Crises Prompt Greater Interest in Volunteering, Poll Finds

The pandemic and other catastrophes have prompted a surge in interest in volunteering: While only 36 percent of American adults say they volunteered within the last year, 60 percent say they are interested in doing so now, and 73 percent said volunteering is more important than ever, according to a new study.

The study also found that 75 percent of Americans say that donating to nonprofits is more important than ever because of the Covid-19 crisis, while 54 percent reported giving to charity a year ago.

The survey was released by former President George H. W. Bush’s nonprofit, Points of Light, which helps promote and enable volunteerism worldwide. Researchers surveyed 1,441 adults in May for the report, which says it has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.8 percentage points.

Fifty-five percent said they prefer to volunteer in ways that directly benefit their community, while 18 percent favor activities with a global impact. Forty-two percent prefer volunteering in person; 30 percent favor volunteering from home or online.

The top barrier to volunteering was finding opportunities to do so. The top incentives for volunteering were being invited by a friend or family member.

Other findings:

• 53 percent of members of Generation Z participated in volunteer activities within the past year, compared with 40 percent of millennials, 35 percent of Generation X, and 29 percent of boomers.
• 46 percent of members of Generation Z donated to a nonprofit within the past year, compared with 53 percent of millennials, 51 percent of Generation X, and 59 percent of boomers.
• 59 percent of members of Generation Z said they made purchasing decisions based on a company’s social responsibility, compared with 40 percent of millennials, 44 percent of Generation X, and 42 percent of Boomers.

Meanwhile, nonprofits are urging members of Congress to support legislation that would provide $350 million in federal grants to support volunteer efforts across the nation. The legislation is being pushed as an amendment to a $16.6 billion Senate bill that would expand national service to assist in Covid-19 recovery efforts.