April 16th will herald the beginning of National Volunteer Week! It can be said that volunteering is one of the most significant and impactful acts we can do in our lifetime. From world hunger and poverty, to homelessness, to animal rescue, there are numerous causes to support. In fact, without their volunteers, nonprofit organizations would be completely unable to function. Check out some of these other fun facts about volunteering!
Who, What, Where
There are over 1 billion volunteers worldwide! According to TRVST, that equates to 109 full-time workers. And in America, about one in four people volunteer.
Relatedly, individuals between the ages of 35 and 54 are the most likely group to donate their time, while individuals between the ages of 20 to 24 are the least likely group to donate their time. According to VolunteerHub, worldwide, women volunteer more than men, and 39% of 12th grade students reported volunteering at least once a month.
Interestingly, 71% of volunteers end up only working with one organization each year. And 31% of people volunteer through their religious organization. The number one state for volunteers is Utah, who boasts a 51% volunteer rate!
What An Impact!
VolunteerHub reported that volunteers are almost twice as likely to donate their money to a good cause. Additionally, volunteers donate about 50 hours a year to their chosen cause.
In the U.S., there are over 1.8 million nonprofits, though around 7% were forced to shut down permanently due to COVID.
According to NonProfit Source, the top four nationally supported causes are religious (34.1%), educational (26%), social services (14.9%), and health (7.3%) organizations.
Fun Facts About Volunteering: It’s Good For You!
According to TRVST, over 90% of volunteers reported feeling a sense of achievement, while approximately 77% stated that volunteering improved their mental and emotional well-being. They further stated this was due to feeling less isolated and involved in their community.
In fact, BMC Public Health reported that volunteering increases mental health by about 8.54%. Additionally, volunteering helps teach new skills, keep people active, and encourage healthy dynamics.
Interested in getting more involved in your community? There’s never a time like the present! Habitat for Humanity of Williamson County is always looking for a set of helping hands to contribute to our mission to create and sustain home ownership. Fill out a volunteer application or contact us to see how you can volunteer with us!
