism Campaign is keeping the spark burning bright!
Check out Volunteer Canada’s resources to recognize and celebrate volunteerism in your community:
Learn about Ignite Volunteerism and how you can get involved
Share your volunteer impact story as part of their “365 stories” campaign
Volunteer Canada’s e-store is open year-round for volunteer appreciation items
Learn about the National Volunteer Action Strategy to improve how we recruit, engage, and support volunteers across Canada
Founding Partner
The Government of Alberta has been a Founding Partner for the National Volunteer Week Enhancement Grant for 32 years. Through their ongoing support, communities across the province are able to celebrate the outstanding contributions of volunteers, past, present, and future. Together, we have been able to make an impact on bringing awareness to volunteerism and supporting volunteer recruitment efforts across hundreds of communities.