GITNUXREPORT 2025

Community Service Statistics

Community service boosts education, health, economy, and community engagement significantly.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

78% of nonprofits state they rely on volunteers for their operations

Statistic 2

25% of volunteers volunteer more than 100 hours per year, indicating high engagement levels

Statistic 3

Over 65% of nonprofit organizations report difficulty in recruiting volunteers

Statistic 4

In 2020, community service hours decreased by 8% due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but rebounded strongly in 2022

Statistic 5

Volunteer turnover rates are approximately 30% annually, impacting program stability

Statistic 6

Volunteer-driven food banks operate with an average of 90% volunteer staffing, significantly reducing operational costs

Statistic 7

More than 90% of nonprofits rely on volunteers for at least some of their programs, emphasizing the importance of community service

Statistic 8

Community service programs focusing on youth show a 60% reduction in delinquent behavior among participants

Statistic 9

Women are more likely to volunteer than men, with 30% of women volunteering compared to 25% of men

Statistic 10

Approximately 21% of adults participate in religious community service activities

Statistic 11

Millennials and Gen Z are the most active age groups in community service, making up 40% of volunteers

Statistic 12

Volunteerism rates are higher among college students, with 48% participating in some form of community service

Statistic 13

People living in urban areas are 15% more likely to volunteer than those in rural areas

Statistic 14

Rural communities have seen a 22% increase in volunteerism during the last decade

Statistic 15

The average age of volunteers is 42 years old, showing a broad engagement across age groups

Statistic 16

The median age of volunteers in faith-based organizations is 57 years old, indicating strong engagement among older adults

Statistic 17

48% of volunteers participate in community service for more than one year, showing long-term commitment

Statistic 18

Volunteer hours contributed by corporate employees during company-sponsored events have increased by 25% over the past five years

Statistic 19

Approximately 77 million Americans volunteer annually, contributing over 6 billion hours of service

Statistic 20

The economic value of volunteer time in the U.S. was estimated at $187 billion in 2022

Statistic 21

Complete community engagement can increase local civic participation by 30%

Statistic 22

Annual corporate volunteering initiatives cover an estimated 10 million volunteer hours, worth approximately $250 million in services

Statistic 23

Community service has been linked to decreased healthcare costs due to improved mental health

Statistic 24

The nonprofit sector accounts for approximately 5.2% of the U.S. GDP, powered largely by volunteer work

Statistic 25

The U.S. has seen a steady increase in community gardening projects, with over 20,000 active community gardens nationwide

Statistic 26

Community service has helped reduce recidivism rates among ex-offenders by approximately 15%, through mentorship and rehabilitation programs

Statistic 27

85% of organizations report that volunteer involvement improves service quality

Statistic 28

The economic impact of volunteer activities in health-related services is valued at over $80 billion annually in the U.S.

Statistic 29

65% of communities with active volunteer programs see an increase in local economic activity, driven by volunteer-led projects

Statistic 30

Youths aged 16-24 who participate in community service are 50% more likely to pursue higher education

Statistic 31

63% of Americans believe that volunteering improves overall well-being

Statistic 32

Nearly 60% of community volunteers reported gaining new skills

Statistic 33

The top reason Americans volunteer is to give back to their community, cited by 75% of volunteers

Statistic 34

Over 50% of volunteers report that volunteering helps them connect with others

Statistic 35

High school students participating in community service are 20% more likely to graduate high school on time

Statistic 36

42% of Americans who volunteered in 2021 did so through religious organizations

Statistic 37

Over 88% of volunteers report feeling a sense of accomplishment after community service

Statistic 38

The majority of volunteers (about 70%) are motivated by personal growth and development

Statistic 39

54% of volunteers are inspired by friends or family to get involved

Statistic 40

80% of volunteers report that they have gained confidence and new skills through service activities

Statistic 41

35% of volunteers report that community service has improved their mental health

Statistic 42

Approximately 45% of volunteers are motivated by personal values and a desire to make a difference

Statistic 43

Community service programs that incorporate education have an 85% retention rate among participants

Statistic 44

30% of community volunteers have reported that their involvement led to new job opportunities

Statistic 45

Community service participation increases civic pride among residents by up to 25%

Statistic 46

More than 40% of volunteers participate through workplace programs, known as corporate social responsibility initiatives

Statistic 47

Over 70% of older adults believe that volunteering is a good way to stay active and healthy

Statistic 48

65% of volunteers report that their service experience has improved their perception of their community

Statistic 49

Nearly 50% of volunteers are inspired to continue service after experiencing the positive social impact firsthand

Statistic 50

Community service helps develop leadership skills in 78% of youth volunteers, making them more likely to pursue leadership roles later

Statistic 51

The top three motivations for volunteering are to help others, personal growth, and community improvement, cited by over 80% of volunteers

Statistic 52

70% of older adults say that volunteering helps them stay mentally alert and active

Statistic 53

The most common types of community service include youth mentoring, food distribution, and environmental cleanup

Statistic 54

In the U.S., the most common volunteer activity is donating food or clothing, followed by tutoring and mentoring

Statistic 55

40% of community service programs include a focus on environmental sustainability, such as recycling and conservation efforts

Slide 1 of 55

Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

Approximately 77 million Americans volunteer annually, contributing over 6 billion hours of service
The economic value of volunteer time in the U.S. was estimated at $187 billion in 2022
Youths aged 16-24 who participate in community service are 50% more likely to pursue higher education
63% of Americans believe that volunteering improves overall well-being
Nearly 60% of community volunteers reported gaining new skills
Women are more likely to volunteer than men, with 30% of women volunteering compared to 25% of men
The top reason Americans volunteer is to give back to their community, cited by 75% of volunteers
Over 50% of volunteers report that volunteering helps them connect with others
Approximately 21% of adults participate in religious community service activities
78% of nonprofits state they rely on volunteers for their operations
Millennials and Gen Z are the most active age groups in community service, making up 40% of volunteers
Volunteerism rates are higher among college students, with 48% participating in some form of community service
The most common types of community service include youth mentoring, food distribution, and environmental cleanup

Did you know that nearly 77 million Americans dedicate over 6 billion hours each year to volunteering, creating an economic value of $187 billion and transforming communities across the nation?

Challenges, Participation Patterns, and Organizational Reliance

78% of nonprofits state they rely on volunteers for their operations
25% of volunteers volunteer more than 100 hours per year, indicating high engagement levels
Over 65% of nonprofit organizations report difficulty in recruiting volunteers
In 2020, community service hours decreased by 8% due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but rebounded strongly in 2022
Volunteer turnover rates are approximately 30% annually, impacting program stability
Volunteer-driven food banks operate with an average of 90% volunteer staffing, significantly reducing operational costs
More than 90% of nonprofits rely on volunteers for at least some of their programs, emphasizing the importance of community service
Community service programs focusing on youth show a 60% reduction in delinquent behavior among participants

Challenges, Participation Patterns, and Organizational Reliance Interpretation

While 78% of nonprofits depend on volunteers and over 90% incorporate community service, the high turnover and recruitment challenges—exacerbated by the pandemic—highlight that sustaining a committed volunteer workforce remains the unpaid yet vital backbone of community progress.

Demographic Trends in Volunteerism

Women are more likely to volunteer than men, with 30% of women volunteering compared to 25% of men
Approximately 21% of adults participate in religious community service activities
Millennials and Gen Z are the most active age groups in community service, making up 40% of volunteers
Volunteerism rates are higher among college students, with 48% participating in some form of community service
People living in urban areas are 15% more likely to volunteer than those in rural areas
Rural communities have seen a 22% increase in volunteerism during the last decade
The average age of volunteers is 42 years old, showing a broad engagement across age groups
The median age of volunteers in faith-based organizations is 57 years old, indicating strong engagement among older adults
48% of volunteers participate in community service for more than one year, showing long-term commitment
Volunteer hours contributed by corporate employees during company-sponsored events have increased by 25% over the past five years

Demographic Trends in Volunteerism Interpretation

Community service reflects a dynamic blend of youthful zeal, seasoned dedication, and urban engagement, revealing that while women and Millennials lead the charge, older adults and rural communities are quietly strengthening the fabric of civic life—proving that volunteering is truly a lifelong and geographically diverse phenomenon.

Economic and Community Impact

Approximately 77 million Americans volunteer annually, contributing over 6 billion hours of service
The economic value of volunteer time in the U.S. was estimated at $187 billion in 2022
Complete community engagement can increase local civic participation by 30%
Annual corporate volunteering initiatives cover an estimated 10 million volunteer hours, worth approximately $250 million in services
Community service has been linked to decreased healthcare costs due to improved mental health
The nonprofit sector accounts for approximately 5.2% of the U.S. GDP, powered largely by volunteer work
The U.S. has seen a steady increase in community gardening projects, with over 20,000 active community gardens nationwide
Community service has helped reduce recidivism rates among ex-offenders by approximately 15%, through mentorship and rehabilitation programs
85% of organizations report that volunteer involvement improves service quality
The economic impact of volunteer activities in health-related services is valued at over $80 billion annually in the U.S.
65% of communities with active volunteer programs see an increase in local economic activity, driven by volunteer-led projects

Economic and Community Impact Interpretation

While nearly 77 million Americans dedicate over 6 billion hours annually—worth an astounding $187 billion—community engagement not only boosts local economies by up to 30% but also proves to be a cost-effective prescription for better mental health, lower healthcare costs, and reduced recidivism, illustrating that in the volunteer-driven nonprofit sector, giving is truly getting—economically, socially, and civically.

Motivations and Benefits of Volunteering

Youths aged 16-24 who participate in community service are 50% more likely to pursue higher education
63% of Americans believe that volunteering improves overall well-being
Nearly 60% of community volunteers reported gaining new skills
The top reason Americans volunteer is to give back to their community, cited by 75% of volunteers
Over 50% of volunteers report that volunteering helps them connect with others
High school students participating in community service are 20% more likely to graduate high school on time
42% of Americans who volunteered in 2021 did so through religious organizations
Over 88% of volunteers report feeling a sense of accomplishment after community service
The majority of volunteers (about 70%) are motivated by personal growth and development
54% of volunteers are inspired by friends or family to get involved
80% of volunteers report that they have gained confidence and new skills through service activities
35% of volunteers report that community service has improved their mental health
Approximately 45% of volunteers are motivated by personal values and a desire to make a difference
Community service programs that incorporate education have an 85% retention rate among participants
30% of community volunteers have reported that their involvement led to new job opportunities
Community service participation increases civic pride among residents by up to 25%
More than 40% of volunteers participate through workplace programs, known as corporate social responsibility initiatives
Over 70% of older adults believe that volunteering is a good way to stay active and healthy
65% of volunteers report that their service experience has improved their perception of their community
Nearly 50% of volunteers are inspired to continue service after experiencing the positive social impact firsthand
Community service helps develop leadership skills in 78% of youth volunteers, making them more likely to pursue leadership roles later
The top three motivations for volunteering are to help others, personal growth, and community improvement, cited by over 80% of volunteers
70% of older adults say that volunteering helps them stay mentally alert and active

Motivations and Benefits of Volunteering Interpretation

Community service not only boosts community pride and individual well-being but also acts as a catalyst for personal growth, increased educational pursuits, and leadership development, proving that giving back is as much an investment in oneself as it is in society.

Types and Characteristics of Volunteer Activities

The most common types of community service include youth mentoring, food distribution, and environmental cleanup
In the U.S., the most common volunteer activity is donating food or clothing, followed by tutoring and mentoring
40% of community service programs include a focus on environmental sustainability, such as recycling and conservation efforts

Types and Characteristics of Volunteer Activities Interpretation

With nearly half of community service programs emphasizing environmental sustainability and volunteers frequently donating food, clothing, and mentoring youth, Americans are aptly blending their generous spirit with a green conscience—proving that community aid and ecological stewardship can go hand in hand.