Volunteering data

The Corporation for National & Community Service (CNCS) released its annual "Volunteering in America" (VIA) report. Learn what the data shows about our community, link to the VIA report>>

The work United Way is doing is helping our community recover from the worst recession since World War II. Civic service is not only recession proof, it's a key solution to the recession. Americans responded to the worst economic downturn since WWII by reaching out their hands to help their neighbors and their communities. Although many analysts expected to see the country's crime rate rise dramatically, and the spirit of unity fade, Americans instead posted the highest volunteer involvement recorded since 2003.

• 2009 saw the first significant increase in volunteer numbers since 2003.
• 63.4 million Americans volunteered in 2009, an increase of almost 1.6 million - the single largest increase since 2003.
  
• 2009's volunteer service was valued at more than $168 billion.

It's not where we fall on the list; it's how we rank in the heart of our communiy. The VIA research shows there are conditions which may hinder volunteering that are beyond our control.

• Some of our most densely populated cities historically find themselves lower on the list of large sized cities.VIA data suggests several factors that lower volunteer rates in large metropolitan cities.
• High foreclosure rates drive down the rate of volunteering.
• Long commutes limit opportunities to volunteer
• In areas and cities with higher poverty rates volunteering is also less common.
• Cities with many renters, as opposed to homeowners, have less volunteer engagement due to less long-term community attachment.

Finding new life for our mission/goals by ramping up the reach to your community's youth. Millennials and teens are redefining "community" to extend far beyond the neighborhood in which they live. Because of technologies such as social media, their communities have no geographical boundaries. Youth are using that technology and communal connectivity to drive change and are not waiting for instruction to make change happen. They represent a powerful influx of energy and enthusiasm into the volunteer sector.

• The volunteer rates for both Millennial & teen-aged volunteers increased in 2009.
• In 2009, 10.8 million Millennials dedicated 1.1 billion hours of service to communities across the country.
  
• 21.6 percent of Millennials volunteered in 2009.
• In 2009, 4.4 million teenagers (ages 16 to 19) dedicated 389.5 million hours of service to communities across the country. 26 percent of teenagers volunteered in 2009.

We are bringing the experts to the table by utilizing older citizens who are looking for engagement after retirement, for skills-based volunteering. Older Americans, many who've had successful professional careers, are ready and willing to lend their expertise to our community. Older Americans have high rates of volunteering and strong commitment to community.

• In 2009, 9.1 million older adults (age 65 and older) dedicated 1.6 billion hours of service to communities across the country.
• 20.4 % of that time was volunteered in professional and management activities.

Thank you volunteers! Your commitment to United Way and the community makes a difference locally and nationally.