August 2009 Feature: Volunteering in America: Focusing on America’s Renewed Enthusiasm for Service
Resources to Support Volunteer Engagement
During these troubled economic times, nonprofits are facing the daunting challenge of increased demand for services with declining resources. Thankfully, more Americans are helping their neighbors and communities by volunteering.
The latest installment of the Corporation's annual Volunteering in America research was released in July 2009. Through a partnership with the U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics, this comprehensive collection of information on volunteering and civic engagement includes detailed multi-year data on volunteering trends and demographics in all 50 states, U.S. regions, and over 200 cities, and also ranks states and large and mid-size cities on volunteer rates.
The newly redesigned and updated interactive website – www.VolunteeringInAmerica.gov – is a rich resource that allows nonprofit leaders and policy makers to view significant data and assemble customized reports with information on national service and volunteering trends and demographics. The website includes detailed statistics on volunteering by region, state, and city; historical and trend data; links to volunteering research; and a volunteer opportunity search engine.
As the nation continues to face an economic crisis, it is increasingly important to understand how cities, nonprofits, and individuals respond to the increased need in communities. The Volunteering in America website provides tools, tips, and effective practices to help nonprofits, communities, and civic leaders strengthen their volunteer recruitment efforts and deepen their volunteers’ commitment to service. This information is an important platform for developing volunteer growth strategies and building the civic infrastructure of nonprofits and communities.
Some results of the current research from Volunteering in America indicate:
- An increase of one million volunteers — for a total of 61.8 million adults age 16 and older — engaged in service by volunteering through an organization (up from 26.2 to 26.4 percent in 2008).
- While formal volunteering in America has remained relatively stable, other less formal ways of serving have become more prominent. Neighborhood engagement in American communities is on the rise with a 31 percent increase in the number of people working with their neighbors (to 19.8 million). The changing landscape and strengthening of service in America may be due in part to increased participation among young adults who are leading the way in volunteering and neighborhood engagement.
- Results from a recent Corporation-funded John Hopkins University nationwide survey demonstrated that 80 percent of nonprofits have experienced significant economic stress, with more than a third citing "severe" stress. The causes are complex — from declining revenues, to increased cost for salaries, wages, and health benefits, to decreased cash flow due to a tight credit market.
- Against this background, when social needs have multiplied and numerous nonprofits have turned to volunteers, it is imperative that organizations are prepared to successfully manage the influx of people willing and ready to serve. While many nonprofits have benefitted from the increase in the number of volunteer hours served, volunteer retention remains a significant issue. For effective practices and approaches to help nonprofits strengthen their recruitment and retention strategies, see our Volunteering In America resources.
There is a growing consensus that volunteering helps to solve some of our nation's toughest problems. President Obama has demonstrated his belief in the power of volunteering by issuing a national call to service, encouraging more Americans to engage in meaningful service and volunteer in their communities. As part of this effort, the White House launched United We Serve, a sustained summer of service initiative to help expand the size and impact of the volunteer focus in America. Visit www.Serve.gov to connect with prospective volunteers and volunteering opportunities.
The Volunteering in America research is produced by the Corporation for National and Community Service. Find out more at www.VolunteeringInAmerica.gov.
Additional Resources:
Over the next several weeks, the Corporation plans to conduct a number of "Ask the Expert" webinars — where leading volunteer practitioners and researchers will facilitate discussions on service-related topics.
- Webinar 1: Volunteering in America, the Big Picture
July 29, 3:00 p.m. EDT - Webinar 2: Finding More Value in Volunteers During the Recession
August 3, 3:00 p.m. EDT - Webinar 3: Reaching the Young Non-college Adult
August 11, 3:00 p.m. EDT
