National Volunteer Week 2025 (May 19–25) is Australia’s biggest celebration of the people who give their time, energy, and care to help others. It’s a time to pause, appreciate, and elevate the everyday heroes who strengthen our communities — and this year’s theme, "Connecting Communities", couldn’t be more fitting.

Whether you’re managing a local initiative, leading a national program, or supporting the week with internal communications, this is your opportunity to turn appreciation into action. This guide shares actionable volunteer recognition ideas you can scale to suit your team and budget, so let’s dive in!

Why recognition of volunteers matters.

National Volunteer Week is more than just a calendar date — it’s a valuable opportunity to boost morale, encourage retention, and publicly honour those who give their time and energy to support others. Volunteers are the lifeblood of countless community organisations, contributing in ways that range from mentoring and environmental work to event support and admin. But meaningful volunteer recognition goes beyond a quick “thanks.”

When you show you’ve noticed someone’s unique contributions — whether with a personal shoutout or a flexible digital gift card — that gratitude lands differently. It’s not about the cost of the reward, it’s about the thought behind it.

Volunteer Recognition Ideas for National Volunteer Week

Here are practical, budget-flexible volunteer recognition ideas you can tailor to your team size and style during National Volunteer Week 2025:

Host a celebration (in-person or virtual):

Invite volunteers to a morning tea, BBQ, or Zoom thank-you session with guest speakers, music, or story sharing. This will help build a sense of community while showing appreciation for their hard work. 

Create personalised thank-you notes:

Handwritten cards or printed certificates that mention specific contributions can be incredibly meaningful.

Shine a spotlight:

Feature volunteers in your newsletters, social channels, or on a “Wall of Thanks” at your office or website.

Deliver branded Prezzee gift cards:

Let volunteers pick their own gift from hundreds of retailers with a Prezzee digital gift card. It’s quick, personal, and easy to manage at scale.

Organise fun awards:

Host a casual awards ceremony at your next team catch-up, morning tea, or community event — or go virtual with a fun slideshow and shout-outs over Zoom if your volunteers are spread out. Celebrate unique strengths — from “Most Enthusiastic” to “Quiet Achiever” or “Rookie of the Year.”

Encourage peer shoutouts:

Invite volunteers or staff to nominate each other for mini-awards or public appreciation. Reward the winner with a small treat like a 10$ gift card.  

Send care packages:

Add a personal touch with small snacks, team merchandise, or local treats delivered alongside a thank-you message.

Celebrate your volunteers with digital gift cards they can use their way. Prezzee makes it easy to personalise, schedule, and send gifts at scale — instantly.

These volunteer recognition ideas aren’t just thoughtful — they’re scalable and effective. Add them to your internal planning toolkit or share them as part of your National Volunteer Week resources pack.

 Add an image of happy people volunteering 

Creative volunteer recognition ideas to build energy throughout the week

Want to go beyond a one-time thank you? Consider making Volunteer Week a full celebration by creating an experience that unfolds over several days.

Run a daily volunteer spotlight:

Celebrate a different volunteer or team each day. Include a short story or quote and post it on social media or your intranet.

Create themed days:

Try something like “Motivation Monday,” “Thank You Thursday,” or “Feel Good Friday” with matching perks or activities. For example, Motivation Monday could start with a quick video from a community member explaining how a volunteer made a difference in their life, or a quick statement from a team leader over a video call.

Launch a photo wall or challenge:

 Ask volunteers to share pictures of themselves across social media in action or reflect on what volunteering means to them.

Offer surprise perks:

Send out digital coffee cards or a Prezzee gift card, thank-you notes from clients, or even a short message from the CEO each day.

Host a live wrap-up:

End the week with a virtual toast, slideshow, or awards ceremony to reflect on the impact your volunteers have made.

It’s a great way to build community, spark conversation, and help everyone feel part of something bigger. And with the theme Connecting Communities, now’s the perfect time to try it.

Make volunteer recognition easy and scalable with Prezzee

Planning a celebration with multiple events and volunteers? Prezzee makes it easy. Send personalised digital gift cards with just a few clicks, schedule delivery when it suits, and let recipients choose from top brands. It’s a smart, scalable way to show appreciation — no printing, posting, or hassle required.

Add an image of prezzee smart card

Small gestures, big impact

You don’t need a huge budget or fancy campaign to make Volunteer Week count. What really matters is intention.

By taking the time to offer personal, thoughtful recognition — whether it’s a note, a spotlight, or a digital gift card — you’re telling your volunteers that they matter. That their contribution is valued. And that they’re part of something worth celebrating.

Start planning now to make National Volunteer Week 2025 your most impactful yet. And when you’re ready to send gifts that feel personal and easy to manage, Prezzee is here to help.

FAQs: National Volunteer Week

When is National Volunteer Week 2025?

National Volunteer Week 2025 will be held from 19–25 May across Australia.

What is National Volunteer Week?

It’s an annual celebration of the work and impact of volunteers — a chance to publicly thank those who give their time to make a difference. Every year has its own distinctive theme, this year’s is "Connecting Communities".

How can we celebrate National Volunteer Week?

Use a mix of in-person events, shoutouts, social media stories, and digital gift cards to show your appreciation.

How do I reward volunteers meaningfully?

Choose gestures that feel personal — like branded gift cards, hand-written notes, or tailored awards. Recognition should reflect each person’s unique contribution.

Where can I find National Volunteer Week resources?

Visit Volunteering Australia or your state’s volunteering body for campaign materials, logos, and more.