Years ago, I knew a woman who had the busiest schedule I’ve ever seen.

Between her full-time job, her kids’ sports and caring for her elderly mum, I couldn’t imagine how she managed to get through her day. Yet somehow, she still found time to volunteer—not by leading committees or giving hours each week but by slipping in tiny tasks during her coffee breaks at work. Over the course of a year, her 15-minute efforts added up to almost 50 hours of support for a local charity.

That is the power of what I call “coffee break volunteering.” It’s an idea that, similar to micro-volunteering, fits into the reality of modern life. People want to give back but they don’t always have big chunks of time to commit. It is like mini-micro-volunteering.

Leaders of volunteers who make space for these short bursts of service can widen their reach, attract new supporters and benefit from contributions that might otherwise never be offered.

It works because there are almost no barriers.

Traditional volunteering often carries the assumption of lengthy shifts, weekly commitments or scheduled training. For many potential volunteers, they are barriers. But almost everyone can spare 15 minutes here and there. By creating opportunities that fit into those tiny windows, you make it easier for busy professionals, parents, students, or anyone else with full calendars to get........

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