Explore the key volunteering statistics and emerging trends that will shape your nonprofit organisation.
Volunteering holds immense value for society, serving as the backbone of many community services and enriching individual well-being. Beyond the altruistic nature of volunteer work, the act of giving one's time and skills fosters a sense of purpose, builds connections and enhances personal growth.
In recent years, data has become crucial in shaping volunteer management strategies, providing insights into trends and demographics that help nonprofit organisations optimise their outreach and impact.
As the voluntary sector faces new challenges, reading and interpreting volunteer statistics becomes not only the key to success, but in many cases to survival. Let’s have a look at the most remarkable regional and national statistics that will shape your community organisation.
The 2023 data reveals a diverse volunteering landscape across various demographics. Age, gender, region and ethnicity all play significant roles in shaping volunteering behaviours and, consequently, successful volunteer engagement strategies.
It pays to isolate individual target audiences to recognise patterns in volunteer recruitment, engagement and well-being, like the drop in formal volunteering among those aged 65-74 during the pandemic, from which volunteering hasn’t fully recovered so far.
Younger individuals are increasingly showing interest in voluntary activity. According to a survey, 17% of 18-34-year-olds who didn’t participate in any volunteer activity in 2022 planned to start in 2023. While we’re still waiting on national-scale statistics to confirm the step from initial commitment to action, this growing interest among the younger generation indicates a potential surge in volunteerism. That means each charity should cater to this demographic's preferences and motivations, tailoring their messaging and onboarding practices accordingly.
Volunteering activity has risen across various regions in the UK, with significant increases noted in Wales and a slight rise in Northern Ireland. In Wales, 30% of people volunteered in 2022-23, up from 26% in 2019-20. Similarly, Northern Ireland saw the formal volunteering rate rise to 21% of the adult population in 2023, up from 17% the previous year. These regional trends highlight the importance of localised volunteer management strategies to address specific community needs and preferences.
Charitable causes themselves can have a significant impact on the amount of work involved in engaging volunteers. Those intending to volunteer are most likely to engage with food banks (30%) or environmental causes (30%). Additionally, 72% of individuals expressed the importance of feeling part of their local community. These statistics underscore the diverse motivations behind volunteering and the need for organisations to offer varied opportunities that resonate with different community members.
That said, your own location should also shape your strategy. Interest in voluntary work doesn’t simply drop or rise from rural areas to cities or from country to country, but you will notice local patterns, which should be considered in designing each volunteering opportunity so that it addresses regional needs.
In Scotland, 46% of respondents participated in some form of volunteering, although the number of formal volunteers dropped from 26% in 2019 to 22% in 2022. Informal volunteering, however, remained consistent with pre-pandemic rates.
In Ireland, volunteering opportunities in sporting organisations were the most popular, with 290,000 out of 711,379 volunteers engaging in this sector. Political volunteering was the least popular, with only 2% participation.
As we’ve seen, volunteer engagement is hugely influenced by the supported causes. For example, volunteers aged 18-29 are more likely to engage with animal welfare (37.8%) and health organisations (28.8%).
Understanding these preferences allows organisations to tailor their programs to attract and retain volunteers effectively.
When developing your volunteer engagement strategy, it’s therefore important to consider the way you’re framing your mission, possibly even to adjust it. Obviously, you don’t want to lose your organisation’s core values, but being aware of broad trends can help you emphasise the activities and values that volunteers are looking for. Take a look at your mission statement to identify scenarios where your organisation currently isn’t emphasising what it’s already doing to reflect current trends.
Volunteers face several challenges that can impact their engagement and satisfaction. One significant issue is the need for quicker entry processes, particularly among younger demographics. Over a third of volunteers aged 18-24 feel that the entry process could be quicker, highlighting the importance of streamlined onboarding procedures.
Additionally, dissatisfaction among specific demographics, such as disabled volunteers, points to underutilised skills and room for improvement in many organisations. 19% of disabled volunteers felt their skills were underused, compared to 11% of non-disabled volunteers. In Scotland, disabled volunteers were even less likely to have undertaken any type of volunteering (43% compared to 46%).
Naturally, this is not a problem to be taken lightly, nor one solved easily. Once you’re aware of it, though, you can act as an example by not just claiming inclusivity but demonstrating it. For instance, with Rosterfy’s onboarding features, you can conveniently track every volunteer's unique profile and skills as well as event participation. That way, you can ensure that even a particularly shy volunteer who may physically struggle with certain activities isn’t overlooked but celebrated for their contribution.
No matter the tools you choose, these challenges present opportunities for improvement in volunteer management. By addressing entry process inefficiencies and ensuring that all volunteers' skills are fully utilised, organisations can enhance volunteer satisfaction and retention. Tailoring volunteer roles to meet the unique needs and preferences of different demographics can also foster a more inclusive and effective volunteer workforce.
Volunteering offers significant psychological and social benefits, but even there, you can notice differences between various groups. Volunteers from ethnic minority groups, for example, report greater personal or health benefits from their activities, including improved well-being, mental health and stronger connections with their neighbourhoods.
Being aware of this fact can help volunteering organisations fine-tune their approach to volunteer engagement or personalised communication strategies. While you certainly don’t want to assume those benefits based on demographics alone, paying attention to those who are taking the lead will let you plan training programs and delegate responsibilities more effectively.
Key factors influencing volunteer satisfaction, according to a 2023 report, include recognition, a respectful and trustworthy culture and a feeling of belonging to a group. Organisations that prioritise these elements can create a more positive and fulfilling volunteer experience, leading to higher retention rates and greater impact. These outcomes require a fine-tuned strategy that respects the individual volunteer and tailors the volunteering experience to their personal preferences.
Despite the benefits, burnout remains a significant problem for most organisations. For the past eight years, volunteer managers have cited recruitment as their greatest challenge, adding to stress levels during day-to-day planning. In Canada, 50.8% of charities expressed high concern about staff burnout, and 57% reported being unable to meet the current demand for services. Addressing burnout through supportive management practices and realistic workload expectations is crucial for maintaining a sustainable volunteer workforce.
Corporate volunteering not only benefits communities but also enhances business outcomes. A study found that 85% of employees agree that business engagement in charitable activities increases their trust in the organisation. Moreover, team volunteering opportunities significantly boost employee participation rates, averaging 7.5 times higher compared to companies without these opportunities.
Engaging employees in volunteering activities fosters a positive work environment, enhances employee satisfaction and strengthens team cohesion. Businesses that actively involve their employees in charitable initiatives can build a more engaged and motivated workforce, ultimately benefiting their bottom line.
The future of volunteering is poised for transformation, driven by ongoing shifts toward more personalised and impactful experiences. As volunteer demographics continue to evolve, organisations must adapt their strategies to meet the changing needs and preferences of volunteers.
Technological integration plays a crucial role in enhancing volunteer management. Platforms like Rosterfy offer advanced tools for better management and engagement, streamlining processes and improving the overall volunteer experience. By leveraging technology, organisations can optimise their operations and maximise their impact.
Volunteering remains a vital component of societal well-being, offering numerous benefits to individuals and communities alike. Understanding the key trends and demographics of volunteering allows organisations to develop more effective strategies, address challenges and seize opportunities for growth. As we look to the future, the integration of technology and a focus on personalised volunteer experiences will be pivotal in shaping the next generation of volunteers.
To explore how Rosterfy can enhance your volunteer management efforts, book a demo now.
Rosterfy is used by nonprofits, charities, sporting federations, local governments, and more to better manage their volunteer programs by improving how they can recruit, screen, train, and retain volunteers.
Our market leading technology helps you create an engaging experience throughout the whole lifecycle of your volunteer journey.
Book a call today.
Read more helpful articles on our blog:
A breakdown of our findings and what they reveal about the motivations and preferences of volunteers across different demographics.
Embrace the adventure and let the spirit of volunteerism in Canada guide you toward a more fulfilling and impactful life.
Wherever you are in your volunteering journey, discover the skills that help volunteers and organisations make a real and lasting difference.