Volunteering in America

New Research

Volunteering in America's Faith-Based Organizations (PDF 111 KB)

Intrinsic in the spirit and purpose of many faith-based organizations is a sentiment that it is important to make a difference by serving others—it is only natural that faith-based organizations and other nonprofit organizations work together to achieve the good they wish the see in the community. This document reviews some of the research from the Corporation for National and Community Service on the nexus of these in order to help guide the process of forming more effective collaborations.

Volunteers and the Economic Downturn (PDF 198 KB)

The recent economic crisis has subjected America's nonprofit organizations to considerable fiscal stress. To find out more about the response of nonprofits to the recent economic climate, the Corporation for National and Community Service partnered with the Johns Hopkins Nonprofit Listening Post Project on a national survey of nonprofits and AmeriCorps sponsor organizations. Findings include how nonprofits are responding to the crisis and how that impacts the role of volunteers within the organizations.

Pathways to Service: Learning from the potential volunteer's perspective (PDF 135 KB)

As volunteers become more vital to nonprofit organizations, understanding how to retain existing volunteers and recruit potential volunteers is critical. This report outlines key findings from the voices of current and potential volunteers, showing why they serve, barriers that keep them from service, and strategies that nonprofits can try to enhance retention and recruitment.

The New Volunteer Workforce (PDF 315 KB)

Nonprofits rely heavily on volunteers, but poor management can result in a volunteer's dissatisfaction. As a result, more than one-third of those who volunteer one year do not donate their time the next year at any nonprofit. That adds up to an estimated $38 billion in lost labor. To remedy this situation, nonprofit leaders must develop a more strategic approach to managing this overlooked and undervalued talent pool. This article highlights innovations in volunteer management and other strategies for retaining volunteers.

Volunteering in America Fact Sheet (PDF 484 KB)

As part of its mission to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through volunteering and service, the Corporation for National and Community Service conducts research on the volunteering habits of Americans. The VolunteeringInAmerica.gov site houses the most comprehensive collection of information on volunteering and national service in the U.S. This fact sheet includes the most recent highlights and key findings.

Health

Volunteering can make you healthier (PDF)

Even when controlling for other important factors, such as socio0economic status, age, and gender, research has shown that adults who volunteer are more likely to experience health benefits when it comes to longevity, mobility and mental health. The research indicates that volunteers need to commit a considerable amount of time to volunteering (about one to two hours per week) for there to be a significant relationship between volunteering and good health.

Older volunteers can gain greater health benefits than younger volunteers (PDF)

Volunteers ages 60 years and older are most likely to experience health benefits from their service. Some researchers hypothesize that younger volunteers may not experience the same benefits from volunteering because of the greater likelihood that their volunteering is obligatory.

Community Factors

Shorter commutes leave time for service (PDF)

Cities with shorter average commutes are more likely to have higher volunteering rates. Why is this? While it may be due, in part, to the fact that those who spend a considerable amount of time commuting to and from work would have less time for other activities, long commutes may also indicate that individuals spend more time isolated in their car and disconnected from both the communities in which they live and work.

Cities with more high school graduates have higher volunteer rates (PDF)

Research on civic participation indicates that the process of becoming an active citizen occurs through a reinforcing cycle in which resources, community engagement, and connections to others develop throughout an individual's life. Unfortunately, individuals who do not graduate from high school tend to lack these resources, opportunities, and connections, and are therefore less likely to enter into the cycle. Not only is this a concern on an individual level, but in fact research shows that metropolitan areas with low rates of high school graduation also tend to suffer lower rates of volunteering.