America prides itself on its charitable nature, but how charitable are we with our time? We’ve rounded up the latest stats to help you understand what’s driving volunteer engagement. We’ll also share some tips on how to keep your own volunteers inspired and involved.
The volunteer sector experienced a resurgence after the pandemic. More than 75.7 million people (or about 28.3% of those aged 16 and up) volunteered from September 2022 to September 2023 in the U.S.
During this time, over 137.5 million Americans (or about 54.2% of the population), also provided informal help to their neighbors.
Volunteering in 2025 looks different than it did a few years back. More young people – especially Millennials and Gen Z – are getting involved. They’re bringing new energy with them, and certain expectations about how they give their time.
Over half of Gen Z and Millennials report volunteering for nonprofits, far surpassing older generations. For example, 54% of Gen Z adults have volunteered recently, while 73% state that they seek easy ways to volunteer online.
Understanding today’s volunteer landscape is important if you want to engage the right supporters for your cause.
As you probably know, nonprofits are relying more and more on virtual volunteering, especially as work culture is becoming more remote-focused.
Recent data from a 2025 survey reveals that 18% of formal volunteers are now serving online, which represents a major transition toward digital and virtual volunteering.
Around 63 million Americans volunteer each year, which is about 25% of the adult population. Nonprofits are using tools such as peer-to-peer fundraising to expand their reach and achieve greater impact.
Due to these changes, the long-term success and sustainability of many nonprofit organizations depends on their ability to provide virtual volunteer opportunities.
Another area that continues to grow is corporate volunteering. More companies are coming to recognize how social responsibility can also benefit their business objectives.
The statistics show this pattern better than written descriptions do:
In response, companies have adapted.
Diversity is another area where for-profits are ahead of nonprofits, especially where equity and inclusion (DEI) plans are concerned. But as of 2023, 39% of nonprofits report having a formal DEI strategy in place.
In addition, a substantial 89% of survey respondents believe their organization is making progress toward the DEI goal.
However, while nonprofit organizations increasingly talk about the importance of DEI, their budgeting signals indicate that they have only just begun to establish DEI structures.
The majority of nonprofits face two major challenges:
This highlights the need for more nonprofits to develop better DEI recruitment and employee retention programs.
So, who are these people willing to volunteer? The following statistics haven’t changed much over the last decade, but they do provide a better picture of who your volunteers are.
According to the latest AmeriCorps data, women formally volunteer at higher rates than men.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) broke down these numbers even further. The average hours that volunteers give can make a real difference to nonprofits. BLS volunteer statistics show that more women engage in volunteer activities per day, but the average hours of male volunteers are greater.
Age is another key demographic, and it shows nonprofits like yours how best to communicate with volunteers. Americorp and Statista have broken down formal volunteer rates for ages 16 to 85+.
Generation X (ages 43–58 in 2023) maintains the highest rate of formal volunteering across all generations during the last four survey waves.
The Silent Generation (ages 80+) shows the lowest formal volunteering rate, likely due to health and mobility limitations.
Knowing who’s volunteering (and how that’s changing) can help your nonprofit figure out the best ways to connect with different age groups. .
Education can greatly impact a person’s ability and interest in volunteering. According to Statista and Gallup data for 2023:
It’s important to note that these statistics may not account for the impact of technological advancements in recruiting these volunteers.
College students and seniors may be unavailable for traditional volunteer jobs, but virtual events and fundraising campaigns can excite these individuals and build a stronger way for your nonprofit to connect.
Volunteering can have a greater impact on your community and the world than any other activity, and many Americans have taken this to heart. Even after the COVID-19 pandemic, formal volunteering has remained a primary activity for close to a quarter of Americans.
Your nonprofit can increase this number and encourage more volunteer activity by changing your communication style and adding online volunteering opportunities.
Your organization must also find ways to reach a larger and more diverse populace. Corporate volunteer programs are an excellent way to achieve this. One large group activity with a business can connect you with a host of new volunteers and future donors.
After all, volunteers and donors are cut from the same cloth. In fact, 67% of donors are also nonprofit volunteers. So, your nonprofit must focus on building strong relationships with volunteers.
Volunteer training and onboarding will have a significant impact on your organization’s recruitment efforts. Why? Onboarding training activities and volunteer appreciation events go a long way toward engaging and motivating volunteers.
Volunteer statistics show us that the individuals we assume will volunteer more may not, and that others can surprise you.
Be sure to monitor your volunteer base to learn more about your volunteers and how best to communicate with them. Plus, technology has given nonprofits an entirely new way to connect and inspire volunteers and donors.
Tools like online recruitment, management, and peer-to-peer fundraising tools can help you reach younger generations. For example, the Donorbox + POINT integration can help you get started.
As you continue to develop your organization’s volunteer program, you must continue to invest in DEI initiatives and other ways to connect with a larger community. Sign up with Donorbox to receive more information on how to recruit, communicate, and solicit volunteers.
Bonus resource: Discover proven strategies to build a passionate team in this podcast:
Kristine Ensor is a freelance writer with over a decade of experience working with local and international nonprofits. As a nonprofit professional she has specialized in fundraising, marketing, event planning, volunteer management, and board development.
Subscribe to our e-newsletter to receive the latest blogs, news, and more in your inbox.
Kristine Ensor