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Research on Volunteerism

Several organizations have conducted research on youth and volunteerism. Following are some highlights from a sampling of studies.

Volunteerism on the Increase

(The Corporation for National and Community Service; “Volunteering in America,” July 2009):

• Despite the challenges of a tough economic situation, the volunteering rate held steady between 2007 and 2008, while the number of volunteers slightly increased by about one million.

• In 2008, more young adults (ages 15-24) volunteered than in 2007, representing an increase from 7.8 million to more than 8.2 million.
  

Positive Effects of Starting Young

(Independent Sector and Youth Service America; “Engaging Youth in Lifelong Service,” 2002):

• Forty-four percent of adults volunteer and two-thirds of these began volunteering their time when they were young.

• Adults who began volunteering as youth are twice as likely to volunteer as those who did not volunteer when they were younger.

• In every income and age group, those who volunteered as youth give and volunteer more than those who did not.

• Those who volunteered as youth and whose parents volunteered became the most generous adults in giving time. 

Motivating Factors

(Independent Sector; “America’s Teenage Volunteers”):

• Volunteering is an activity most likely to be cultivated in childhood and during early teenage years. Volunteering when young creates lifelong adult volunteers.

• Eighty percent of teens reported volunteering if, as young children, they did some volunteer work. 

• Teens reported first getting involved in volunteerism either at school (50%) and/or religious institution (53%).

(The Civic and Political Health of the Nation:  A Generational Portrait and 2006 Civic and Political Health of the Nation):

• Young people (ages 15 to 25) who grow up in a household where someone volunteers are twice as likely to volunteer regularly.

• Young people who discuss a volunteer experience are twice as likely as others to volunteer regularly. 

Benefits of Volunteering

(Independent Sector; “America’s Teenage Volunteers”):

• As a result of their volunteer efforts, teens reported doing better in school or improving grades, developing new career goals, and learning about career options.

• Other benefits included: learning respect for others, learning to be helpful and kind, understanding differences, developing leadership skills, becoming more patient, and understanding qualities of good citizenship.

(“Changing the Face of Giving: An Assessment of Youth Philanthropy,” Rosen, M. and Maureen Sedonaen, 2001):

• When kids volunteer, they feel greater ownership and pride.

Making or Breaking Volunteer Experience

(Corporation for National and Community Service; “Pathway to Service: Learning from the potential volunteer perspective;” July 2009):

• Common complaints about volunteer experiences:
  - Disorganized volunteer experience
  - Unprepared and untrained leaders
  - Lack of recognition
  - Insufficient materials
  - Absence of team motivation
  - Mismatched skills with assignments

• Elements of good volunteer experiences:
  - Matching skills and interests
  - Proper volunteer training
  - Promoting volunteering with friends or group
  - Helping volunteers understand meaning of their work
  - Showing one person’s help can make a difference