Volunteerism remains a powerful force in sustaining the country’s nonprofit sector — a point underscored by the newly released Philippines Charity Insights Report 2025. The report shows that Philippine charities that recruit and retain volunteers find it easier to do so than the global average, reflecting the strength of community spirit and volunteer commitment in the country.
As the Philippines marks National Volunteer Month this December, the findings serve as a timely reminder of how essential volunteers are in helping NGOs navigate rising needs and limited resources.
The celebration aligns with the global effort to strengthen volunteerism ahead of the International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development 2026, as designated by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.
According to a paper by the International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE), creating supportive environments and increasing recognition and investment in volunteering are essential to maximizing the societal impact of volunteers.
“Our volunteers have shown their commitment time and again — in disasters, in communities, and through countless acts of service,” says Phoebe Carrera, President of the Philippine Coalition on Volunteerism (PhilCV). “It’s important we match their bayanihan spirit with the investment and enabling environments they deserve.”
Higher demand for charity services expected next year
According to the Philippines Charity Insights Report 2025, 75% of charities expect demand for their services to increase in the next year, based on responses from 155 non-government organizations (NGOs) nationwide. The need for charitable services, such as educational assistance, community health check-ups, and disaster relief, is growing as communities face ongoing socio-economic challenges and recurrent calamities.
The findings were presented by the Association of Foundations (AF) and the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) during an online launch on November 21. The report forms part of the World Giving Report (WGR), a worldwide study that examines how giving and generosity look like across countries.
A resilient NGO sector despite funding challenges
While 72% of Philippine NGOs describe the sector as fairly healthy — well above the global average of 52% — funding challenges are the top concern, mirroring global trends.
During the launch, CAF Head of Research Alex Plumb noted that demand for charitable services is rising worldwide.
“There’s a lot of pressure put on charities,” Plumb said, adding that organizations with more diverse income streams tend to feel better equipped to meet increasing needs. In the Philippines, almost half of surveyed charities said they are fairly or very confident in the diversity of their funding sources.
Sustained by Trust and Volunteer Commitment
While funding remains a challenge, robust volunteer engagement and high public trust help local NGOs meet rising service demands. Nearly 75% say they find it easy to recruit and retain volunteers.
AF Communications Officer Milet Aquino suggested that this ease may be linked to strong leadership within NGOs and their ability to operate as learning organizations that continually adapt, which create environments where volunteers feel supported and meaningfully involved.
While the public places strong trust in charities, local NGOs may be underestimating how aware the public is of their work. Boosting visibility and demonstrating impact can help charities enjoy greater support for their causes.
“Ultimately, the NGO sector can do more through bayanihan. It’s this collective strength that will enable NGOs to meet growing demands” says Aquino.
As the report highlights, volunteer engagement is essential to helping charities meet community needs. This National Volunteer Month, consider lending your time and skills to support the worthy causes of local organizations.
