THE PILOT MODEL

We believe in the power of cross-sector collaboration to tackle the most challenging barriers preventing young Canadians from meaningfully engaging in volunteering.

That’s why in 2018, we shifted the focus of our organization’s programming towards running pilots: short-term projects with the intention of exploring and introducing novel forms of youth volunteering experiences that could contribute to strengthening youth volunteerism across the country. The goal of each pilot is to develop and evaluate new types of volunteer opportunities that improve the engagement and/or retention of young volunteers. Following each pilot, we share the learnings gathered with the broader Canadian non-profit community, further increasing the impact of our piloting work.

1) DISCOVER

Through one-on-one conversations and group feedback sessions with various stakeholders, our team identifies key barriers and challenges preventing youth from becoming meaningfully engaged in volunteer activities in their communities. We then assess whether a viable pilot can be developed to address the identified challenge.

2) DESIGN

In collaboration with non-profit, corporate, and public sector partners, we begin to design a pilot for a new type of volunteer experience that tackles the challenge identified in the previous phase.

3) DISCUSS

Upon completion of the pilot, any key learnings and data relevant to strengthening youth volunteerism that emerge are shared with the broader non-profit community.

PAST PILOTS

Enabling Organizations to Offer Youth-Oriented Virtual Volunteering Experiences (November 2020)

CURRENT PILOTS

We’re currently planning our next pilot! Stay tuned!