“Volunteering is at the very core of being a human. No one has made it through life without someone else’s help.” – Heather French Henry
Have you considered volunteering for a group, cause, or project? Maybe there’s an upcoming local event that requires help with anything from fundraising to scheduling speakers to cleaning up after everyone else leaves. If you’ve ever willingly assisted or provided a service without pay, you’ve been a volunteer. If so, you’re probably aware of the constant need. And there are also personal benefits of volunteering that may surprise you!
Volunteering makes the world go round
Donating time and expertise can boost the outcomes for organizations and communities. With their limited budgets, nonprofits and local groups can’t fulfill missions or meet goals without generous assistance from unpaid volunteers. The financial impact of volunteers is huge—about $167.2 billion in 2023, or $33.50 an hour. This allows these groups to spend their funds directly on achieving their mission and expanding their services…thanks to you.
What organizations rely on volunteers?
- Schools and educational programs
- Hospitals and Hotlines
- Food banks
- Shelters of all types
- Civic organizations
- Faith-based institutions
- Sports and hobby clubs
Who is most likely to volunteer?
- Women of all ages
- Gen X (1965-1980) in formal volunteering
- Baby Boomers (1946-1964) in informal volunteering
- People with higher education, both formally and informally
- Parents of school-age children
- Veterans
Improving mind and body With Acts of Kindness
Researchers have long demonstrated the striking correlation between acts of kindness and well-being. Your altruistic efforts can result in a healthier and happier you.
Compared to non-volunteers, people who volunteer may experience:
Mental benefits
- Less depression and anxiety
- Reduced loneliness
- More life satisfaction
- Greater sense of pride and purpose
- Increased self-confidence
- Better connection with others
- Stronger social networks
Physical benefits
- More exercise and movement
- Reduced abdominal fat
- Lower blood glucose level
- Improved cholesterol numbers
- Better cognitive function
- Decreased blood pressure
- Boosted immune system
Formal and Informal: Both are important
Formal: When you provide help through an established foundation or organization, such as tutoring students, canvassing for a cause, or planting trees with a conservation group, you’re doing formal volunteering. Perhaps you may be invited to serve as a board member or officer for a local nonprofit organization. These opportunities show measurable results that can ensure that essential goals are met. Training is provided.
More than 28% of Americans (about 76 million) formally volunteered between September 2022-2023. In the span of those two years, the rate increased more than 22%, showing that after the pandemic, people have been eager to contribute to the common good.
Informal: When you assist family, friends, or neighbors with tasks, such as running errands, babysitting, or lending tools, you’re doing valuable informal volunteering. Even small gestures, like shoveling a sidewalk or picking up roadside trash benefits yourself and others. You may not think of this as an act of kindness, but you’re contributing to a better community.
More than 54% of Americans (about 138 million) provided informal volunteering between September 2022-2023. This number is 3% higher than previous surveys. Communities prosper when individuals care for and about their neighbors.
Where to find opportunities
If you’re not sure where to start, try Idealist (formerly VolunteerMatch) which matches your interests with local organizations. Idealist lists the opportunities within your region, as well as remote/at-home ways to help, such as a volunteer crisis counselor.
Want to focus on girls and women to promote equality and fairness? This link from AARP will give you a wide range of opportunities that may inspire you. Females in every situation need assistance from you.
For those with professional expertise, reach out to local groups or professional association to offer your skills as a mentor or an unpaid worker. Volunteer to give talks at schools, civic events, or conferences.
If you have experience in medicine, public health, safety, logistics, or similar areas, the Medical Reserve Corps may be a good fit for volunteering. The Department of Health and Human Services prepares volunteers across the country to provide assistance during emergencies and other community-based services.
“Volunteering is an act of heroism on a grand scale. And it matters profoundly. It does more than help people beat the odds; it changes the odds.” -William J. Clinton
Sources:
Burger E. 40 Volunteer Statistics That Will Blow Your Mind, VolunteerHub.com, 9 November 2021. Accessed online 14 January 2025.
Lawton R, Gramatki J, Watt W, Fujiwara D, Does Volunteering Make Us Happier, or Are Happier People More Likely to Volunteer? Addressing the Problem of Reverse Causality When Estimating the Wellbeing Impacts of Volunteering. Journal of Happiness Studies, 17 March 2020. Accessed online 16 January 2025.
Merschel M. Help others, help yourself? Why volunteering can be good for you. American Heart Association, 14 April 2023. Accessed online 16 January 2025.
Solan M, Happy Days: Research links increased happiness with greater health. But can you “make” yourself a happier person? Harvard Health Publishing, 1 December 2024. Accessed online 17 January 2025.
Timmes M, The Value Of Professional Volunteerism, Forbes, 25 March 2024. Accessed online
18 January 2025.
USAFacts, How many Americans volunteer? Updated 12 December 2024. Accessed online 17 January 2025.
Volunteering and Civic Life in America Research Survey, 2022-2023. AmeriCorps and U.S. Census Bureau, Press Release 19 November 2024. Accessed online 14 January 2025.
Volunteering and its Surprising Benefits. HelpGuide.org, Los Angeles, CA. Last updated/reviewed 14 August 2024. Accessed online 16 January 2025.