How the Pandemic Has Affected Volunteerism

As many organizations are suffering from a shortage of volunteers, research shows over 75.7 million or 28.3% of the U.S. population age 16 and up formally volunteered through an organization between September 2022 and September 2023, approaching a return to pre-pandemic levels of volunteerism, according to joint research by the U.S. Census Bureau and AmeriCorps.

Although more Americans formally volunteered, the number of hours served per person has continued to decline. New data shows that formal volunteering is rebounding and informal helping is climbing. Formal volunteering is helping others through organizations like food banks and other non-profits. Informal helping includes activities like mowing a neighbor’s lawn or bringing them groceries. According to AmeriCorps’ analysis of the Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey Civic Engagement and Volunteering Supplement (CEV) data collected in September 2023, formal volunteers served an estimated 4.99 billion hours and contributed over $167.2 billion in economic value between September 2022 and 2023. An estimated 54.2% of Americans helped or exchanged favors with neighbors such as house sitting, running errands, or lending tools between September 2022 and 2023 compared to 51.7% in 2019.

And for the first time, the survey is tracking virtual volunteering, which gained popularity during the pandemic. It shows that 18% of formal volunteers served completely or partially online.