Volunteering: The Force Multiplier for Community Change

Abstract

In May 2014, United Way Worldwide's research team surveyed 74 U.S. and international United Way CEOs. The survey found that:The United Way network has seen a bigger increase in the growth rate of volunteering than the nation as a wholeThere is a gap between what most volunteers are doing and the kind of volunteer activities United Way leaders say is most needed in building stronger communitiesThe role of businesses, schools and faith institutions in engaging volunteers has great potential for solving community challenges.America's volunteer rate is at its lowest point since the federal government started measuring this 12 years ago, down from 27.5% in 2002 to 25.4% in 2013. Despite the declining proportion of people volunteering, population growth still translated into a 9% gain in actual volunteers from 2002 through 2012. But United Way saw a 23.8% increase in volunteers in the same time period. And 73% of the global panel of United Way CEOs who responded predict volunteering will continue to rise in the next year