Volunteers contribute $203.4 billion to the United States through their time, talent, and effort
(WASHINGTON, April 11, 2019) – Today, Independent Sector announces that the latest value of a volunteer hour is $25.43 – up 3% from the previous year. That figure, estimated from data collected in 2018, shows the incredible contributions volunteers make to their communities and our country.
Currently, about 63 million Americans volunteer about 8 billion hours of their time, talent, and effort to improve and strengthen their communities. With the new Value of Volunteer Time, these Americans are contributing approximately $203.4 billion to our nation through nonprofit organizations of all types. The release of this figure coincides with National Volunteer Week, April 7-13, a program of Points of Light meant to celebrate the power and impact of volunteer service.
“Volunteerism has been a driving force in the strength and power of our civil society since this country’s founding,” said Dan Cardinali, president and CEO of Independent Sector. “We know that giving of our time, talent, and effort transforms organizations, communities, and our nation, and also has profound effects on the individuals giving their time. The Value of Volunteer Time gives us just one concrete measure to illustrate the power of individuals to transform communities.”
“We believe the most powerful force of change in our world is the individual – one who takes action and makes a positive difference,” said Natalye Paquin, president and CEO of Points of Light. “This data shows the value that volunteers bring to the sector and the world. When people use their talents and skills to take action and support causes they care about, we can build a stronger, more just and equitable world.”
“As Americans, we are remarkable,” said Greg Baldwin, CEO of VolunteerMatch. “In 2018, our generosity was greater than the profits of Facebook, Apple, Amazon and Google combined. The freedom to voluntarily associate with the people, groups, and causes we care about is what makes democracy possible, but exercising that freedom is what makes democracies great.”
In addition to the national number, Independent Sector also provides the state-level value of volunteer time for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. State level values range from $12.64 an hour to as high as $41.72.
To learn more about the Value of Volunteer Time, the methodology, and explore historical national and state-level data, visit independentsector.org/valuevolunteers.
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Independent Sector is a diverse community of changemakers, nonprofits, foundations, and corporations working to ensure all people in the United States thrive. Learn more at independentsector.org.
Contact:
Kristina Gawrgy Campbell
202-467-6144
kristinac@independentsector.org
