In February, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics published data on volunteering in America.* According to the report, approximately one in four Americans (25.3%) volunteered between September 2013 and September 2014. The volunteer rate for women was higher than for men (28.3% compared with 22.0%), and married people volunteered at a higher rate than those who never married (30.0% compared with 20.2%). The age group with the highest volunteer rate for the period was the cohort of 35- to 44-year-olds (29.8%).
It’s interesting to note that the age group with the highest volunteer rate is most likely the busiest in terms of juggling work and family responsibilities. But the data are consistent with the results of a recent study** that found that working people who volunteer are healthier and more satisfied with their work-life balance, even though they have more on their plates than those who don’t volunteer.
* Volunteering in the United States, 2014
** Funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation
If you have any questions about your nonprofit organization, please contact Warady & Davis LLP at (847) 267-9600.