Volunteering rate sees record growth: Survey
The volunteering rate among Americans rose 22 percent from 2021 to 2023, representing a record expansion of formal volunteering over a two-year period, according to a new study.
The study from AmeriCorps, released Tuesday, found that 75.7 million Americans — more than 28 percent — volunteered from 2022 to 2023, according to a biennial survey of 45,000 American households conducted in partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau.
The new number reflects a 5.1 percentage-point increase in the volunteering rate since 2021, when the rate reached the lowest level ever recorded.
“We are witnessing a remarkable resurgence in volunteering. By focusing on impact rather than just counting hours of service, we are closing the gap between those in need and the support they deserve,” AmeriCorps CEO Michael D. Smith said in a statement.
“This data reflects the unwavering spirit of Americans coming together to uplift their communities, ensuring that everyone feels the transformative power of service. Together, we are building a stronger, more connected nation.”
Utah reported the highest formal volunteering rate of any state, at 46.6 percent, followed by Vermont at 40.5 percent, Minnesota and Nebraska at 40.3 percent and Kansas at 39.6 percent.
Utah also had the highest rate of informal volunteering at 68.2 percent.
Informal volunteering rates also rose overall, with more than 54 percent of Americans informally helping each other between September 2022 and 2023, a 3 percentage point increase over prior years. Twenty-two percent of people helped their neighbors serve others or do something positive for the community in the same time frame.
Additionally, 9 in 10 American workers said their workplace contributes to the community.
For the first time this year, AmeriCorps measured virtual volunteering and noted that a majority of individuals still volunteer in person.
Eighty-two percent of formal volunteers said they served completely in-person, averaging 64 hours of service between September 2022 and September 2023, while more than 13.4 million engaged in some form of virtual volunteering for an average of 95 hours of service during the studied time period.
The survey also measured people’s political participation.
In 2023, 9 percent of Americans attended public meetings, 7 percent donated to a political cause, 9 percent contacted public officials and 53 percent voted in local elections.
Seven percent reported they gave more than $25 to a political organization, party, or campaign between September 2022 and 2023, while almost 49 percent said they gave more than $25 to a nonpolitical group during the same time frame.
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