Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless, but because they’re priceless
– Sherry Anderson
Volunteers provide an almost infinite return on investment. In calculating ROI, the cost of the resource being measured is placed in the denominator. Since volunteers by definition aren’t paid, the denominator is zero, implying an infinite ROI. In the charity world, where the mission always exceeds available resources, the contribution of volunteer time, talent and energy is pure gold.
Opportunity International Canada is a microfinance charity with an audacious vision of a world in which all people have the opportunity to achieve a life free from poverty, with dignity and purpose. We are committed to a sustainable microenterprise model in the fight against poverty. Hence, sustainability and solid business practices form part of our DNA and we work hard to extract as much leverage as possible from donated funds.
For example, donations used for client loans become a long-term asset in the field, loaned out, paid back and loaned out again and again in a virtuous cycle of poverty reduction. Donations used for other purposes such as training or partner infrastructure are carefully monitored to ensure maximum impact. And, of course, we have to cover the cost of operating the charity here in Canada, such as program oversight, fundraising and administration.
Given the global challenge of poverty, with hundreds of millions living below the poverty line and many more barely scraping by, there is never enough funding to fulfil our vision.
In that context, an Opportunity International Canada volunteer is a very special gift indeed. It truly is priceless when someone comes alongside our organization, passionately embraces our mission and generously offers the gift of their time to help us in this fight against poverty.
We see the generous act of volunteering everywhere.
Among the people we serve, some clients volunteer to serve as mentors to younger clients, as leaders within a borrowing group, and even to share their resources with their neighbours.
Similarly, during this pandemic, we have been inspired by the staff of our Implementing Partners as they rallied to support struggling clients, including buying and distributing food, PPE and other items and volunteering to clean up after a hurricane.
Here in Canada, too, we see the huge impact of volunteers. Each member of our Board of Directors is a volunteer, generously giving time, talent and treasure to make us better and stronger in our mission. And across the country volunteers help with fundraising and awareness-raising, organizing events and doing what they can where they are to make a difference.
There is no doubt that without these volunteers, our impact would be less and our experience much poorer. So, to all our amazing volunteers, wherever you are and however you serve, we celebrate you, we appreciate you and we want you to know we couldn’t do this work without you.
A million thanks,
Dan Murray, CEO