In times of tragedy and triumph, Americans rally and unite to help our neighbors. We've seen this in action after the September 11 attacks, on every Martin Luther King, Jr., National Day of Service, and recently after devastating natural disasters like Hurricane Helene.
On November 19, 2024, AmeriCorps released findings from its latest Volunteering and Civic Life in America research, a comprehensive look at how people make a difference in their communities and promote the common good. The research is based on a survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau in partnership with AmeriCorps that takes the pulse of the nation’s civic health every two years. The latest data was collected in September 2023.
More Americans Served
After the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted many Americans' lives and their opportunities to volunteer, Americans are still finding meaningful ways to give back. According to the latest Volunteering and Civic Life in America research, more than 54 percent of Americans, or 137.5 million people, informally helped their neighbors between September 2022 and 2023. This represents an increase of 3.4 percent over previous years, a jump that is both statistically significant and impactful in Americans' day-to-day lives. From watching kids to running errands or lending a helping hand, our community showed up for one another during a time of need.
The national volunteering rate also grew by more than 22 percent in just two years. More than 75.7 million Americans, or 28.3 percent, formally volunteered through an organization. These volunteers dedicated more than 4.99 billion hours of service, a contribution of $167.2 billion in economic value. Whether it was long-term service opportunities such as joining AmeriCorps, signing up to serve at food banks, or becoming a tutor, this is the fastest expansion of formal volunteering ever recorded. It truly showcases that the spirit of volunteerism is rising in America.
The report also shared the top 10 states with the highest rates of formal volunteering and informal helping. Utah ranked first by both measures, with almost three million Utah residents engaging in at least one of these forms of service.
Join the Millions of Americans Making a Difference Across the Country
Volunteers are the lifeblood of our schools and shelters, hospitals and hotlines, food banks, and civic, nonprofit, tribal, and faith-based organizations across the country. The new research demonstrates how volunteers are essential to the nation's well-being. Each year, more than 200,000 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers prepare today’s students for tomorrow’s jobs, help communities and families impacted by COVID-19, connect veterans to services, fight the opioid epidemic, help seniors live independently, rebuild communities after disasters, and lead conservation and climate change efforts.
Through AmeriCorps, everyone has the opportunity to volunteer alongside the millions who empower our communities and its members. AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors connect Americans to organizations addressing the nation’s most urgent needs and challenges. AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers transform lives in the community and their own, too. National service provides benefits like money for college and hands-on experience that supports career or retirement goals.
Whether you're fresh out of school, have a few years of work experience, or are retired, anyone can serve to make a difference. Join us in uniting across divides and strengthening communities for a more united America through service.
