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Volunteering and Civic Life in America

AmeriCorps’ comprehensive research about civic engagement across the United States and over time.
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Taking the Pulse of Our Nation’s Civic Health

New Research Coming Tuesday, Nov. 19

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Taking the Pulse of Our Nation’s Civic Health—and Taking Action for Civic Renewal
Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 3:30 p.m. ET

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Every two years, AmeriCorps partners with the U.S. Census Bureau to conduct the Current Population Survey Civic Engagement and Volunteering Supplement, the most robust survey about civic engagement across the country and over time. The most recent survey shows the civic participation of Americans aged 16 and up between September 2022 and 2023. 

The data informs AmeriCorps’ 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 latest research examines trends in formal volunteering (including virtual volunteering for the first time), informal helping, and other civic behaviors at the national level, within each state, and in the largest twelve metro areas. The research supports evidence-based decision making and efforts to understand how people make a difference in communities nationwide.

Formal Volunteering and Informal Helping

According to the latest data, the share of Americans who volunteer through an organization is rebounding. The national formal volunteering rate increased by five percentage points between 2021 and 2023.

Formal Volunteering

Formal volunteering involves helping others through organizations and includes activities like supporting public health efforts, supporting food banks, and tutoring students to help them stay on track in school.

More than 28 percent of Americans—nearly 78 million people—formally volunteered for an organization between September 2022 and 2023. In total, these volunteers served an estimated 4.99 billion hours with an economic value of $167.2 billion.

Informal Helping

Informal helping involves helping neighbors with tasks like house sitting, watching each other’s children, or lending tools. 

The share of Americans who informally help their neighbors is climbing in the latest data. 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 percentage points over previous years.

State, City, and Demographic Findings

Find out more about volunteering and civic life trends within demographic groups, states, and the largest 12 metropolitan areas. 

View the demographics

National Findings

View a summary of key insights.

Download “Renewed Engagement in American Civic Life”

Dashboard

Create your own custom analysis.

Explore the interactive dashboard

Toolkit

Find graphics, sample social media, press templates, fact sheets, and more.

Access the toolkit

Virtual Volunteering Findings

In 2023, AmeriCorps introduced a first-of-its-kind measure of virtual volunteering.

Download the research brief

Volunteer

Volunteer

Your community needs you. Volunteer to make an impact. Whether you can volunteer long-term, short-term, or just one time, your time makes a tremendous difference.

Start now

Civic Engagement and Volunteering (CEV) Supplement Research

Every two years, AmeriCorps partners with the U.S. Census Bureau to conduct the Current Population Survey Civic Engagement and Volunteering Supplement (CEV). The CEV is the most robust survey about volunteerism and other forms of civic engagement across the United States and over time. Dive deeper into CEV findings and explore the data to run your own analysis.

Findings from the 2023 CEV

Reports:


2023 Spotlighting the CEV Research Briefs and Graphics:


Findings from Earlier Waves of the CEV

Reports:


2021 CEV Research Briefs and Graphics:


Explore the CEV Data

Other Relevant Research

The AmeriCorps Office of Research and Evaluation assists AmeriCorps and its partners in collecting, analyzing, and disseminating data and insights about AmeriCorps programs and civic life in America.


AmeriCorps Member Exit Survey (MES)


AmeriCorps Research Grants


Volunteer Generation Fund


Benefits of National Service and Volunteering

Service is good for participants, partners, communities, and society. Check out more AmeriCorps research about the benefits of giving your time and talent.

State-Level Trends

View state-level rates of six key measures of civic engagement from 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023.

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