For release 10:00 a.m. (EST) Wednesday, February 22, 2012 USDL-12-0329
Technical information: (202) 691-6378 * cpsinfo@bls.gov * www.bls.gov/cps
Media contact: (202) 691-5902 * PressOffice@bls.gov
VOLUNTEERING IN THE UNITED STATES -- 2011
The volunteer rate rose by 0.5 percentage point to 26.8 percent for the year
ending in September 2011, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.
About 64.3 million people volunteered through or for an organization at least
once between September 2010 and September 2011. The increase in the volunteer
rate in 2011 followed a decline of equal size in 2010.
These data on volunteering were collected through a supplement to the September
2011 Current Population Survey (CPS). The supplement was sponsored by the
Corporation for National and Community Service. The CPS is a monthly survey of
about 60,000 households that obtains information on employment and unemployment
among the nation's civilian noninstitutional population age 16 and over.
Volunteers are defined as persons who did unpaid work (except for expenses)
through or for an organization. For more information about the volunteer
supplement, see the Technical Note.
Volunteering Among Demographic Groups
The volunteer rate of women increased from 29.3 percent to 29.9 percent in the
year ending in September 2011, while the volunteer rate for men, at 23.5 percent,
changed little. Women continued to volunteer at a higher rate than did men across
all age groups, educational levels, and other major demographic characteristics.
(See tables A and 1.)
By age, 35- to 44-year-olds and 45- to 54-year-olds were the most likely to
volunteer (31.8 and 30.6 percent, respectively). Persons in their early twenties
were the least likely to volunteer (19.4 percent). Among the major race and
ethnicity groups, whites continued to volunteer at a higher rate (28.2 percent)
than did blacks (20.3 percent), Asians (20.0 percent), and Hispanics (14.9 percent).
The volunteer rate for blacks increased in 2011. For all other major race and ethnicity
groups, the volunteer rates were little different from the rates in 2010.
As in earlier years, married persons volunteered at a higher rate (32.3 percent)
in 2011 than did those who had never married (20.9 percent) and those with other
marital statuses (21.5 percent). The volunteer rate of parents with children under
age 18 (33.7 percent) remained higher than the rate for persons without children
(24.1 percent).
Individuals with higher levels of educational attainment engaged in volunteer
activities at higher rates than did those with less education. Among persons age
25 and over, 42.4 percent of college graduates volunteered, compared with 18.2
percent of high school graduates and 9.8 percent of those with less than a high
school diploma.
Table A. Volunteers by selected characteristics, September 2007 through September 2011
(Numbers in thousands)
September 2007 September 2008 September 2009 September 2010 September 2011
Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent
of popu- of popu- of popu- of popu- of popu-
lation lation lation lation lation
Sex
Total, both sexes.....................60,838 26.2 61,803 26.4 63,361 26.8 62,790 26.3 64,252 26.8
Men..................................25,724 22.9 26,268 23.2 26,655 23.3 26,787 23.2 27,354 23.5
Women ...............................35,114 29.3 35,535 29.4 36,706 30.1 36,004 29.3 36,898 29.9
Age
Total, 16 years and over..............60,838 26.2 61,803 26.4 63,361 26.8 62,790 26.3 64,252 26.8
16 to 24 years....................... 7,798 20.8 8,239 21.9 8,290 22.0 8,297 21.9 8,578 22.5
25 to 34 years....................... 9,019 22.6 9,154 22.8 9,511 23.5 9,140 22.3 9,691 23.3
35 to 44 years.......................12,902 30.5 13,016 31.3 12,835 31.5 12,904 32.2 12,566 31.8
45 to 54 years.......................13,136 30.1 13,189 29.9 13,703 30.8 13,435 30.3 13,420 30.6
55 to 64 years....................... 9,316 28.4 9,456 28.1 9,894 28.3 9,830 27.2 10,449 28.1
65 years and over.................... 8,667 23.8 8,749 23.5 9,129 23.9 9,184 23.6 9,547 24.0
Race and Hispanic or Latino
ethnicity
White.................................52,586 27.9 53,078 27.9 54,078 28.3 53,556 27.8 54,432 28.2
Black or African American............. 5,010 18.2 5,325 19.1 5,712 20.2 5,580 19.4 5,934 20.3
Asian................................. 1,887 17.7 2,022 18.7 2,060 19.0 2,207 19.6 2,304 20.0
Hispanic or Latino ethnicity.......... 4,279 13.5 4,662 14.4 4,873 14.7 4,982 14.7 5,151 14.9
Educational attainment (1)
Less than a high school diploma....... 2,394 9.0 2,427 9.4 2,242 8.6 2,231 8.8 2,461 9.8
High school graduates, no college (2).11,379 18.6 10,998 18.1 11,408 18.8 10,887 17.9 11,049 18.2
Some college or associate degree......15,468 30.7 15,519 30.0 15,931 30.5 15,505 29.2 15,946 29.5
Bachelor's degree and higher (3)......23,799 41.8 24,620 42.2 25,490 42.8 25,870 42.3 26,218 42.4
Employment status
Civilian labor force..................43,405 28.1 44,313 28.5 44,833 29.0 44,522 28.7 45,249 29.1
Employed.............................41,708 28.3 42,131 28.9 41,372 29.7 40,980 29.2 41,881 29.6
Full time (4).......................32,714 26.9 33,344 27.8 32,085 28.7 31,625 28.2 32,517 28.7
Part time (5)....................... 8,994 35.4 8,788 34.2 9,287 33.7 9,355 33.2 9,363 33.3
Unemployed........................... 1,697 23.2 2,181 22.3 3,462 22.9 3,542 23.8 3,368 23.8
Not in the labor force................17,433 22.3 17,491 22.2 18,528 22.6 18,268 22.0 19,003 22.5
1 Data refer to persons 25 years and over.
2 Includes persons with a high school diploma or equivalent.
3 Includes persons with bachelor's, master's, professional, and doctoral degrees.
4 Usually work 35 hours or more a week at all jobs.
5 Usually work less than 35 hours a week at all jobs.
NOTE: Data on volunteers relate to persons who performed unpaid volunteer activities for an organization at any point
in the year ending in September. Estimates for the above race groups (white, black or African American, and Asian) do not
sum to totals because data are not presented for all races. Persons whose ethnicity is identified as Hispanic or Latino may be of any race.
Updated population controls are introduced annually with the release of January data. See the Technical Note for further information.
Volunteers by Employment Status
Among employed persons, 29.6 percent volunteered during the year ending in
September 2011. By comparison, 23.8 percent of unemployed persons and 22.5 percent
of those not in the labor force volunteered. Among the employed, part-time workers
were more likely than full-time workers to have participated in volunteer
activities--33.3 percent compared with 28.7 percent. (See table 1.)
Total Annual Hours Spent Volunteering
Volunteers of both sexes spent a median of 51 hours on volunteer activities during
the period from September 2010 to September 2011. Median annual hours spent on
volunteer activities ranged from a high of 96 hours for volunteers age 65 and over
to a low of 32 hours for those 25 to 34 years old. (See table 2.)
Number and Type of Organizations
Most volunteers were involved with either one or two organizations--69.6 and 19.4
percent, respectively. Individuals with higher educational attainment were more
likely to volunteer for multiple organizations than were those with less education.
(See table 3.)
In 2011, the main organization--the organization for which the volunteer worked
the most hours during the year--was most frequently religious (33.2 percent of all
volunteers), followed by educational or youth service related (25.7 percent).
Another 14.3 percent of volunteers performed activities mainly for social or
community service organizations. (See table 4.)
Older volunteers were more likely to volunteer for religious organizations than
were their younger counterparts. For example, 44.9 percent of volunteers age 65
and over did their service mainly through or for a religious organization,
compared with 26.5 percent of volunteers age 16 to 24.
The type of main organization for which individuals volunteered also varied by
educational attainment. Volunteering mainly for religious organizations decreased
as educational attainment increased. Among volunteers with less than a high school
diploma, 47.8 percent volunteered mainly for religious organizations, compared
with 31.3 percent of those with a bachelor's degree and higher. Volunteering
primarily for educational or youth service organizations increased with educational
attainment. Of volunteers with less than a high school diploma, 22.7 percent
volunteered mainly for this type of organization, compared with 26.7 percent of
those with a bachelor's degree and higher.
Among volunteers with children under 18 years old, 45.9 percent of mothers and
37.3 percent of fathers volunteered mainly for an educational or youth service
organization, such as a school or scouting group. Volunteers without children
under 18 were more likely than parents to volunteer for other types of
organizations, such as social or community service organizations and hospitals
or other health organizations.
Main Volunteer Activity for Main Organization
Fundraising (11.0 percent) and collecting, preparing, distributing, or serving
food (10.6 percent) were the activities volunteers performed most frequently
for their main organization. Men and women tended to engage in different main
activities. Men who volunteered were most likely to engage in general labor
(13.3 percent); coach, referee, or supervise sports teams (10.1 percent); or
fundraise (8.9 percent). Female volunteers were most likely to fundraise
(12.6 percent); collect, prepare, distribute, or serve food (12.5 percent);
or tutor or teach (10.7 percent). (See table 5.)
Educational attainment influenced the types of activities volunteers performed.
College graduates were more likely than those with less education to tutor or
teach or to provide professional or management assistance. They were least
likely to collect, make, or distribute clothing, crafts, or goods other than
food. Volunteers with less than a high school diploma were more likely to collect,
prepare, and distribute food than those with higher levels of education.
Parents were considerably more likely than those without children to engage in
volunteer activities that are related to children--including coaching, refereeing,
or supervising sports teams; and mentoring youth.
How Volunteers Became Involved with Main Organization
Among volunteers, 41.9 percent became involved with their main organization
after being asked to volunteer, most often by someone in the organization.
About the same proportion (41.6 percent) became involved on their own
initiative--that is, they approached the organization. (See table 6.)
Technical Note
The data in this release were collected through a supplement to the September 2011
Current Population Survey (CPS). The CPS--a monthly survey of about 60,000 eligible
households conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau for the Bureau of Labor Statistics--
focuses on obtaining information on employment and unemployment among the nation's
civilian noninstitutional population age 16 and over. The purpose of this supplement
to the CPS was to obtain information on the incidence of volunteering and the
characteristics of volunteers in the United States.
Information in this release will be made available to sensory-impaired individuals
upon request. Voice phone: (202) 691-5200; Federal Relay Service: (800) 877-8339.
Reliability of the estimates
Statistics based on the CPS are subject to both sampling and nonsampling error.
When a sample, rather than the entire population, is surveyed, there is a chance
that the sample estimates may differ from the "true" population values they repre-
sent. The exact difference, or sampling error, varies depending on the particular
sample selected, and this variability is measured by the standard error of the es-
timate. There is about a 90-percent chance, or level of confidence, that an esti-
mate based on a sample will differ by no more than 1.6 standard errors from the
"true" population value because of sampling error. BLS analyses are generally con-
ducted at the 90-percent level of confidence.
The CPS data also are affected by nonsampling error. Nonsampling error can occur
for many reasons, including the failure to sample a segment of the population, in-
ability to obtain information for all respondents in the sample, inability or unwil-
lingness of respondents to provide correct information, and errors made in the col-
lection or processing of the data.
A full discussion of the reliability of data from the CPS and for information
on estimating standard errors is available on the BLS Web Site at
www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.htm#reliability.
The Census Bureau introduces adjustments to the population controls for the CPS as
part of its annual update of population estimates. For this reason, the data for 2011
presented in this release are not strictly comparable with data for 2010 and earlier
years. Additional information is available on the internet at
www.bls.gov/cps/documentation.htm#pop.
Volunteer questions and concepts
In the September 2011 supplement, questions on volunteer activities were asked of
all households. Efforts were made to have household members answer the volunteer
questions for themselves. (Generally, one member of the household answers all the
questions in the CPS on behalf of the entire household.) Self-response was consid-
ered important for the volunteer supplement because research indicated that self-re-
spondents could more easily answer questions on the characteristics of the volunteer
activity. About 69 percent of the responses were self-reports.
The survey was introduced as follows: "This month, we are interested in volunteer
activities, that is, activities for which people are not paid, except perhaps expenses.
We only want you to include volunteer activities that you did through or for an organ-
ization, even if you only did them once in a while."
Following this introduction, respondents were asked the first supplement question:
"Since September 1st of last year, have you done any volunteer activities through or
for an organization?"
If respondents did not answer "yes" to the first question, they were asked the fol-
lowing question: "Sometimes people don't think of activities they do infrequently or
activities they do for children's schools or youth organizations as volunteer activi-
ties. Since September 1st of last year, have you done any of these types of volunteer
activities?"
Respondents were considered volunteers if they answered "yes" to either of these
questions. This is the same method of identifying volunteers as was used in each of
the nine prior supplements.
Respondents classified as volunteers were asked further questions about the number
and type of organizations for which they volunteered, total hours spent volunteering,
how they became involved with the main organization for which they volunteered, the
type of activities they performed for the main organization, and what their main acti-
vity was.
The reference period for the questions on volunteering was about 1 year, from
September 1, 2010, through the survey week in September 2011. The reference period
for other characteristics--such as labor force status, educational attainment, and
marital status--refer to the survey reference week in September 2011. It is possi-
ble that these characteristics were different at the time volunteer activities were
performed.
One new question was added to the 2008 survey to determine whether or not respon-
dents had donated money, assets, or property with a combined value of more than $25
to charitable or religious organizations in the past 12 months. Two questions asked
in the 2007 supplement were removed in 2008. These questions asked how often respon-
dents who had attended public meetings or who had worked with others in their neigh-
borhood to fix a problem did so.
Definitions
Volunteers are persons who performed unpaid volunteer activities at any point from
September 1, 2010, through the survey period in September 2011. The count of volun-
teers only includes persons who volunteered through or for an organization; the figures
do not include persons who volunteered in a more informal manner. For example, a woman
who taught acting to children through a local theater would be considered a volunteer.
However, a woman who, on her own, organized softball games for the children in her
neighborhood would not be counted as a volunteer for the purpose of this survey.
Organizations are associations, societies, or groups of people who share a common
interest. Examples include churches, youth groups, and civic organizations. For the
purpose of this study, organizations are grouped into eight major categories, including
religious, youth, and social or community service organizations.
In the 2005 survey, one organization category, immigrant/refugee assistance, was ad-
ded to the questionnaire as a possible response. Responses that were collected in this
category may have been distributed over at least six of the major organization catego-
ries in previous years. For this reason, the addition of the new response category
created a break in the comparability of organizations between 2005 and prior years.
Because few people reported volunteering for immigrant/refugee assistance organizations
and because the group was not a definite subset of any of the major organization cate-
gories, those persons who did report that they volunteered for immigrant/refugee assis-
tance organizations were placed in the "other" group.
The main organization is the organization for which the volunteer worked the most
hours during the year. If a respondent volunteered for only one organization, it was
considered the main organization, even if exact hours were not obtained.
In order to identify the type of main organization, respondents provided information
about the organization and, for those who volunteered for more than one organization,
annual hours worked for each. Some respondents did not provide the information neces-
sary to determine the main organization. For these respondents, the follow-up questions
on activities and how they became involved with the main organization asked them to re-
port on the organization for which they think they spent the most time volunteering.
Activities are the specific tasks the volunteer did for an organization. Examples
include tutoring, fundraising, and serving food. The activity categories were modified
in 2005, thus creating a break in the comparability of activities between 2005 and prior
years.
In 2006, a new question was added that asked respondents on which of the activities
they mentioned they spent the most time. Previously, respondents reported all of the
activities they did for their main organization. The new question identified which of
them was the main activity for the main organization.
Table 1. Volunteers by selected characteristics, September 2011
(Numbers in thousands)
Total, both sexes Men Women
Volunteers Volunteers Volunteers
Characteristics in September 2011 Civilian Civilian Civilian
noninsti- noninsti- noninsti-
tutional Percent tutional Percent tutional Percent
popula- Number of popula- Number of popula- Number of
tion popula- tion popula- tion popula-
tion tion tion
Age
Total, 16 years and over................ 239,972 64,252 26.8 116,532 27,354 23.5 123,441 36,898 29.9
16 to 24 years........................ 38,203 8,578 22.5 19,478 3,799 19.5 18,726 4,779 25.5
16 to 19 years..................... 16,802 4,436 26.4 8,598 2,041 23.7 8,203 2,395 29.2
20 to 24 years..................... 21,402 4,142 19.4 10,879 1,758 16.2 10,522 2,385 22.7
25 years and over..................... 201,769 55,674 27.6 97,054 23,555 24.3 104,715 32,119 30.7
25 to 34 years..................... 41,508 9,691 23.3 20,769 4,023 19.4 20,739 5,668 27.3
35 to 44 years..................... 39,458 12,566 31.8 19,410 5,332 27.5 20,048 7,234 36.1
45 to 54 years..................... 43,859 13,420 30.6 21,501 5,760 26.8 22,358 7,660 34.3
55 to 64 years..................... 37,201 10,449 28.1 17,888 4,491 25.1 19,313 5,958 30.9
65 years and over.................. 39,743 9,547 24.0 17,486 3,949 22.6 22,257 5,598 25.2
Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity
White................................... 193,281 54,432 28.2 94,935 23,292 24.5 98,346 31,140 31.7
Black or African American............... 29,179 5,934 20.3 13,196 2,374 18.0 15,983 3,560 22.3
Asian................................... 11,494 2,304 20.0 5,429 1,007 18.6 6,065 1,296 21.4
Hispanic or Latino ethnicity............ 34,613 5,151 14.9 17,858 2,221 12.4 16,755 2,930 17.5
Educational attainment (1)
Less than a high school diploma......... 25,188 2,461 9.8 12,584 1,038 8.2 12,604 1,423 11.3
High school graduates, no college (2)... 60,682 11,049 18.2 29,587 4,726 16.0 31,096 6,322 20.3
Some college or associate degree ....... 54,026 15,946 29.5 24,986 6,259 25.0 29,040 9,687 33.4
Bachelor's degree and higher (3)........ 61,873 26,218 42.4 29,898 11,531 38.6 31,976 14,687 45.9
Marital status
Single, never married................... 70,650 14,744 20.9 37,488 6,642 17.7 33,163 8,102 24.4
Married, spouse present................. 121,798 39,289 32.3 61,958 17,732 28.6 59,840 21,557 36.0
Other marital status (4)................ 47,524 10,219 21.5 17,086 2,980 17.4 30,438 7,240 23.8
Presence of own children
under 18 years (5)
Without own children under 18........... 172,501 41,535 24.1 86,497 18,113 20.9 86,004 23,422 27.2
With own children under 18.............. 67,472 22,716 33.7 30,035 9,241 30.8 37,437 13,476 36.0
Employment status
Civilian labor force.................... 155,679 45,249 29.1 82,954 21,234 25.6 72,724 24,015 33.0
Employed.............................. 141,525 41,881 29.6 75,477 19,857 26.3 66,048 22,024 33.3
Full time (6)....................... 113,410 32,517 28.7 65,219 17,144 26.3 48,191 15,374 31.9
Part time (7)....................... 28,115 9,363 33.3 10,259 2,713 26.4 17,857 6,650 37.2
Unemployed............................ 14,153 3,368 23.8 7,477 1,377 18.4 6,676 1,991 29.8
Not in the labor force.................. 84,294 19,003 22.5 33,577 6,120 18.2 50,717 12,883 25.4
1 Data refer to persons 25 years and over.
2 Includes persons with a high school diploma or equivalent.
3 Includes persons with bachelor's, professional, and doctoral degrees.
4 Includes divorced, separated, and widowed persons.
5 Own children include sons, daughters, stepchildren, and adopted children. Not included are nieces, nephews,
grandchildren, and other related and unrelated children.
6 Usually work 35 hours or more a week at all jobs.
7 Usually work less than 35 hours a week at all jobs.
NOTE: Data on volunteers relate to persons who performed unpaid volunteer activities for an organization at any point
from September 1, 2010, through the survey period in September 2011. Estimates for the above race groups (white, black or
African American, and Asian) do not sum to totals because data are not presented for all races. Persons whose ethnicity is
identified as Hispanic or Latino may be of any race.
Table 2. Volunteers by annual hours of volunteer activities and selected characteristics, September 2011
Percent distribution of total annual hours spent volunteering
at all organizations
Total Median
volunteers annual
Characteristics in September 2011 (thousands) Not hours
1 to 14 15 to 49 50 to 99 100 to 500 report- (1)
Total hour(s) hours hours 499 hours ing
hours and over annual
hours
Sex
Total, both sexes....................... 64,252 100.0 21.4 24.8 15.0 27.7 5.7 5.3 51
Men.................................. 27,354 100.0 20.7 24.9 15.1 28.1 5.8 5.4 52
Women................................ 36,898 100.0 22.0 24.7 14.9 27.5 5.6 5.3 50
Age
Total, 16 years and over................ 64,252 100.0 21.4 24.8 15.0 27.7 5.7 5.3 51
16 to 24 years........................ 8,578 100.0 24.2 28.0 14.8 21.1 4.3 7.5 38
16 to 19 years..................... 4,436 100.0 22.3 30.8 17.1 20.6 3.0 6.2 39
20 to 24 years..................... 4,142 100.0 26.3 25.0 12.3 21.7 5.8 8.9 36
25 years and over..................... 55,674 100.0 21.0 24.3 15.1 28.7 5.9 5.0 52
25 to 34 years..................... 9,691 100.0 29.8 25.9 13.8 22.0 3.6 4.9 32
35 to 44 years..................... 12,566 100.0 23.6 25.7 15.1 27.1 4.6 3.8 48
45 to 54 years..................... 13,420 100.0 19.3 25.5 16.2 28.8 5.5 4.7 52
55 to 64 years..................... 10,449 100.0 18.8 24.2 15.4 29.0 6.9 5.7 53
65 years and over.................. 9,547 100.0 13.5 19.3 14.3 37.4 9.5 6.1 96
Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity
White................................... 54,432 100.0 21.4 25.0 15.1 27.8 5.7 5.0 51
Black or African American............... 5,934 100.0 21.0 22.0 13.8 28.4 6.5 8.3 52
Asian................................... 2,304 100.0 23.0 26.1 15.9 25.7 4.3 5.0 48
Hispanic or Latino ethnicity............ 5,151 100.0 26.1 24.7 13.6 24.6 5.8 5.3 40
Educational attainment (2)
Less than a high school diploma......... 2,461 100.0 26.3 22.1 12.0 24.9 7.0 7.7 45
High school graduates, no college (3)... 11,049 100.0 22.5 24.3 13.6 27.7 6.2 5.8 50
Some college or associate degree ....... 15,946 100.0 22.3 24.1 14.7 28.1 6.2 4.6 52
Bachelor's degree and higher (4)........ 26,218 100.0 19.1 24.6 16.2 29.9 5.5 4.6 56
Marital status
Single, never married................... 14,744 100.0 25.2 27.2 14.6 21.3 4.5 7.2 38
Married, spouse present................. 39,289 100.0 20.1 24.1 15.5 29.8 5.9 4.5 52
Other marital status (5)................ 10,219 100.0 21.0 23.9 13.9 29.0 6.7 5.6 52
Presence of own children
under 18 years (6)
Men:
No own children under 18 years old.... 18,113 100.0 20.1 25.3 14.8 27.1 6.5 6.2 52
With own children under 18 years old.. 9,241 100.0 21.9 24.1 15.8 29.9 4.5 3.8 52
Women:
No own children under 18 years old.... 23,422 100.0 20.6 23.8 14.9 28.4 6.4 5.9 52
With own children under 18 years old.. 13,476 100.0 24.4 26.4 15.0 25.9 4.2 4.1 44
Employment status
Civilian labor force.................... 45,249 100.0 23.0 26.0 15.3 25.9 4.8 5.0 48
Employed.............................. 41,881 100.0 22.9 26.1 15.3 26.1 4.6 4.9 48
Full time (7)....................... 32,517 100.0 23.6 26.4 15.4 25.3 4.4 4.9 45
Part time (8)....................... 9,363 100.0 20.7 24.9 15.2 28.7 5.4 5.0 52
Unemployed............................ 3,368 100.0 23.5 25.7 14.1 23.6 7.2 6.0 45
Not in the labor force.................. 19,003 100.0 17.8 21.8 14.5 32.2 7.8 6.0 66
1 For those reporting annual hours.
2 Data refer to persons 25 years and over.
3 Includes persons with a high school diploma or equivalent.
4 Includes persons with bachelor's, professional, and doctoral degrees.
5 Includes divorced, separated, and widowed persons.
6 Own children include sons, daughters, stepchildren, and adopted children. Not included are nieces, nephews,
grandchildren, and other related and unrelated children.
7 Usually work 35 hours or more a week at all jobs.
8 Usually work less than 35 hours a week at all jobs.
NOTE: Data on volunteers relate to persons who performed unpaid volunteer activities for an organization at any point
from September 1, 2010, through the survey period in September 2011. Estimates for the above race groups (white, black or
African American, and Asian) do not sum to totals because data are not presented for all races. Persons whose ethnicity
is identified as Hispanic or Latino may be of any race.
Table 3. Volunteers by number of organizations for which volunteer activities were performed and
selected characteristics, September 2011
Percent distribution of the number of
organizations for which volunteer activities
were performed
Total
Characteristics in September 2011 volunteers
(thousands) Not
Five reporting
Total One Two Three Four or number of
more organiza-
tions
Sex
Total, both sexes....................... 64,252 100.0 69.6 19.4 7.0 2.2 1.4 0.4
Men.................................. 27,354 100.0 71.0 18.7 6.8 1.9 1.3 .3
Women................................ 36,898 100.0 68.5 19.9 7.2 2.5 1.5 .4
Age
Total, 16 years and over................ 64,252 100.0 69.6 19.4 7.0 2.2 1.4 .4
16 to 24 years........................ 8,578 100.0 75.1 16.5 5.2 1.5 .9 .7
16 to 19 years..................... 4,436 100.0 71.2 19.1 6.4 2.0 .9 .5
20 to 24 years..................... 4,142 100.0 79.3 13.7 4.0 1.1 .9 1.0
25 years and over..................... 55,674 100.0 68.7 19.8 7.3 2.4 1.5 .3
25 to 34 years..................... 9,691 100.0 75.2 16.7 5.9 1.3 .6 .3
35 to 44 years..................... 12,566 100.0 68.5 20.5 7.3 2.5 1.1 .2
45 to 54 years..................... 13,420 100.0 66.6 20.5 8.2 2.5 2.0 .3
55 to 64 years..................... 10,449 100.0 67.4 20.6 7.1 2.8 1.8 .3
65 years and over.................. 9,547 100.0 67.0 20.5 7.6 2.6 1.8 .5
Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity
White................................... 54,432 100.0 68.1 20.1 7.5 2.4 1.5 .3
Black or African American............... 5,934 100.0 78.6 14.6 4.2 1.1 1.0 .4
Asian................................... 2,304 100.0 80.5 13.8 4.2 1.2 .1 .2
Hispanic or Latino ethnicity............ 5,151 100.0 81.7 12.8 3.8 .9 .6 .2
Educational attainment (1)
Less than a high school diploma......... 2,461 100.0 88.2 8.4 2.3 .3 .5 .3
High school graduates, no college (2)... 11,049 100.0 79.1 14.6 4.5 .9 .6 .3
Some college or associate degree ....... 15,946 100.0 70.8 20.1 5.8 1.9 1.1 .4
Bachelor's degree and higher (3)........ 26,218 100.0 61.2 23.0 9.9 3.4 2.2 .2
Marital status
Single, never married................... 14,744 100.0 73.7 17.3 5.7 1.8 .9 .6
Married, spouse present................. 39,289 100.0 67.8 20.4 7.6 2.4 1.5 .3
Other marital status (4)................ 10,219 100.0 70.6 18.5 6.5 2.3 1.9 .3
Presence of own children under 18 years
(5)
Men:
No own children under 18 years old.... 18,113 100.0 71.6 18.2 6.3 1.9 1.6 .4
With own children under 18 years old.. 9,241 100.0 69.8 19.6 7.8 1.9 .7 .2
Women:
No own children under 18 years old.... 23,422 100.0 69.3 19.5 7.1 2.3 1.3 .4
With own children under 18 years old.. 13,476 100.0 67.2 20.8 7.3 2.8 1.8 .3
Employment status
Civilian labor force.................... 45,249 100.0 69.4 19.5 7.2 2.1 1.4 .3
Employed.............................. 41,881 100.0 69.2 19.6 7.3 2.2 1.5 .3
Full time (6)....................... 32,517 100.0 69.5 19.3 7.3 2.1 1.4 .3
Part time (7)....................... 9,363 100.0 67.8 20.4 7.3 2.6 1.7 .3
Unemployed............................ 3,368 100.0 71.9 19.3 5.7 1.5 1.2 .4
Not in the labor force.................. 19,003 100.0 70.1 19.1 6.6 2.5 1.3 .4
1 Data refer to persons 25 years and over.
2 Includes persons with a high school diploma or equivalent.
3 Includes persons with bachelor's, professional, and doctoral degrees.
4 Includes divorced, separated, and widowed persons.
5 Own children include sons, daughters, stepchildren, and adopted children. Not included are
nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and other related and unrelated children.
6 Usually work 35 hours or more a week at all jobs.
7 Usually work less than 35 hours a week at all jobs.
NOTE: Data on volunteers relate to persons who performed unpaid volunteer activities for an
organization at any point from September 1, 2010, through the survey period in September 2011.
Estimates for the above race groups (white, black or African American, and Asian) do not sum to
totals because data are not presented for all races. Persons whose ethnicity is identified as
Hispanic or Latino may be of any race. Dash represents or rounds to zero.
Table 4. Volunteers by type of main organization for which volunteer activities were performed and selected characteristics,
September 2011
Percent distribution of volunteers by type of main organization (1)
Total Civic,
volun- politi- Educa- Envi- Hos- Social Sport,
Characteristics in September 2011 teers cal, tional ron- pital Pub- or hobby, Not
(thou- Total profes- or mental or lic Reli- commun- cultur- Other deter-
sands) sional, youth or other safe- gious ity al, mined
or ser- animal health ty service or arts
inter- vice care
national
Sex
Total, both sexes....................... 64,252 100.0 5.4 25.7 2.3 7.7 1.3 33.2 14.3 3.8 3.9 2.4
Men.................................. 27,354 100.0 7.0 23.9 2.1 5.7 2.4 32.8 14.9 4.9 3.9 2.5
Women................................ 36,898 100.0 4.3 27.0 2.4 9.2 .5 33.5 13.8 3.1 3.9 2.3
Age
Total, 16 years and over................ 64,252 100.0 5.4 25.7 2.3 7.7 1.3 33.2 14.3 3.8 3.9 2.4
16 to 24 years........................ 8,578 100.0 4.0 29.4 2.9 8.1 1.5 26.5 15.1 4.1 3.8 4.5
16 to 19 years..................... 4,436 100.0 3.6 34.6 2.4 6.5 .7 29.0 13.4 3.8 2.9 3.1
20 to 24 years..................... 4,142 100.0 4.5 23.8 3.5 9.9 2.4 23.8 17.0 4.4 4.9 5.9
25 years and over..................... 55,674 100.0 5.6 25.1 2.2 7.6 1.3 34.2 14.2 3.8 3.9 2.1
25 to 34 years..................... 9,691 100.0 4.6 30.8 2.3 9.3 1.7 27.7 14.2 3.1 4.0 2.2
35 to 44 years..................... 12,566 100.0 4.5 39.4 1.8 5.7 1.1 28.3 11.3 3.4 3.1 1.4
45 to 54 years..................... 13,420 100.0 5.4 27.5 2.2 7.1 1.2 34.1 12.6 3.8 4.0 2.1
55 to 64 years..................... 10,449 100.0 7.0 14.8 3.0 8.6 1.7 37.6 16.0 4.3 4.4 2.6
65 years and over.................. 9,547 100.0 7.1 8.2 1.7 8.1 .8 44.9 18.3 4.5 4.2 2.2
Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity
White................................... 54,432 100.0 5.7 25.7 2.6 8.0 1.4 31.9 14.4 4.1 4.1 2.2
Black or African American............... 5,934 100.0 3.2 23.9 .2 6.4 .8 44.5 13.1 1.5 3.1 3.4
Asian................................... 2,304 100.0 5.5 29.0 .5 6.5 .2 35.5 14.7 3.9 1.8 2.1
Hispanic or Latino ethnicity............ 5,151 100.0 3.8 36.6 1.2 6.0 .5 32.9 10.4 2.7 3.3 2.5
Educational attainment (2)
Less than a high school diploma......... 2,461 100.0 4.9 22.7 1.5 4.4 1.5 47.8 10.7 1.4 3.1 2.2
High school graduates, no college (3)... 11,049 100.0 5.0 22.3 1.4 7.1 2.2 39.0 14.4 3.4 3.6 1.8
Some college or associate degree ....... 15,946 100.0 5.6 24.7 2.4 7.5 1.6 33.5 15.0 3.5 4.1 2.0
Bachelor's degree and higher (4)........ 26,218 100.0 6.0 26.7 2.5 8.2 .7 31.3 13.9 4.4 4.0 2.2
Marital status
Single, never married................... 14,744 100.0 5.3 26.7 3.1 9.1 1.5 24.4 17.2 4.2 4.5 3.9
Married, spouse present................. 39,289 100.0 5.4 26.7 1.8 6.7 1.2 36.9 12.3 3.7 3.5 1.8
Other marital status (5)................ 10,219 100.0 5.9 20.3 3.0 9.4 1.3 31.3 18.0 3.9 4.6 2.3
Presence of own children
under 18 years (6)
Men:
No own children under 18 years old.... 18,113 100.0 7.9 17.0 2.7 6.6 2.8 32.7 17.7 4.9 4.6 3.0
With own children under 18 years old.. 9,241 100.0 5.2 37.3 1.0 3.9 1.5 32.8 9.4 4.8 2.5 1.7
Women:
No own children under 18 years old.... 23,422 100.0 5.2 16.1 3.2 11.3 .6 36.2 16.6 3.7 4.5 2.6
With own children under 18 years old.. 13,476 100.0 2.8 45.9 1.1 5.5 .3 28.8 9.0 1.9 3.0 1.7
Employment status
Civilian labor force.................... 45,249 100.0 5.7 27.1 2.4 7.7 1.5 31.7 13.7 4.0 3.9 2.3
Employed.............................. 41,881 100.0 5.7 26.6 2.3 7.8 1.5 32.3 13.6 4.0 3.9 2.3
Full time (7)....................... 32,517 100.0 6.0 26.5 2.3 8.0 1.7 31.5 13.9 4.0 3.8 2.3
Part time (8)....................... 9,363 100.0 4.5 26.9 2.5 7.0 1.0 34.7 12.9 4.1 4.1 2.3
Unemployed............................ 3,368 100.0 5.3 33.4 2.9 7.4 1.1 25.4 14.2 3.5 4.1 2.6
Not in the labor force.................. 19,003 100.0 4.9 22.2 2.1 7.6 .9 36.6 15.8 3.5 4.0 2.5
1 Main organization is defined as the organization for which the volunteer worked the most hours during the year. See the
Technical Note for more details.
2 Data refer to persons 25 years and over.
3 Includes persons with a high school diploma or equivalent.
4 Includes persons with bachelor's, professional, and doctoral degrees.
5 Includes divorced, separated, and widowed persons.
6 Own children include sons, daughters, stepchildren, and adopted children. Not included are nieces, nephews, grandchildren,
and other related and unrelated children.
7 Usually work 35 hours or more a week at all jobs.
8 Usually work less than 35 hours a week at all jobs.
NOTE: Data on volunteers relate to persons who performed unpaid volunteer activities for an organization at any point from
September 1, 2010, through the survey period in September 2011. Estimates for the above race groups (white, black or African
American, and Asian) do not sum to totals because data are not presented for all races. Persons whose ethnicity is identified
as Hispanic or Latino may be of any race.
Table 5. Main volunteer activity for main organization for which activities were performed and selected characteristics,
September 2011
Percent distribution of main volunteer activity for main organization (1)
Pro-
vide
pro-
Col- Pro- fes-
lect, vide sional
Coach, Col- make, coun- or Engage Engage
Total re-, lect, or Fund- sel- manage- in in
volun- fer- Be an pre- distrib- raise ing, Pro- ment music, gener-
Characteristics in September 2011 teers ee, Tu- usher, pare, ute or medi- vide as- perfor- al Equal
(thou- or tor Ment- greet- dis- cloth- sell cal gener- sis- mance labor; Oth- time
sands) sup- or or er, or trib- ing, items care, al tance, or supply er among
er- teach youth minis- ute, crafts, to fire/ office includ- other trans- all
vise ter or or raise EMS, servi- ing artis- por-
sports serve goods money or ces serv- tic tation
teams food other protec- ing on activi- to
than tive a ties people
food ser- board
vices or
com-
mit-
tee
Sex
Total, both sexes....................... 64,252 5.6 9.2 6.5 4.2 10.6 3.7 11.0 3.1 4.6 7.3 3.9 9.3 13.4 7.4
Men.................................. 27,354 10.1 7.2 6.6 5.4 8.0 2.2 8.9 3.6 2.8 8.7 4.0 13.3 12.7 6.7
Women................................ 36,898 2.3 10.7 6.5 3.4 12.5 4.7 12.6 2.8 6.0 6.3 3.9 6.3 14.0 8.0
Age
Total, 16 years and over................ 64,252 5.6 9.2 6.5 4.2 10.6 3.7 11.0 3.1 4.6 7.3 3.9 9.3 13.4 7.4
16 to 24 years........................ 8,578 6.6 10.4 9.3 1.7 8.5 3.4 9.5 2.9 3.5 1.5 5.2 13.0 16.8 7.8
16 to 19 years..................... 4,436 6.8 10.2 9.4 2.2 9.1 3.8 9.5 1.3 2.3 1.5 5.5 14.6 15.6 8.2
20 to 24 years..................... 4,142 6.3 10.6 9.1 1.2 7.9 2.9 9.5 4.5 4.9 1.5 4.9 11.3 18.2 7.4
25 years and over..................... 55,674 5.5 9.0 6.1 4.6 10.9 3.7 11.2 3.2 4.8 8.2 3.7 8.7 12.9 7.4
25 to 34 years..................... 9,691 6.5 10.6 8.8 3.2 9.2 3.8 11.5 4.3 4.0 5.1 3.7 9.3 13.9 6.4
35 to 44 years..................... 12,566 9.9 10.6 7.9 3.1 9.4 3.0 12.8 2.6 4.0 6.4 3.1 8.8 10.8 7.6
45 to 54 years..................... 13,420 6.2 8.9 6.5 4.6 10.0 2.8 12.4 3.0 4.7 9.0 3.5 8.3 12.4 7.6
55 to 64 years..................... 10,449 2.8 8.5 4.5 5.7 11.6 3.5 10.4 3.6 5.1 11.1 4.4 8.8 12.9 7.1
65 years and over.................. 9,547 .6 6.2 2.1 7.0 15.0 6.2 8.1 2.5 6.6 9.7 4.3 8.2 15.6 8.1
Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity
White................................... 54,432 5.7 8.9 6.4 3.9 10.4 3.7 11.6 3.1 4.5 7.8 3.8 9.4 13.5 7.3
Black or African American............... 5,934 5.6 10.0 8.6 7.0 12.4 3.6 7.7 3.2 4.7 3.2 5.2 7.5 12.6 8.6
Asian................................... 2,304 2.6 12.9 5.0 4.8 10.3 3.7 7.0 3.5 6.1 6.2 4.1 9.2 14.7 9.9
Hispanic or Latino ethnicity............ 5,151 8.2 10.9 6.6 4.1 10.6 4.2 10.5 2.2 4.6 2.8 3.5 9.5 15.0 7.4
Educational attainment (2)
Less than a high school diploma......... 2,461 2.9 4.8 3.0 7.8 18.0 5.6 8.6 1.3 4.4 1.3 2.7 15.5 16.9 7.2
High school graduates, no college (3)... 11,049 5.7 6.6 4.8 5.5 15.7 4.6 11.6 3.1 4.6 3.6 3.1 10.9 12.7 7.4
Some college or associate degree ....... 15,946 5.2 8.4 6.0 4.2 11.4 3.9 12.1 3.3 5.2 6.1 3.9 9.6 13.4 7.3
Bachelor's degree and higher (4)........ 26,218 5.8 10.8 7.0 4.3 7.9 3.1 10.8 3.3 4.7 12.1 4.0 6.5 12.3 7.4
Marital status
Single, never married................... 14,744 5.2 9.0 7.8 2.8 9.6 3.7 10.0 3.0 3.8 4.1 4.7 12.1 17.0 7.1
Married, spouse present................. 39,289 6.2 9.7 6.5 4.7 9.9 3.4 11.6 3.0 4.7 8.8 3.7 8.2 11.9 7.5
Other marital status (5)................ 10,219 3.8 7.5 4.6 4.6 14.4 4.6 10.2 3.7 5.6 6.3 3.7 9.1 14.2 7.7
Presence of own children
under 18 years (6)
Men:
No own children under 18 years old.... 18,113 5.2 7.1 5.5 5.7 9.0 2.6 8.7 4.0 3.1 9.4 4.5 14.0 14.3 6.9
With own children under 18 years old.. 9,241 19.8 7.4 8.6 4.6 6.0 1.5 9.2 2.8 2.1 7.3 2.9 11.8 9.7 6.1
Women:
No own children under 18 years old.... 23,422 1.6 8.8 5.6 4.2 13.1 5.3 11.4 3.2 6.2 6.6 4.5 6.6 15.0 8.0
With own children under 18 years old.. 13,476 3.4 14.1 8.0 2.2 11.5 3.8 14.7 2.1 5.6 5.8 2.9 5.7 12.2 8.1
Employment status
Civilian labor force.................... 45,249 7.0 9.2 7.2 4.0 9.6 3.0 11.8 3.4 3.9 7.9 3.9 9.5 12.4 7.2
Employed.............................. 41,881 7.1 9.2 7.2 4.1 9.3 3.0 11.9 3.5 3.8 8.3 4.0 9.2 12.1 7.1
Full time (7)....................... 32,517 8.1 8.7 7.5 4.2 9.1 2.7 12.1 3.8 3.3 8.8 3.7 9.4 11.7 6.8
Part time (8)....................... 9,363 3.9 10.9 6.1 3.8 10.2 3.9 11.4 2.6 5.4 6.6 4.8 8.4 13.6 8.4
Unemployed............................ 3,368 5.3 9.0 7.1 2.5 13.2 4.0 9.5 2.5 4.8 3.3 3.0 12.7 15.8 7.4
Not in the labor force.................. 19,003 2.4 9.3 4.8 4.8 12.9 5.2 9.2 2.4 6.4 6.0 4.0 8.7 15.8 8.1
1 Main organization is defined as the organization for which the volunteer worked the most hours during the year. See the Technical
Note for more details.
2 Data refer to persons 25 years and over.
3 Includes persons with a high school diploma or equivalent.
4 Includes persons with bachelor's, professional, and doctoral degrees.
5 Includes divorced, separated, and widowed persons.
6 Own children include sons, daughters, stepchildren, and adopted children. Not included are nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and other
related and unrelated children.
7 Usually work 35 hours or more a week at all jobs.
8 Usually work less than 35 hours a week at all jobs.
NOTE: Data on volunteers relate to persons who performed unpaid volunteer activities for an organization at any point from September
1, 2010, through the survey period in September 2011. Estimates for the above race groups (white, black or African American, and Asian)
do not sum to totals because data are not presented for all races. Persons whose ethnicity is identified as Hispanic or Latino may be of
any race.
Table 6. Volunteers by how they became involved with main organization for which volunteer activities were performed and
selected characteristics, September 2011
Percent distribution of how volunteers became involved with main
organization (1)
Total Was asked by:
volun- Not
Characteristics in September 2011 teers Approached report-
(thou- the Rela- Someone ing how
sands) Total organi- Boss or tive, in the Other became
zation Total employ- friend, organiza- Someone in-
(2) er or tion/ else volved
co- school
worker
Sex
Total, both sexes....................... 64,252 100.0 41.6 41.9 1.3 15.3 23.8 1.2 13.0 3.6
Men.................................. 27,354 100.0 40.7 43.0 1.3 16.5 23.8 1.1 12.5 3.8
Women................................ 36,898 100.0 42.2 41.0 1.3 14.4 23.8 1.3 13.3 3.4
Age
Total, 16 years and over................ 64,252 100.0 41.6 41.9 1.3 15.3 23.8 1.2 13.0 3.6
16 to 24 years........................ 8,578 100.0 40.8 40.3 .5 16.6 21.2 1.9 14.0 5.0
16 to 19 years..................... 4,436 100.0 38.8 44.3 .1 15.9 26.3 1.9 13.1 3.8
20 to 24 years..................... 4,142 100.0 42.9 35.9 .8 17.4 15.8 1.9 14.9 6.3
25 years and over..................... 55,674 100.0 41.7 42.1 1.5 15.1 24.2 1.1 12.8 3.4
25 to 34 years..................... 9,691 100.0 40.3 43.5 2.3 18.1 21.8 1.2 12.7 3.5
35 to 44 years..................... 12,566 100.0 42.2 42.5 1.5 13.9 26.1 .9 12.4 2.8
45 to 54 years..................... 13,420 100.0 40.8 42.5 1.5 14.2 25.4 1.1 13.2 3.5
55 to 64 years..................... 10,449 100.0 41.4 42.1 1.5 15.7 23.5 1.1 13.0 3.5
65 years and over.................. 9,547 100.0 44.1 39.6 .3 14.3 23.4 1.4 12.8 3.4
Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity
White................................... 54,432 100.0 41.7 42.3 1.4 15.6 23.9 1.3 12.6 3.4
Black or African American............... 5,934 100.0 43.5 37.4 1.1 11.9 23.0 1.2 14.2 4.8
Asian................................... 2,304 100.0 38.8 42.4 1.3 14.5 25.7 .6 14.8 4.0
Hispanic or Latino ethnicity............ 5,151 100.0 45.0 40.1 1.4 14.6 22.2 1.7 11.3 3.7
Educational attainment (3)
Less than a high school diploma......... 2,461 100.0 43.4 42.3 .5 14.8 25.1 1.7 11.4 2.9
High school graduates, no college (4)... 11,049 100.0 41.6 41.8 1.2 16.5 23.0 1.0 12.9 3.7
Some college or associate degree ....... 15,946 100.0 40.6 42.3 1.5 14.8 24.6 1.1 14.0 3.2
Bachelor's degree and higher (5)........ 26,218 100.0 42.3 42.1 1.6 14.8 24.4 1.1 12.2 3.4
Marital status
Single, never married................... 14,744 100.0 40.8 40.4 1.4 17.7 19.6 1.6 14.0 4.8
Married, spouse present................. 39,289 100.0 41.2 43.1 1.3 14.3 26.2 1.0 12.5 3.1
Other marital status (6)................ 10,219 100.0 44.2 39.2 1.2 15.7 20.7 1.5 13.2 3.5
Presence of own children under
18 years (7)
Men:
No own children under 18 years old.... 18,113 100.0 40.9 42.4 1.4 17.6 22.0 1.2 12.6 4.0
With own children under 18 years old.. 9,241 100.0 40.3 44.2 1.1 14.5 27.4 1.0 12.2 3.3
Women:
No own children under 18 years old.... 23,422 100.0 43.0 39.7 1.4 16.1 20.6 1.5 13.6 3.7
With own children under 18 years old.. 13,476 100.0 40.9 43.4 1.2 11.4 29.5 1.0 12.7 3.0
Employment status
Civilian labor force.................... 45,249 100.0 40.7 42.7 1.8 16.1 23.5 1.1 13.0 3.5
Employed.............................. 41,881 100.0 40.6 43.0 1.9 16.2 23.7 1.2 12.8 3.6
Full time (8)....................... 32,517 100.0 40.6 43.0 2.2 16.4 23.2 1.1 12.7 3.7
Part time (9)....................... 9,363 100.0 40.6 43.3 .8 15.5 25.3 1.5 13.0 3.2
Unemployed............................ 3,368 100.0 42.1 38.8 .5 15.6 21.6 1.0 16.2 3.0
Not in the labor force.................. 19,003 100.0 43.7 39.8 .3 13.4 24.6 1.4 12.8 3.7
1 Main organization is defined as the organization for which the volunteer worked the most hours during the year. See
the Technical Note for more details.
2 Includes persons who did not specify who asked them to volunteer, not shown separately.
3 Data refer to persons 25 years and over.
4 Includes persons with a high school diploma or equivalent.
5 Includes persons with bachelor's, professional, and doctoral degrees.
6 Includes divorced, separated, and widowed persons.
7 Own children include sons, daughters, stepchildren, and adopted children. Not included are nieces, nephews,
grandchildren, and other related and unrelated children.
8 Usually work 35 hours or more a week at all jobs.
9 Usually work less than 35 hours a week at all jobs.
NOTE: Data on volunteers relate to persons who performed unpaid volunteer activities for an organization at any point
from September 1, 2010, through the survey period in September 2011. Estimates for the above race groups (white, black or
African American, and Asian) do not sum to totals because data are not presented for all races. Persons whose ethnicity
is identified as Hispanic or Latino may be of any race.
United States Department of Labor
