Volunteers have made a significant comeback following the pandemic, engaging in various nonprofit activities ranging from mentoring children to participating as citizen scientists in environmental monitoring efforts. According to a fresh survey from the U.S. Census Bureau alongside AmeriCorps, 28.3% of the U.S. population, which translates to approximately 75.8 million individuals, have participated in volunteering with nonprofits between September 2022 and September 2023. This reflects an increase since the COVID-19 public health crisis, which caused volunteer rates to plunge by almost 7 percentage points to 23.2% in 2021, the last recorded survey year. Nevertheless, it does not indicate a complete return to the volunteerism rates seen before the pandemic.

Michael D. Smith, the CEO of AmeriCorps, stated that the decline in volunteer participation served as a serious wake-up call for nonprofit organizations, which had to adjust their outreach and recruitment strategies, questioning whether the disruption of regular volunteer habits would still foster participation. “The fact that we went from a point in this country where we were telling people, ‘Don’t come, our doors are closed’—the fact that that did not lead to a flatline or gradual increase, but instead saw more than a 5% jump is quite impressive,” he remarked.

The biennial survey involves querying participants about their volunteering activities with nonprofits, as well as any informal assistance offered to family, friends, or charitable contributions made. Volunteers play an essential role across diverse services in different communities throughout the U.S., and the survey estimates that each hour of volunteer work is valued at $33.49, significantly exceeding minimum wage in any state or major city.

Organizations like the Alpine Watershed Group emphasize the foundational role that volunteers play in their operation. Executive Director Kimra McAfee noted that her organization has been monitoring the rivers in California’s Alpine County for over two decades. Volunteers help collect water samples from remote areas, often navigating challenging terrains, including cross-country skiing routes.

Participation in volunteering varies markedly by state, with regions like Utah and Vermont seeing rates exceeding 40%, while states like Rhode Island and Nevada have participation rates dipping below 20%. According to Smith, states that rank highly often feature better institutional support for nonprofit efforts and volunteer opportunities, such as providing paid volunteering time.

At After-School All-Stars in Las Vegas, volunteers engage with students to share career insights. Executive Director Jodi Manzella mentioned that their volunteer program had to wait for the last school year before they could fully reintegrate volunteers, largely due to the restrictions surrounding our schooling system. “While Nevada may be experiencing transition, I don’t see us falling behind,” she commented about the state’s dynamic population.

The survey found that adults aged 45 to 54 exhibited the highest overall volunteering rates, while a larger number of women than men dedicated their time as volunteers, highlighting a persistent demographic trend. Higher-income individuals were also found to volunteer at elevated rates compared to their lower-income counterparts. Furthermore, 54.3% of respondents indicated that they engaged in informal support, which could range from babysitting for family to lending tools to neighbors.

In 2023, Crisis Text Line reported that just over half of its 15,000 volunteers were aged 18 to 25. CEO Dena Trujillo explained that the organization functions as an “emergency room” for mental health, with volunteers assisting individuals in crisis via text messages round-the-clock. Volunteers undergo 15 hours of training before working under the supervision of mental health professionals, and they assist a diverse group of individuals, most of whom are under 24 years of age.

Trujillo acknowledged that volunteers gain a profound sense of purpose from their roles, finding that the experience equips them with tools to support others in their lives. “For many young people, it’s crucial that the act of volunteering connects to issues that resonate with them, such as mental health and well-being,” she noted. The convenience of remote volunteering enables a broader range of individuals to participate.

This year marks a noteworthy first for the volunteerism survey with its inquiry into virtual volunteering, with 18% of respondents indicating some portion of their volunteering was conducted virtually. While no historical comparisons can yet be made, Smith perceives the acceptance of virtual volunteering as a promising expansion of opportunities for broader community engagement.

Organizations are increasingly encouraged to recruit volunteers from within the communities they serve. The Federal Hill House in Providence, Rhode Island, offers diverse programs including early childcare, senior services, and a food pantry. Executive Director Kimberly Fernandez highlighted the interactivity of their programs, where older volunteers engaging with children in the mornings often stay on for lunch or fitness classes in the afternoons.

Many nonprofits operate entirely on volunteer efforts to address community needs. The Lincoln Bike Kitchen in Nebraska stands out as a case in point, providing a sustainable means of transportation through refurbished bicycles. Director Shari Weiss Shanks emphasized the need for cooperative skills but noted the inclusive nature of volunteering roles based on varied personal interests.

Shanks encourages those feeling unfulfilled or searching for purpose to volunteer at a nonprofit, asserting that it can profoundly impact their lives. “If you feel angry or adrift, volunteering can help steer you towards a meaningful cause,” she said, affirming the transformative power of giving back to the community.