For more than 50 years, RSVP Volunteers has played a vital role in the Greater Philadelphia community, empowering skilled volunteers to make a difference.
An RSVP volunteer can be many things: a coach, a consultant, a trusted advisor, a friend or a helping hand. RSVP’s programs address critical community needs like literacy and math support, digital skills training, nonprofit consulting and food security.
The organization serves over 11,000 individuals annually, advancing education and wellness initiatives and supporting hundreds of nonprofit partners.
RSVP’s volunteers help individuals of all ages thrive and enhance their well-being.
Volunteers create new connections and relationships with community members, boosting the quality of life for all involved. These volunteers assist in schools, libraries, community centers and more, often providing essential services that organizations could not offer without the power of volunteers.
One of RSVP’s impact areas is educational support. Volunteers work with students to improve reading and math skills, addressing critical learning gaps that have widened in recent years. These efforts ensure that students, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds, have the foundational skills needed for academic success.
RSVP also plays a crucial role in food security. The organization recruits and trains volunteers who support food pantries and programs like Meals on Wheels, delivering nutritious meals to seniors and providing essential food assistance. Just last year, RSVP’s volunteers served over 9,500 hours supporting food security.
Another vital program is digital literacy training, where volunteers teach community members essential digital skills, including how to safely navigate the internet. Online scams have grown, using multiple tools to trick digital users resulting in identity theft or stolen funds. In today’s increasingly digital world, these skills are essential for staying safe and connected — 92% of RSVP’s Digital Literacy clients reported that the training increased their ability to stay safe online.
RSVP’s success is rooted in the AmeriCorps Seniors RSVP program, a federal initiative designed to engage adults aged 55+ in meaningful volunteer opportunities. This foundational support accounts for one-third of RSVP’s annual budget, enabling the organization to recruit, train and support volunteers who provide essential services throughout the community.
The value of RSVP Volunteers cannot be overstated. In 2024 alone, RSVP’s volunteers contributed 43,501 hours of service in Greater Philadelphia, equivalent to over $1.4 million in community impact.
Continued funding matters to your community
AmeriCorps Seniors is under federal review, and some programs have faced cuts or funding limits. While RSVP has not yet been affected, the possibility of reduced support poses a significant risk to the community.
Cuts to AmeriCorps Seniors funding would directly hinder RSVP’s ability to maintain its programs and continue delivering critical services at no cost to those in need.
The loss of this vital funding would mean fewer volunteers supporting food security programs like Meals on Wheels and local food pantries. It would also impact RSVP’s ability to continue educational support programs, which are critical at a time when many students are struggling to keep up academically.
Additionally, cuts could reduce the availability of digital literacy training, leaving more adults vulnerable to online fraud and scams. Reducing RSVP’s capacity to support these initiatives would leave thousands of community members without consistent access to nutrition, essential learning support, and digital safety education.
RSVP Volunteers depends on the understanding and support of its impact programs. Supporting RSVP means investing in education, workforce development, food security and nonprofit sustainability, creating stronger, more resilient communities.
Lost investments in RSVP will trickle down to the communities it serves and ultimately weaken community resilience and disrupt support for those who need it most.
How you can help
RSVP needs your support to continue to serve its mission. You can help by volunteering, educating local legislators on the importance of continued AmeriCorps Seniors support, or donating. By raising awareness about the positive difference RSVP makes, you can help protect the vital services that so many community members rely on.
To learn more or get involved, visit www.rsvpmc.org.
RSVP Volunteers creates and runs unique community programs powered by skilled volunteers to advance education and wellness for all ages and strengthen nonprofits through capacity-building and volunteer services.
