How Americans Spend Their Time - Volunteer Work

Many Americans spend their leisure time in volunteer work helping others. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) survey Volunteering in the United States 2003 found that 63.8 million people did volunteer work of some type between September 2002 and September 2003, up from 59.8 million a year earlier. During the same period the rate of Americans volunteering rose from 27.4% of those age sixteen or older to 28.8%. The median number of hours a volunteer gave during the year was fifty-two. (See Table 1.12.)

Who Volunteers?

The BLS survey found that women were more likely to volunteer, with 32.2% of females over sixteen giving their time compared with 25.1% of men. Americans between the ages of thirty-five and forty-four volunteered the most, at 34.7%, followed by forty-five- to fifty-four- year-olds at 32.7%. Those ages sixty-five and older were least likely to volunteer, at 23.7%, but senior citizens who

TABLE 1.12

Volunteers, by selected characteristics, September 2002 and 2003
(Numbers in thousands)
	September 2002r			September 2003
Characteristic	Number	Percent of population	Median annual hours	Number	Percent of population	Median annual hours
1Beginning in 2003, persons who selected this race group only; persons who selected more than one race group are not included. Prior to 2003, persons who reported more than one race group were in the group they identified as the main race.
2Data for Asians were not tabulated in 2002.
3Data refer to persons 25 years and over.
4Includes high school diploma or equivalent.
5Includes the categories, some college, no degree; and associate degree.
6Usually work 35 hours or more a week at all jobs.
7Usually work less than 35 hours a week at all jobs.
r = revised. Estimates for 2002 have been revised to reflect the use of Census 2000-based population controls.
Note: 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. In addition, persons whose ethnicity is identified as Hispanic or Latino maybe of any race and, therefore, are classified by ethnicity as well as by race.
SOURCE: "Table A. Volunteers by Selected Characteristics, September 2002 and 2003," in Volunteering in the United States, 2003, U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, December 17, 2003, http://stats.bls.gov/news.release/archives/volun_12172003.pdf (accessed September 9, 2004)
Sex
Total, both sexes	59,783	27.4	52	63,791	28.8	52
Men	24,706	23.6	52	26,805	25.1	52
Women	35,076	31.0	50	36,987	32.2	52
Age
Total, 16 years and over	59,783	27.4	52	63,791	28.8	52
16 to 24 years	7,742	21.9	40	8,671	24.1	40
25 to 34 years	9,574	24.8	33	10,337	26.5	36
35 to 44 years	14,971	34.1	52	15,165	34.7	50
45 to 54 years	12, 477	31.3	52	13,302	32.7	52
55 to 64 years	7,331	27.5	60	8,170	29.2	60
65 years and over	7,687	22.7	96	8,146	23.7	88
Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity
White1	52,591	29.2	52	55,572	30.6	52
Black or African American1	4,896	19.1	52	5,145	20.0	52
Asian1	2	2	2	1,735	18.7	40
Hispanic or Latino ethnicity	4,059	15.5	40	4,364	15.7	40
Educational attainment3
Less than a high school diploma	2,806	10.1	48	2,793	9.9	48
High school graduate, no college4	12,542	21.2	49	12,882	21.7	48
Less than a bachelor's degree5	15, 066	32.8	52	15,966	34.1	52
College graduates	21,627	43.3	60	23,481	45.6	60
Employment status
Civilian labor force	42,773	29.3	48	45,499	30.9	48
Employed	40,742	29.5	48	43,138	31.2	48
Full time6	32,210	28.3	46	33,599	29.6	48
Part time7	8,532	35.4	52	9,539	38.4	52
Unemployed	2,031	25.1	50	2,361	26.7	48
Not in the labor force	17,010	23.7	72	18,293	24.6	66

did participate gave more of their time, putting in a median number of eighty-eight hours in 2003.

Among ethnic groups in 2003, volunteer work was performed by 30.6% of whites, 20% of African-Americans, 18.7% of Asians, and 15.7% of Hispanic Americans. Educational attainment was a significant predictor of volunteer status, with 45.6% of college graduates participating, as compared to 9.9% of those who did not graduate from high school. Job status was also important, with 31.2% of employees giving of their time contrasted with 26.7% of those unemployed. The largest percentage of volunteers came from those working part-time, at 38.4%.

The BLS found that the leading reason volunteers became involved in 2003 was that they had been asked (43.6%), while slightly more than two-fifths (40.7%) approached the organization themselves. These figures held relatively constant between men and women and among the various economic and ethnic groups, although Asians were more likely to approach an organization about joining (48.2%) and less likely to have joined because they were asked (38.7%). (See Table 1.13.) When volunteers stopped participating, the reasons they cited most were lack of time (44.7%), health or medical problems (14.7%), and family responsibilities or childcare problems (9.5%).

What Do Volunteers Do?

The BLS found that the most popular ways volunteers gave their time was working with religious groups

TABLE 1.13

Volunteers, by how they became involved with the volunteer organization and by selected characteristics, September 2003
		Percent distribution of how volunteers became involved with1
				Was asked by:
Characteristics in September 2003	Total volunteers (thousands)	Total	Approached the organization	Total2	Boss or employer	Relative, friend, or co-worker	Someone in the organization/school	Someone else	Other	Not reporting how became involved
1Main organization is defined as the organization for which the volunteer worked the most hours during the year.
2Includes persons who did not specify who asked them to volunteer, not shown separately.
3Data refer to persons 25 years and over.
4Includes high school diploma or equivalent.
5Includes the categories, some college, no degree; and associate degree.
6Includes divorced, separated, and widowed persons.
7Own children include sons, daughters, stepchildren, and adopted children. Not included are nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and other related and unrelated children.
8Usually work 35 hours or more a week at all jobs.
9Usually 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, 2002, through the survey period in September 2003. 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. In addition, persons whose ethnicity is identified as Hispanic or Latino may be of any race and, therefore, are classified by ethnicity as well as by race.
SOURCE: "Table 6. Volunteers by How They Became Involved with Main Organization for Which Volunteer Activities Were Performed and Selected Characteristics, September 2003," in Volunteering in the United States, 2003, United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, December 17, 2003, http://stats.bls.gov/news.release/archives/volun_12172003.pdf (accessed September 9, 2004)
Sex
Total, both sexes	63,791	100.0	40.7	43.6	1.2	14.4	26.8	1.0	13.4	2.3
Men	26,805	100.0	40.6	44.3	1.2	15.9	26.0	1.1	12.8	2.3
Women	36,987	100.0	40.9	43.0	1.1	13.3	27.4	1.0	13.8	2.3
Age
Total, 16 years and over	63,791	100.0	40.7	43.6	1.2	14.4	26.8	1.0	13.4	2.3
16 to 24 years	8,671	100.0	41.8	41.8	1.0	16.6	22.5	1.5	13.8	2.7
16 to 19 years	4,758	100.0	41.7	41.4	.4	16.3	23.1	1.5	14.7	2.2
20 to 24 years	3,912	100.0	41.8	42.2	1.8	16.9	21.7	1.4	12.7	3.3
25 years and over	55,121	100.0	40.6	43.8	1.2	14.0	27.5	1.0	13.4	2.2
25 to 34 years	10,337	100.0	39.3	44.3	1.7	14.9	26.4	1.2	14.3	2.1
35 to 44 years	15,165	100.0	41.0	44.2	1.4	13.0	28.9	.8	12.6	2.1
45 to 54 years	13,302	100.0	40.6	43.6	1.2	13.7	27.7	.7	13.3	2.5
55 to 64 years	8,170	100.0	40.3	43.2	1.1	14.4	26.2	1.1	14.3	2.3
65 years and over	8,146	100.0	41.7	43.7	.2	14.8	27.4	1.2	12.6	2.1
Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity
White	55,572	100.0	40.8	43.8	1.1	14.4	27.1	1.0	13.2	2.2
Black or African-American	5,145	100.0	39.2	41.7	2.0	13.5	25.3	1.0	15.6	3.5
Asian	1,735	100.0	48.2	38.7	1.3	12.1	23.3	2.0	11.1	2.0
Hispanic or Latino ethnicity	4,364	100.0	38.2	46.8	1.1	15.6	29.1	.9	12.6	2.4
Educational attainment3
Less than a high school diploma	2,793	100.0	38.6	46.2	.4	15.5	29.4	.6	12.8	2.4
High school graduate, no college4	12,882	100.0	39.1	45.9	.9	15.4	28.6	.8	13.2	1.8
Less than a bachelor's degree5	15,966	100.0	40.9	42.7	1.3	13.7	26.3	1.2	14.2	2.2
College graduates	23,481	100.0	41.4	43.2	1.3	13.2	27.5	1.0	12.9	2.4
Marital status
Single, never married	13,670	100.0	41.0	41.4	1.3	16.9	21.6	1.4	14.5	3.0
Married, spouse present	40,486	100.0	40.9	44.4	1.1	13.2	29.0	.9	12.7	2.0
Other marital status6	9,635	100.0	39.8	43.0	1.4	15.5	25.1	.9	15.1	2.1
Presence of own children under 18 years7
Men
No own children under 18 years old	16,969	100.0	40.7	43.6	1.2	16.7	24.3	1.1	13.6	2.2
With own children under 18 years old	9,836	100.0	40.4	45.6	1.2	14.4	28.9	1.0	11.6	2.3
Women:
No own children under 18 years old	21,938	100.0	40.9	42.0	1.2	15.2	24.3	1.0	14.7	2.4
With own children under 18 years old	15,049	100.0	40.8	44.5	1.1	10.5	32.0	.9	12.6	2.1
Employment status
Civilian labor force	45,499	100.0	40.0	44.2	1.5	14.6	26.9	.9	13.6	2.3
Employed	43,138	100.0	39.9	44.2	1.6	14.6	27.0	.9	13.6	2.3
Full time8	33,599	100.0	39.3	45.0	1.9	15.4	26.6	.8	13.3	2.4
Part time9	9,539	100.0	42.0	41.6	.6	11.5	28.2	1.2	14.5	1.9
Unemployed	2,361	100.0	40.4	43.7	1.0	15.6	25.4	1.4	13.7	2.2
Not in the labor force	18,293	100.0	42.7	41.9	.2	13.7	26.6	1.2	13.1	2.3

TABLE 1.14

Volunteers, by type of volunteer organization and by selected characteristics, September 2003
		Percent distribution of volunteers by type of main organization1
Characteristics in September 2003	Total volunteers (thousands)	Total	Civic, political, professional, or international	Educational or youth service	Environmental or animal care	Hospital or other health	Public safety	Religious	Social or community service	Sport, hobby, cultural, or arts	Other	Not determined
1Main organization is defined as the organization for which the volunteer worked the most hours during the year.
2Data refer to persons 25 years and over.
3Includes high school diploma or equivalent.
4Includes the categories, some college, no degree; and associate degree.
5Includes divorced, separated, and widowed persons.
6Own children include sons, daughters, stepchildren, and adopted children. Not included are nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and other related and unrelated children.
7Usually work 35 hours or more a week at all jobs.
8Usually 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, 2002, through the survey period in September 2003. 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. In addition, persons whose ethnicity is identified as Hispanic or Latino may be of any race and, therefore, are classified by ethnicity as well as by race.
SOURCE: "Table 4. Volunteers by Type of Main Organization for Which Volunteer Activities Were Performed and Selected Characteristics, September 2003," in Volunteering in the United States, 2003, United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, December 17, 2003, http://stats.bls.gov/news.release/archives/volun_12172003.pdf (accessed September 10, 2004)
Sex
Total, both sexes	63,791	100.00	6.4	27.4	1.7	8.2	1.2	34.6	11.8	4.1	3.1	1.5
Men	26,805	100.00	8.1	24.7	1.9	6.3	2.1	33.9	12.6	5.5	3.4	1.5
Women	36,987	100.00	5.2	29.3	1.5	9.6	.5	35.1	11.2	3.2	3.0	1.5
Age
Total, 16 years and over	63,791	100.00	6.4	27.4	1.7	8.2	1.2	34.6	11.8	4.1	3.1	1.5
16 to 24 years	8,671	100.00	4.6	31.9	2.4	8.6	1.3	29.1	13.4	4.0	3.0	1.7
16 to 19 years	4,758	100.00	4.0	35.5	2.0	6.5	1.2	29.8	13.0	3.7	2.6	1.7
20 to 24 years	3,912	100.00	5.4	27.5	2.9	11.2	1.5	28.3	13.8	4.3	3.5	1.8
25 years and over	55,121	100.00	6.7	26.7	1.6	8.1	1.2	35.4	11.5	4.2	3.2	1.5
25 to 34 years	10,337	100.00	5.3	35.1	1.7	8.4	1.6	29.7	10.7	3.3	2.8	1.4
35 to 44 years	15,165	100.00	5.3	38.5	1.3	5.8	1.2	31.5	8.8	3.9	2.4	1.3
45 to 54 years	13,302	100.00	6.3	27.2	2.1	8.0	1.2	35.3	10.6	4.5	3.2	1.5
55 to 64 years	8,170	100.00	9.8	13.5	1.8	9.4	1.0	39.1	14.5	4.7	4.4	1.8
65 years and over	8,146	100.00	8.4	6.4	.8	10.9	.7	46.5	16.3	4.5	3.8	1.6
Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity
White	55,572	100.00	6.5	27.3	1.7	8.4	1.3	33.7	11.9	4.3	3.3	1.5
Black or African-American	5,145	100.00	5.0	27.4	.4	5.9	.5	44.7	10.5	1.7	1.8	2.1
Asian	1,735	100.00	5.6	25.7	2.0	8.7	.4	38.0	10.5	5.2	3.5	.4
Hispanic or Latino ethnicity4	4,364	100.00	5.8	38.5	.7	5.5	.6	32.4	9.6	1.9	3.5	1.7
Educational attainment2
Less than a high school diploma	2,793	100.00	6.0	22.2	1.0	5.1	1.3	45.7	12.0	2.1	3.0	1.6
High school graduate, no college3	12,882	100.00	6.0	25.7	1.2	7.8	1.6	39.1	11.7	3.0	2.7	1.2
Less than a bachelor's degree4	15,966	100.00	6.0	27.3	1.4	8.5	1.6	35.5	10.9	4.1	3.4	1.3
College graduates	23,481	100.00	7.6	27.3	2.0	8.4	.6	32.2	11.9	5.0	3.3	1.8
Marital status
Single, never married	13,670	100.00	6.1	29.3	2.6	9.7	1.3	26.6	13.8	4.7	3.7	2.0
Married, spouse present	40,486	100.00	6.4	28.1	1.3	7.1	1.2	37.7	10.3	3.8	2.7	1.4
Other marital status5	9,635	100.00	6.9	21.7	2.0	10.5	.9	32.7	15.2	4.5	4.2	1.2
Presence of own children under 18 years6
Men:
No own children under 18 years old	16,969	100.00	9.6	18.2	2.3	7.4	2.0	34.3	15.0	5.3	4.2	1.7
With own children under 18 years old	9,836	100.00	5.6	36.1	1.1	4.2	2.3	33.2	8.4	5.8	2.1	1.3
Women:
No own children under 18 years old	21,938	100.00	6.4	17.0	2.2	12.8	.6	37.5	14.5	4.0	3.4	1.7
With own children under 18 years old	15,049	100.00	3.4	47.2	.6	4.8	.4	31.6	6.5	2.0	2.3	1.2
Employment status
Civilian labor force	45,499	100.00	6.5	29.1	1.8	8.1	1.4	33.1	11.2	4.4	3.0	1.5
Employed	43,138	100.00	6.6	28.8	1.8	8.1	1.4	33.2	11.2	4.4	3.0	1.5
Full time7	33,599	100.00	6.9	28.0	1.7	8.4	1.6	32.8	11.4	4.6	3.0	1.6
Part time8	9,539	100.00	5.4	31.7	1.9	7.2	.8	34.5	10.7	3.8	2.8	1.2
Unemployed	2,361	100.00	5.3	34.2	3.1	7.8	.5	31.2	10.6	3.4	3.0	.9
Not in the labor force	18,293	100.00	6.1	23.2	1.3	8.4	.7	38.2	13.3	3.5	3.6	1.7

(34.6%), educational or youth service organizations (27.4%), social or community service agencies (11.8%), and hospital or health organizations (8.2%). Fewer were involved with civic, political, professional, or international groups (6.4%); sport, hobby, cultural, or arts organizations (4.1%); environmental or animal care groups (1.7%); and public safety agencies (1.2%). (See Table 1.14.)

The BLS survey found that the most frequent activities performed by volunteers included fund-raising, done at some time by 28.8% of the total; coaching, refereeing, tutoring or teaching (28.6%); collecting, preparing distributing, or serving food (24.9%); providing information, ushering, greeting, or ministering (22%); or engaging in general labor (21.8%). (See Table 1.15.)

TABLE 1.15

Volunteer activities, by selected characteristics, September 2003
		Percent distribution of volunteer activities for main organization1
Characteristics in September 2003	Total volunteers (thousands)	Coach, referee, tutor, or teacher	Provide information; be an usher, greeter or minister	Collect, prepare, distribute, or serve food	Collect, make or distribute clothing, crafts, or goods, other than food	Fundraise or sell items to raise money	Provide counseling, medical care, fire/EMS or protective services	Supply trasporttation for people	Provide general office services	Provide professional or management assistance including serving on a board or committee	Engage in music performance, or other artistic activities	Engage in general labor	Other	Not reporting type of activities
Sex
Total, both sexes	63,791	28.6	22.0	24.9	15.1	28.8	8.4	12.6	13.1	19.1	12.1	21.8	16.0	1.7
Men	26,805	30.9	22.5	19.2	10.1	25.6	9.6	13.3	9.8	21.6	10.4	26.9	15.1	1.9
Women	36,987	26.9	21.7	28.9	18.8	31.2	7.5	12.1	15.4	17.3	13.2	18.1	16.7	1.6
Age
Total, 16 years and over	63,791	28.6	22.0	24.9	15.1	28.8	8.4	12.6	13.1	19.1	12.1	21.8	16.0	1.7
16 to 24 years	8,671	33.4	19.0	22.1	15.3	24.3	7.9	8.3	10.6	8.2	17.9	26.4	16.9	2.5
16 to 19 years	4,758	32.5	17.5	22.5	15.5	24.5	5.3	6.8	10.0	6.2	19.0	29.8	17.4	2.0
20 to 24 years	3,912	34.6	20.9	21.7	15.2	24.0	11.1	10.1	11.3	10.8	16.7	22.2	16.4	3.2
25 years and over	55,121	27.8	22.5	25.3	15.1	29.6	8.5	13.3	13.4	20.8	11.1	21.0	15.9	1.6
25 to 34 years	10,337	34.1	20.3	23.0	14.4	29.3	9.2	11.8	11.6	14.1	13.2	21.9	15.4	1.8
35 to 44 years	15,165	35.5	19.4	24.7	14.9	32.4	7.3	15.2	12.8	19.2	11.7	21.9	15.2	1.6
45 to 54 years	13,302	28.0	24.1	24.7	14.4	32.5	9.5	14.2	13.6	23.0	11.0	22.2	15.4	1.8
55 to 64 years	8,170	20.6	25.4	26.6	15.2	27.4	9.8	12.4	15.3	28.2	9.3	21.3	16.7	1.5
65 years and over	8,146	12.5	25.7	28.9	17.5	22.0	6.9	11.1	15.0	21.5	9.6	16.3	17.8	1.2
Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity
White	55,572	28.5	21.7	24.7	15.2	29.5	8.1	12.6	12.9	19.8	11.7	22.2	16.2	1.6
Black or African-American	5,145	30.8	27.5	26.7	16.0	23.8	11.0	14.1	14.6	14.8	15.0	17.6	12.5	3.3
Asian	1,735	24.8	17.3	22.4	10.5	23.6	8.1	8.9	13.2	13.7	10.5	17.7	21.3	1.1
Hispanic or Latino ethnicity	4,364	28.3	16.7	25.4	14.1	25.3	5.8	10.7	10.6	8.4	9.5	18.6	17.4	2.2
Educational attainment2
Less than a high school diploma	2,793	16.6	16.6	29.1	12.9	22.0	3.8	10.2	7.1	6.5	8.7	23.6	19.1	1.9
High school graduate, no college3	12,882	23.0	20.4	29.4	15.4	28.6	7.0	13.2	12.1	14.4	9.4	21.6	16.2	1.3
Less than a bachelor's degree4	15,966	27.8	22.9	26.1	16.5	29.9	8.8	14.9	14.1	18.5	11.8	23.1	17.0	1.6
College graduates	23,481	31.8	24.1	22.0	14.3	30.8	9.6	12.6	14.5	27.7	11.9	19.0	14.6	1.8
Marital status
Single, never married	13,670	29.5	19.4	21.2	13.6	24.9	8.6	8.4	11.8	11.4	15.3	23.6	16.9	2.5
Married, spouse present	40,486	30.0	22.9	25.4	15.4	30.8	8.6	14.2	13.4	22.5	11.3	22.0	15.0	1.5
Other marital status5	9,635	21.3	22.3	27.6	16.1	26.3	7.4	11.7	13.6	15.9	10.7	18.4	19.0	1.4

1Main organization is defined as the organization for which the volunteer worked the most hours during the year.
2Data refer to persons 25 years and over.
3Includes high school diploma or equivalent.
4Includes the categories, some college, no degree; and associate degree.
5Includes divorced, separated, and widowed persons.
6Own children include sons, daughters, stepchildren, and adopted children. Not included are nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and other related and unrelated children.
7Usually work 35 hours or more a week at all jobs.
8Usually 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, 2002, through the survey period in September 2003. 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. In addition, persons whose ethnicity is identified as Hispanic or Latino may be of any race and, therefore, are classified by ethnicity as well as by race. Detail will sum to greater than 100 percent because respondents could choose more than one activity.
SOURCE: "Table 5. Volunteer Activities for Main Organization for Which Activities Were Performed and Selected Characteristics, September 2003," in Volunteering in the United States, 2003, United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, December 17, 2003, http://stats.bls.gov/news.release/archives/volun_12172003.pdf (accessed September 10, 2004)
Presence of own children under 18 years6
Men:
No own children under 18 years old	16,969	24.0	23.2	19.6	10.4	24.3	9.6	11.4	10.3	21.7	10.8	27.1	16.7	2.0
With own children under 18 years old	9,836	42.9	21.4	18.5	9.7	28.0	9.6	16.7	9.0	21.6	9.8	26.4	12.3	1.7
Women:
No own children under 18 years old	21,938	22.0	23.7	28.2	18.0	27.1	8.5	9.6	15.5	17.8	12.9	17.8	16.7	1.7
With own children under 18 years old	15,049	34.1	18.8	30.1	19.8	37.2	6.1	15.7	15.2	16.6	13.8	18.5	16.8	1.5
Employment status
Civilian labor force	45,499	31.0	22.4	23.7	14.2	30.3	9.1	13.2	12.4	20.3	12.1	22.5	15.3	1.6
Employed	43,138	31.0	22.5	23.5	14.1	30.7	9.2	13.4	12.3	20.7	12.0	22.5	15.2	1.7
Full time7	33,599	30.6	22.6	22.8	13.4	31.2	9.4	13.3	11.7	21.9	11.1	22.7	14.9	1.7
Part time8	9,539	32.3	22.5	25.8	16.6	29.0	8.6	13.6	14.7	16.8	15.2	21.9	16.2	1.5
Unemployed	2,361	31.4	20.5	26.2	15.1	23.1	7.0	10.6	13.3	12.6	13.8	22.9	16.9	1.4
Not in the labor force	18,293	22.5	21.0	27.8	17.6	25.2	6.7	11.0	14.7	16.2	12.0	19.8	17.9	1.9