It is another thing to depend upon them to fill the gaps left by failures and cutbacks in welfare and other government programs. In this light, it is decidedly not the thought that counts. Volunteerism is often understood as a virtue, but now it should also be understood as a market. And viewed that way, it is an inefficient one. Most volunteers are not deployed effectively to solve the hardest, and most critical problems.
Management is often poor, and amazingly little is known about which volunteer programs really work.
To an extent rarely acknowledged publicly, especially by many conservatives, the volunteer sector is not ready for the responsibilities now being thrust upon it. For more information, contact . The foundation also has launched a new program, the Frances Hesselbein Community Innovation Fellows Program. One-year fellowships will be provided to leaders in the nonprofit sector whose work demonstrates leadership, entrepreneurship and community innovation. Leaders Circles is the result of year-long, extensive research on collaboration funded by The McKnight Foundation.