The 12-Month Window: Preparing Your Volunteer Program for 2027

Who should attend

Volunteer managers, directors of volunteer services, operations leaders, and executive directors at food banks and nonprofits running large or fast-growing volunteer programs, especially anyone heading into budget planning for 2027.

Speakers

Andrea Richardson, Director of Volunteer Services, Houston Food Bank

Results-driven non-profit leader with extensive experience directing large-scale volunteer programs, special events, and community engagement across the Greater Houston area. Currently serving as the Director of Volunteer Services at the Houston Food Bank, leveraging a strong background in volunteer management, operational strategy, and donor relations to drive community impact and support local hunger-relief initiatives.

Martin O’Neill, Head of Marketing, North America, Rosterfy (Host)

Martin leads Rosterfy’s North American marketing strategy, helping non-profits and community organizations leverage technology to engage, retain, and scale volunteer workforces. He specializes in connecting volunteer leaders with the tools and insights needed to streamline operations and maximize community impact.

What's Changing for Nonprofits in North America

Demand is rising as funding tightens. In the Center for Effective Philanthropy’s 2025 survey, 65% of nonprofit leaders reported increased demand and 69% experienced funding cuts.

The safety net is shifting. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates SNAP participation fell by more than 4.5 million people between July 2025 and April 2026. From October 2027, states with high error rates will face new financial penalties, so more households are likely to turn to community organizations.

The volunteer base is changing. Long-time volunteers are aging out, and younger people prefer one-time, event-based opportunities. In Canada, 44% of people volunteered in 2022, down from 53% a decade earlier.

What this means for you. These pressures won’t ease on their own, and responding takes time. Organizations that modernize their systems and plan for 2027 now will be ready when demand peaks.

About Houston Food Bank

Founded in 1982, the Houston Food Bank is the nation’s largest food bank in distribution, serving an 18-county network across Southeast Texas. Driven by its mission of “Food for better lives,” the organization provides access to more than 140 million meals annually alongside wraparound services—including nutrition education, job training, and disaster relief—to address the root causes of food insecurity.

About RKD Group

RKD Group is a leading fundraising and marketing agency dedicated exclusively to the non-profit sector. Combining data-driven strategy, technology, and creative storytelling, RKD helps non-profits build meaningful donor relationships, accelerate net revenue, and maximize their mission’s impact.