Volunteers support essential community programs and initiatives that might otherwise struggle to find their footing due to limited resources. Understanding volunteer motivations and trends will help you refine your retention and recruitment strategies, optimize your organization’s success, and create more effective roles for your team members. Check out these interesting volunteer statistics and how they can affect your organization.
1. 63 Million Americans Volunteer
Around 25% of Americans volunteer annually, so you’ve got a significant opportunity to use people’s skills and passion to make a difference. But how do you recruit volunteers? Software lets you create new recruiting avenues. You can quickly find, onboard, and schedule people, streamlining your process. A faster recruiting and onboarding process allows you to connect with and train volunteers sooner, increasing your chances of growing your volunteer pool.
2. Formal Volunteering Dropped 23% During COVID-19
While many Americans proudly volunteer, volunteering rates saw a 23% decrease during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Your organization must get creative if you struggle to attract people to your vision and mission. For example, volunteering and management software lets people serve and communicate online at their convenience. Offering virtual resources shows volunteers you prioritize their safety and well-being, encouraging them to stick around. Additionally, you can reframe a decline in volunteers as a challenge to tailor your engagement strategies more effectively. You must actively recruit people for online campaigns instead of waiting for them to come to you.
3. Women Volunteer More Than Men
Statistics on volunteers have found that women volunteer at higher rates than men in America. Analyzing demographics gives you insight into likely recruits. Use data to create inclusive environments and targeted recruitment campaigns. Whether your organization retains higher rates of women or another group, you can find trends and preferences in your volunteer data.
Combining this data with management software improves your flexibility and engagement. You can customize schedules and recruitment to your volunteer preferences. Does one group prefer daytime scheduling? Are you getting more engagement through social media or volunteer networking? Learning to find and use volunteer trends will improve your operation’s success.
4. 72% of Volunteers Work With Only One Organization
Organizations that rely on volunteers must foster loyalty. Since most volunteers only work with one organization, investing in retention is essential. Try to prioritize volunteer satisfaction with diverse, meaningful, and personalized opportunities. Consider hosting appreciation events to show your volunteers you care about them. Prioritizing your volunteers’ needs and preferences will help you retain your valued talent.
5. Volunteers Are Twice as Likely to Donate to Charity
Statistics on volunteerism report that people who volunteer are also more likely to donate to charity. Facts like this demonstrate the inextricable relationship between volunteering and philanthropy. Your organization can maximize this generosity by cultivating a giving culture. Get your volunteers involved in events and encourage them to bring friends and family. You can also use scheduling to avoid burnout — while volunteers are generous people, they need breaks, too. Talk to your volunteers about their preferences and give them the support they need to serve you more effectively.
6. 64% of Nonprofits See an Increase in Service Demand
Many nonprofits have experienced increased interest in their services, making volunteer assistance critical. Volunteer managers can use this demand to develop more effective volunteer deployment. Match volunteers with areas that fit their skills and availability for maximum impact. Use software to strategically coordinate and manage your team. These tools allow you to scale your response accordingly. Additionally, show your volunteers how and where they make a difference. People will feel more empowered when they know their work is meaningful.
7. 35% Volunteer to Socialize
While volunteers love to give back, 35% of them also expect to meet like-minded people on their assignments. Your organization needs to recognize this aspect to design opportunities that emphasize connection. From social events to collaborative assignments, you want volunteers to feel welcome and included. Group messaging and coordinating tools are excellent ways to get everyone chatting while driving your mission forward.
8. Volunteers Are 27% More Likely to Become Employed
Volunteering makes job applicants look better to prospective employers. Your organization can use this information to boost your recruiting. Offer skills and experiences that will help people advance their careers. You can promote volunteering as a way to give back while getting ahead in the workplace. Try to have a presence at job fairs and college events — these give you direct access to people looking for career assistance, letting you spread the word. Use recruiting software to help you identify potential candidates for these events, improve your volunteer diversity, and gain team members who want to grow.
9. 16- to 17-Year-Olds Have the Highest Rate of Volunteering
With 28% of 16- to 17-year-olds volunteering, you can leverage your tools to recruit from this pool. Younger people want to give back — you just need to engage them. Develop targeted youth programs to cater to their interests and goals. Reach this group early with interactive and youth-focused opportunities. Try to coordinate and schedule these digital natives through software and virtual tools. You can develop a lasting relationship with careful execution.
10. 46% of CEOs Say Volunteer Recruiting Is a Challenge
While online communication is easier than ever, 46% of CEOs say volunteer recruiting and connecting is challenging. This struggle highlights the importance of strategic volunteer management. You can use targeted recruitment and outreach strategies like software and online tools to attract and retain volunteers. Leverage your data to meet volunteers where they are. With increased demand, harnessing data for streamlined recruiting and management is more critical than ever.
Revolutionize Volunteer Management With Volgistics
While volunteer statistics can get you started, you need a foundation to improve your operation. Whether you’re looking to attract new faces or boost volunteer satisfaction, Volgistics is here to help. Our customizable features meet your organization’s unique needs to seamlessly navigate every part of volunteer management. We offer a user-friendly interface, a dedicated support team, and industry-standard security features to protect your data. Use Volgistics for all your volunteer tracking, scheduling, reporting, communication, and more.
Take your organization to new heights with our volunteer management software. Sign up for your 30-day free trial or live demonstration today!
