18 Key Volunteering Statistics & Insights for CSR Leaders

Volunteering has always been about more than giving your time. It’s about strengthening communities, building meaningful connections, and sparking change that lasts. In today’s workplace, volunteerism is also becoming a powerful tool for employee engagement, professional growth, and corporate social responsibility. From individual acts of kindness to large-scale corporate volunteer programs, the numbers tell a fascinating story about how and why people give back.

We’ve rounded up the most compelling, up-to-date volunteering statistics from trusted sources. So, whether you’re looking for volunteer work statistics to shape your organization's outreach, employee volunteer program statistics to inform HR initiatives, or simply statistics about volunteering to inspire action, you’ll find credible, ready-to-cite data here!

Table of Contents:

• Key Volunteering Statistics
• Volunteer Work Statistics
• Corporate & Employee Volunteer Program Statistics
• Volunteer Time Off Statistics
• Health & Behavioral Benefits
• Bring Volunteerism to Your CSR Program with Groundswell

Key Volunteering Statistics

Volunteering touches nearly every corner of society, from schools and hospitals to food banks and disaster relief efforts. These key volunteering statistics offer a snapshot of who’s giving their time, how much they’re contributing, and the overall impact of their efforts.

• Between September 2022 and 2023, about 28.3% of adults (aged 16+) formally volunteered through an organization. That’s roughly 75.8 million Americans. (United States Census Bureau, 2024).
• During that same period, an estimated 4.99 billion hours of formal volunteering were recorded, generating $167.2 billion in economic value. (United States Census Bureau, 2024).
• Between 2021 and 2023, the median number of volunteer hours grew by 75% and average volunteer participation increased by 8%. (CECP Giving in Numbers Report, 2024).

Volunteer Work Statistics

Volunteering takes many forms, from mentoring students and serving meals to organizing local cleanups. Each contribution adds to a powerful national impact. These volunteer work statistics paint a detailed picture of how Americans are giving their time and skills, providing insight into how service habits are shifting in today’s busy world. 

• On an average day in 2022, more than 11 million people volunteered, with women making up approximately 7 million of those and men accounting for the other 4 million. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024).
• The average volunteer rate among those aged 15 and up was 5.1% for women and 3.2% for men. Rates were highest in the 65+ age group (women: 7.8%; men: 6.4%). (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024).
• Between September 2022 and September 2023, 54.2% of Americans provided informal help, such as errands or favors to neighbors. This rose from 51.7% in 2019. (United States Census Bureau, 2024).
• In the same period, volunteers worked nearly 5 billion hours and were responsible for over $167.2 billion in economic value. (United States Census Bureau, 2024).

Corporate & Employee Volunteer Program Statistics

From boosting employee engagement to strengthening brand reputation, corporate volunteering is becoming a key part of modern business strategy. These employee volunteer program statistics and corporate volunteering statistics highlight how companies are integrating service into their culture, and why it’s paying off for both employees and the bottom line.

• 40% of Fortune 500 companies provide volunteer grants to recognize significant employee contributions. (Double the Donation, 2025)
• Companies with well-established volunteer programs see less employee turnover and greater employee satisfaction. (Fortune, 2024).
• 92% of those surveyed by Deloitte believe volunteering improves an employee’s skill set. (Deloitte, 2016).
• In the same survey, 92% of respondents felt that volunteer activities were a reliable way to build leadership skills. (Deloitte, 2016).
• The median rate for employee volunteer participation was 23% in 2023, with smaller companies seeing greater participation. (CECP Giving in Numbers Report, 2024).

Volunteer Time Off Statistics

Volunteer Time Off (VTO) programs are increasingly popular as companies recognize the value of supporting employees in their community engagement efforts. These programs not only benefit the community but also enhance employee satisfaction and retention.

• 66% of companies offer Paid-Release Time for volunteers, making it the most popular volunteer program. (CECP Giving in Numbers Report, 2019).
• Organizations that offer VTO often see higher levels of employee engagement and lower turnover rates. (Employee Giving Trends Report, 2023).
• Companies with VTO programs typically offer around 20 hours of paid volunteer time per employee each year, equating to about two and a half days. (Double the Donation)

Health & Behavioral Benefits

Volunteering isn’t just good for the community—it’s good for you, too! Research shows that giving your time can improve mental health, reduce stress, and even boost physical well-being. These benefits of volunteering statistics reveal how acts of service ripple back to support the volunteer’s own health, happiness, and sense of purpose.

• Retirees (ages 65–79) who volunteer experience a 43% lower risk of depression. (MarketWatch, 2025).
• Volunteering has been shown to increase life satisfaction, sense of belonging, lower blood pressure, reduce Alzheimer’s risk, and even decrease mortality. (Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 2007).
• Volunteering can improve mental, social, and physical health, providing a sense of purpose and creating opportunities to nurture new and existing relationships. (Mayo Clinic, 2023). 

Bring Volunteerism to Your CSR Program with Groundswell

The data is clear: volunteerism isn’t just good for communities—it’s good for business. From boosting employee engagement and retention to strengthening brand reputation, the benefits of structured corporate and employee volunteer programs are undeniable. The right approach turns good intentions into measurable impact, benefiting your people, your organization, and the causes you care about.

Groundswell makes it easy to integrate volunteerism into your CSR initiatives. Our platform helps companies design, manage, and track impactful programs that align with their values and engage employees at every level. Whether you’re launching your first employee volunteer program or enhancing your current approach, Groundswell empowers you to make volunteering a core part of your company culture. 

Request a demo today and watch your impact grow!