National Volunteer Week 2026
National Volunteer Week is next week, and we’re celebrating alongside Volunteer Canada.
2026 is also International Volunteer Year, an opportunity to celebrate the impact of civic engagement and revitalize Canada’s volunteer spirit.
The combined theme for 2026 is “Ignite Volunteerism”, which is meant to inspire individuals to reconnect with their community and discover meaningful ways to get involved, whether that’s joining local events, supporting grassroots efforts, or committing to ongoing volunteer roles.
At Waterloo Region Community Foundation (WRCF), our volunteers continue to share their time, skills, and insights to help us support the people and organizations across Waterloo Region. We wouldn’t be able to make the impact we do without the volunteers who support us—they’re dedication and commitment to ensuring our communities are equitable, connected, and sustainable; and people are thriving, is invaluable to the work we do.
We asked two of our volunteers, Ibrahim Aburaneh, member of WRCF’s Children & Youth Grants Committee, and Pam Hillis, member of WRCF’s Community Grants Committee, to share their thoughts on their experience volunteering with WRCF.
Why do you volunteer with WRCF and how do you benefit from participating?
“I volunteer with Waterloo Region Community Foundation to give back to the community that shaped me and to the organizations that support my neighbourhood today. As Waterloo Region continues to grow, WRCF brings both a unique, region-wide perspective and the capacity to meaningfully support impactful community organizations, large and small. As someone from Cambridge, I value the opportunity to contribute my local lived experience while staying connected to the wider regional conversation through my volunteer work.
How I benefit most from my volunteer participation is a reinforced sense of optimism. I’ve had the privilege of working alongside thoughtful, capable individuals that I continue to learn from. Through this work, I see a clear path toward stronger communities grounded in equity, accountability, and collaboration. I am also reminded of the many dedicated people and organizations across the region who give their all and drive meaningful impact. Altogether, it reminds me of the strength in human connection and deepens my sense of pride for our region.”
-- Ibrahim Aburaneh
“I volunteer with the Waterloo Region Community Foundation because I’ve seen firsthand the impact their grants can have, real dollars turning into real support for people in our community. Getting to be on the other side of the table has been incredibly eye-opening too; it’s given me a behind-the-scenes look at what makes a grant application stand out, which is knowledge I definitely bring back into my day job. It’s also been a great way to connect with thoughtful, community-minded people… and I’d be lying if I didn’t say the amazing food at their events is a pretty great bonus.”
-- Pam Hillis
Click here to view our current list of volunteers.
If you are interested in learning more about future volunteer opportunities with WRCF, you can submit an Expression of Interest form, and we will reach out if a volunteer position becomes available.