GITNUXREPORT 2025

Volunteer Statistics

Americans volunteer 52 hours annually, improving health, community, and social bonds.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Approximately 30% of Americans volunteered through an organization in 2022

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Young people aged 16-24 are most likely to volunteer, with a participation rate of 36%

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Women volunteer at a higher rate (29%) than men (24%) in the US

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The average age of volunteers in the US is 41 years

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15% of volunteers have a disability

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22% of volunteers are students

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In Canada, 42% of the population volunteered at least once in 2022

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Volunteer participation among seniors (65+) is about 21%

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11 million youth volunteers participated in 2022

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27% of American volunteers have college degrees

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Hispanic volunteers are 25% more likely to volunteer than non-Hispanics

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Millennials make up 27% of volunteers in the US

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15% of volunteers are recent immigrants

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Volunteers aged 45-64 make up 26% of the volunteer population

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18 million children and youth participated in volunteer activities in 2022

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70% of volunteers said volunteering improves their mental health

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The most common reason for volunteering is to give back to the community, cited by 63% of volunteers

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45% of volunteers are motivated by social interaction

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37% of volunteers are motivated by personal growth and skill development

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55% of volunteers are motivated by religious or spiritual reasons

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78% of volunteers feel their efforts make a difference

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33% of volunteers prefer to help through skill-based volunteering

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63% of employers in the US encourage employee volunteering

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35% of volunteers report their volunteering experience helped them find employment

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52% of volunteers say they volunteer to meet new people

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The most common motivation for volunteering is altruism, cited by 70% of volunteers

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82% of volunteers are motivated by a desire to help others

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The top three benefits of volunteering include improved mental health, increased social connections, and skill development

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39% of volunteers report volunteering to improve their community

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The biggest barrier to volunteering is lack of time, cited by 55% of non-volunteers

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44% of volunteers are motivated by family involvement

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80% of organizations report difficulty in recruiting volunteers

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Nonprofits spend an average of 27% of their budget on volunteer management

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40% of volunteers participate in environmental conservation activities

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The top three sectors for volunteering are community service, education, and health

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49% of volunteers participate in online or virtual volunteering activities

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The median number of volunteering hours per year in the US is 10 hours

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The most common volunteer activity is providing transportation, with 24% participating

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The number of volunteer opportunities has increased by 12% over the past five years

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Religious volunteering accounts for 38% of all volunteer activity

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During the pandemic, virtual volunteering increased by 50%

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The average volunteering time per volunteer was 52 hours in 2022

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26% of volunteers prefer to volunteer on weekends

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60% of volunteers report high satisfaction with their volunteering experience

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Volunteer retention rate for new volunteers is approximately 45% after one year

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68% of volunteers found their experience through social media

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15% of volunteers report being more engaged in civic activities after volunteering

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69% of volunteers are satisfied with the opportunities available to them

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74% of volunteers reported gaining new skills

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Organizational volunteer programs have a 65% retention rate after two years

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50% of volunteer hours are contributed by 25% of volunteers

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48% of volunteers find the experience personally rewarding

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86% of volunteers feel more connected to their community after volunteering

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The average duration of volunteering commitments is 2.5 years

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70% of volunteers in the US are satisfied with the impact of their work

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Nonprofit organizations report that for every dollar spent on volunteer recruitment, $5.20 in value is generated

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Key Highlights

Approximately 30% of Americans volunteered through an organization in 2022
The average volunteering time per volunteer was 52 hours in 2022
Young people aged 16-24 are most likely to volunteer, with a participation rate of 36%
70% of volunteers said volunteering improves their mental health
The most common reason for volunteering is to give back to the community, cited by 63% of volunteers
26% of volunteers prefer to volunteer on weekends
45% of volunteers are motivated by social interaction
Women volunteer at a higher rate (29%) than men (24%) in the US
37% of volunteers are motivated by personal growth and skill development
40% of volunteers participate in environmental conservation activities
The average age of volunteers in the US is 41 years
15% of volunteers have a disability
55% of volunteers are motivated by religious or spiritual reasons

Did you know that nearly one-third of Americans volunteered in 2022, with young people leading the charge, and over 70% of volunteers claiming that their efforts boost mental health and foster community connection?

Demographics and Volunteer Characteristics

Approximately 30% of Americans volunteered through an organization in 2022
Young people aged 16-24 are most likely to volunteer, with a participation rate of 36%
Women volunteer at a higher rate (29%) than men (24%) in the US
The average age of volunteers in the US is 41 years
15% of volunteers have a disability
22% of volunteers are students
In Canada, 42% of the population volunteered at least once in 2022
Volunteer participation among seniors (65+) is about 21%
11 million youth volunteers participated in 2022
27% of American volunteers have college degrees
Hispanic volunteers are 25% more likely to volunteer than non-Hispanics
Millennials make up 27% of volunteers in the US
15% of volunteers are recent immigrants
Volunteers aged 45-64 make up 26% of the volunteer population
18 million children and youth participated in volunteer activities in 2022

Demographics and Volunteer Characteristics Interpretation

While about 30% of Americans volunteered in 2022—highlighting a commendable commitment across age, gender, and educational lines—it's notably the youthful and female populations, along with multicultural communities, that lead the charge, reminding us that altruism often flourishes when enthusiasm, opportunity, and a sense of purpose converge.

Motivations and Attitudes

70% of volunteers said volunteering improves their mental health
The most common reason for volunteering is to give back to the community, cited by 63% of volunteers
45% of volunteers are motivated by social interaction
37% of volunteers are motivated by personal growth and skill development
55% of volunteers are motivated by religious or spiritual reasons
78% of volunteers feel their efforts make a difference
33% of volunteers prefer to help through skill-based volunteering
63% of employers in the US encourage employee volunteering
35% of volunteers report their volunteering experience helped them find employment
52% of volunteers say they volunteer to meet new people
The most common motivation for volunteering is altruism, cited by 70% of volunteers
82% of volunteers are motivated by a desire to help others
The top three benefits of volunteering include improved mental health, increased social connections, and skill development
39% of volunteers report volunteering to improve their community
The biggest barrier to volunteering is lack of time, cited by 55% of non-volunteers
44% of volunteers are motivated by family involvement

Motivations and Attitudes Interpretation

With nearly three-quarters of volunteers experiencing mental health benefits and over 80% driven by altruism and a desire to help others, it’s clear that volunteering remains both a deeply personal fulfillment and a powerful societal force—though the real challenge lies in overcoming time constraints that keep many from joining the altruistic ranks.

Organizational Challenges and Impact

80% of organizations report difficulty in recruiting volunteers
Nonprofits spend an average of 27% of their budget on volunteer management

Organizational Challenges and Impact Interpretation

Despite volunteering being the backbone of many nonprofits, a striking 80% struggle to recruit enough helpers, yet they still pour over a quarter of their budgets into managing these vital but elusive contributors.

Volunteer Activities and Sectors

40% of volunteers participate in environmental conservation activities
The top three sectors for volunteering are community service, education, and health
49% of volunteers participate in online or virtual volunteering activities
The median number of volunteering hours per year in the US is 10 hours
The most common volunteer activity is providing transportation, with 24% participating
The number of volunteer opportunities has increased by 12% over the past five years
Religious volunteering accounts for 38% of all volunteer activity
During the pandemic, virtual volunteering increased by 50%

Volunteer Activities and Sectors Interpretation

These statistics reveal a dedicated and adaptable volunteer landscape, where nearly half embrace virtual efforts, environmental causes are gaining ground, and a notable surge in opportunities and online engagement underscores society’s ongoing commitment to giving back—proof that even in times of crisis, Americans are fueling change one hour at a time.

Volunteer Engagement and Satisfaction

The average volunteering time per volunteer was 52 hours in 2022
26% of volunteers prefer to volunteer on weekends
60% of volunteers report high satisfaction with their volunteering experience
Volunteer retention rate for new volunteers is approximately 45% after one year
68% of volunteers found their experience through social media
15% of volunteers report being more engaged in civic activities after volunteering
69% of volunteers are satisfied with the opportunities available to them
74% of volunteers reported gaining new skills
Organizational volunteer programs have a 65% retention rate after two years
50% of volunteer hours are contributed by 25% of volunteers
48% of volunteers find the experience personally rewarding
86% of volunteers feel more connected to their community after volunteering
The average duration of volunteering commitments is 2.5 years
70% of volunteers in the US are satisfied with the impact of their work
Nonprofit organizations report that for every dollar spent on volunteer recruitment, $5.20 in value is generated

Volunteer Engagement and Satisfaction Interpretation

With volunteers dedicating an average of 52 hours annually—most drawn through social media, passionate about civic engagement, and gaining new skills—nonprofits benefit immensely, as every dollar spent on recruitment yields over five dollars in value, yet the retention challenge persists as only 45% of newcomers stick around after a year; nonetheless, the high satisfaction and community connection driving nearly 70% of volunteers to find their experience rewarding highlight a vibrant, impactful volunteer ecosystem—if only we can keep more of them committed!