Blog post provided by NVC member Jennifer Williamson, Chief Executive Officer, Volunteer Fairfax.
Across Northern Virginia, businesses are looking for ways to engage employees, strengthen culture, and contribute to the region. A Day of Service can do all three. When designed thoughtfully, it can also support workforce development and strengthen the civic systems that help our region function well.
One important point: volunteering is not free. Effective service requires planning, coordination, staff time, and resources. Recognizing this reality allows service efforts to be truly helpful and mutually beneficial.
Why Days of Service Matter
Northern Virginia’s economy depends on a skilled, adaptable workforce and strong connections across sectors.
Well-designed Days of Service help by:
- Building teamwork and leadership skills through shared experiences
- Increasing employee engagement and connection to company values
- Exposing employees to real community challenges that require collaboration and problem-solving
- Supporting workforce development in ways that extend beyond the workplace
These outcomes matter to business leaders across industries.
Volunteering Requires Infrastructure
From a nonprofit perspective, hosting volunteers involves more than showing up.
It typically includes:
- Staff time to scope and manage projects
- Volunteer onboarding, supervision, and safety
- Supplies, space, and logistics
- Coordination before and after the event
Each of these elements has a real cost, even when no invoice is issued.
Understanding this helps business partners in ways that support nonprofit missions rather than unintentionally straining limited capacity.
What Makes a Day of Service Successful
- Start with listening: The most effective service days are built around priorities identified by nonprofit partners.
- Choose the right projects: One-day activities work best when projects are clearly defined and suited to short-term engagement.
- Support the full effort: Many strong service days pair volunteering with financial or in-kind support to cover supplies, staff time, or follow-up work.
- Prepare employees in advance: Context about the organization and purpose of the work improves the experience for everyone involved.
- Think beyond a single day: Ongoing engagement, whether repeat volunteering or longer-term partnerships, creates deeper impact.
Civic Infrastructure Matters
Northern Virginia benefits from organizations that help connect business capacity with community needs in coordinated, sustainable ways. Volunteer Fairfax is part of that civic infrastructure, supporting effective volunteer engagement across the region.
This infrastructure helps businesses engage in service with confidence, knowing their efforts are aligned with real needs and designed to be helpful to nonprofit partners.
A Stronger Region, Together
A well-planned Day of Service benefits everyone involved. Employees build skills and relationships. Nonprofits receive support that respects their capacity. The region benefits from stronger collaboration across sectors.
Approached with intention and partnership, service becomes part of how Northern Virginia builds a strong workforce and a resilient community.
By Jennifer Williamson, Chief Executive Officer of Volunteer Fairfax, Northern Virginia’s volunteer and civic engagement hub. Jennifer Williamson has over 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership and civic infrastructure. A 2025 FCPS Hall of Fame inductee, she serves as Vice Chair of the Virginia Service Foundation and holds multiple advanced degrees and industry certifications.
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