America prides itself on its charitable nature, but how charitable are we, and have volunteer rates changed since the COVID-19 pandemic? Statistics on volunteering can reveal the truth about what truly influences volunteers and how we can best communicate and encourage them to participate. This article will share volunteer trends and insights into who you should recruit and how.
In 2021, 60.7 million adults (23.2%) volunteered with a nonprofit organization. Many smaller organizations are entirely volunteer-based. These organizations have a significant impact on their communities and the world and could not continue without helpful people willing to spend their free time working with children, animals, and seniors or freshening up a building that needs a little TLC.
Nonprofit volunteering has evolved over the years. The COVID-19 pandemic certainly played a role, but technological changes and societal expectations have had an even greater impact. In this article, we’ll share several volunteer statistics that can help you attract the best volunteers and may change the way nonprofit organizations work in the future.
It’s no surprise that the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on America’s volunteer rates. Informal volunteering, like helping a friend or neighbor, didn’t statistically change during this time, but formal volunteering dropped from 30% in 2019 to 23% in 2021. During this time, there was also a higher drop in women’s volunteer rates (8%) than men (5%).
The interesting statistic on volunteering after the pandemic is that the rates seem to have rebounded. According to the VolunteerPro 2024 Volunteer Management Progress Report, nearly half of nonprofits reported over 250 active volunteers. Before the pandemic, the average was 101-250 volunteers.
While volunteer rates may be relatively unaffected by the pandemic, other environmental impacts have changed volunteering for the long term. According to a Zapier study, more than 59% of Americans plan to volunteer in 2022 and more than a third (36%) of these individuals were volunteering virtually. The current work environment has adapted to working from home, and nonprofits can be no different. Offering more virtual volunteer opportunities with tools like peer-to-peer fundraising is critical for many organizations’ long-term success.
Another area that continues to grow is corporate volunteering. Companies know the following statistics better than most.
They’ve adapted, and today, nearly 60% of companies offer paid volunteer time to their employees. Corporate volunteers can also become significant donors. Nonprofit organizations that don’t take advantage of these opportunities are missing out!
Another area in which for-profit companies are ahead of nonprofits is with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) plans. Luckily, that is quickly changing. In 2018, only 27% had a DEI plan. Today, that has grown to 47%. Of the organizations that made this change, 87.2% have seen limited to phenomenal changes.
So, who are these people willing to volunteer? The following statistics haven’t changed much over the last decade, but they do provide a better picture of who your volunteers are.
According to Americorps, women formally volunteer at higher rates, but that flips when it comes to informal volunteer rates.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) broke down these numbers even further. The average hours that volunteers give can make a real difference to nonprofits. BLS volunteer statistics show that more women engage in volunteer activities per day, but the average hours of male volunteers are greater.
Age is another key demographic, and it shows nonprofits how best to communicate with them. Americorp has broken down formal volunteer rates for ages 16 to 85+.
Time and health can significantly impact an individual’s ability to volunteer. This may be why Generation X has the highest formal volunteering rate at 27.2%, and the Silent Generation or Older has the lowest formal volunteering rate at 18%.
Education can greatly impact a person’s ability and interest in volunteering. Volunteer statistics show that those with a Graduate degree have the highest volunteering rate at 42.2%, and those with only a high school degree have the lowest volunteering rate at 13.5%. On the other hand, these statistics don’t show informal volunteer rates.
It’s important to note that these statistics may not account for the impact of technological advancements in recruiting these volunteers. College students and seniors may be unavailable for traditional volunteer jobs, but virtual events and fundraising campaigns can excite these individuals and build a stronger way for your nonprofit to connect.
Other interesting statistics show how a person’s lifestyle can affect their volunteer rates. Veterans have spent their whole careers in service, but when it comes to formal volunteer statistics, they only lead non-veterans by a minuscule amount.
Parenting can have a greater impact on an individual’s interest in volunteering. As there is so much need and various opportunities for parents to volunteer with their children’s schools, parents have a much greater volunteer rate than non-parents.
Volunteering can have a greater impact on your community and the world than any other activity, and many Americans have taken this to heart. Even after the COVID-19 pandemic, formal volunteering has remained a primary activity for close to a quarter of Americans.
Nonprofits can increase this number and encourage more volunteer activity by changing their communication styles and online volunteer activities. They must also find ways to reach a larger and more diverse populace. Corporate volunteer programs are an excellent way to reach a larger volunteer base. One large group activity with a business can connect you with a host of new volunteers and future donors.
After all, volunteers and donors are cut from the same cloth. 67% of donors are also nonprofit volunteers. So, nonprofits must focus on building strong relationships with volunteers and find ways to connect their efforts to the organization’s mission.
Volunteer training and onboarding will have a significant impact on your organization’s recruitment efforts. Onboarding training activities and volunteer appreciation events engage and motivate volunteers. Personalized communication plans and outreach efforts further increase recruitment rates and can help you build long-lasting relationships.
As we can see, some of our expectations about what affects volunteer rates are overblown. The COVID-19 pandemic had a serious short-term impact on nonprofit volunteer rates, but new reports are showing a return to normal. Volunteer statistics also show us that the individuals we assume will volunteer more – may not, and others can surprise you.
It’s essential to monitor your volunteer base to learn more about your volunteers and how best to influence and communicate with them. Technology has given nonprofits an entirely new way to connect and inspire volunteers and donors. Tools like online recruitment, management, and peer-to-peer fundraising tools can help you reach younger generations. Donorbox + POINT integration can help you get started.
As you continue to develop your organization’s volunteer program, you must continue to invest in DEI initiatives and other ways to connect with a larger community. Sign up with Donorbox to receive more information on how to recruit, communicate, and solicit volunteers, and watch your organization soar into the future.
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Kristine Ensor is a freelance writer with over a decade of experience working with local and international nonprofits. As a nonprofit professional she has specialized in fundraising, marketing, event planning, volunteer management, and board development.
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Kristine Ensor