2007

THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING

n n n A REVIEW OF RECENT RESEARCH n n n
Authors

From the Office of Research and Policy Development, 

Corporation for National and Community Service

Robert Grimm, Jr., Director & Senior Counsel to the CEO 

Kimberly Spring, Policy Analyst 

Nathan Dietz, Research Associate and Statistician

The suggested citation is: Corporation for National and Community Service, Office of Research and Policy 

Development. The Health Benefits of Volunteering: A Review of Recent Research, Washington, DC 2007. 

The mission of the Corporation for National and Community Service is to improve 

lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and 

volunteering. Each year, the Corporation provides opportunities for approximately 

2 million Americans of all ages and backgrounds to serve their communities and 

country through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America. 

1201 New York Avenue, NW 

Washington, DC 20525 

(202) 606-5000 • TTY: (202) 606-3472 

info@cns.gov • www.nationalservice.gov

Upon request, this material will be made available in alternative formats for people with disabilities.

April 2007
 THE HEALTH BENEFITS 

OF VOLUNTEERING

Introduction 

Volunteering has long been a common ethic in the United States, with people each year giving their time 

without any expectation of compensation. While these volunteer activities may be performed with the core 

intention of helping others, there is also a common wisdom that those who give of themselves also receive. 

Researchers have attempted to measure the benefits that volunteers receive, including the positive feeling 

referred to as “helper’s high,” increased trust in others, and increased social and political participation. 

Over the past two decades we have seen a growing 

body of research that indicates volunteering 

provides individual health benefits in addition 

to social benefits. This research has established 

a strong relationship between volunteering and 

health: those who volunteer have lower mortality 

rates, greater functional ability, and lower rates 

of depression later in life than those who do not 

volunteer. Comparisons of the health benefits of 

volunteering for different age groups have also 

shown that older volunteers are the most likely 

to receive greater benefits from volunteering, 

whether because they are more likely to face 

higher incidence of illness or because volunteering 

provides them with physical and social activity and 

a sense of purpose at a time when their social roles 

are changing. Some of these findings also indicate 

that volunteers who devote a “considerable” 

amount of time to volunteer activities (about 100 

hours per year) are most likely to exhibit positive 

health outcomes.

These findings are particularly relevant today as Baby Boomers—the generation of 77 million Americans 

born between 1946 and 1964— reach the age typically associated with retirement. Based on U.S. Census 

data, the numbers of volunteers age 65 and older should increase 50 percent over the next 13 years, from 

just under 9 million in 2007 to more than 13 million in 2020. What’s more, that number can be expected to 

rise for many years to come, as the youngest Baby Boomers will not reach age 65 until 2029. 

Research demonstrates that 

volunteering leads to better health 

and that older volunteers are the 

most likely to receive physical and 

mental health benefits from their 

volunteer activities.
THE HEALTH BENEFITS 

OF VOLUNTEERING

As we have pointed out in two recent reports, Keeping Baby Boomers Volunteering: A Research Brief on 

Volunteer Retention and Turnover and Volunteer Growth in America: A Review of Trends Since 1974, 

Baby Boomers in their late 40s to mid-50s are volunteering at a higher rate than earlier generations 

did at the same age.1

 At the same time, we see that the more hours per year that Boomers spend on 

volunteer activities, the more likely they are to continue to volunteer from year to year. Baby Boomers are 

a highly talented and motivated group who can help solve some of our most challenging social problems, 

including helping seniors live independently. However, the findings regarding the health benefits of 

volunteering indicate that attention should also be given to the strong possibility that the very act of 

volunteering may allow 

individuals to maintain 

their independence as 

they grow older and will 

likely face increased health 

challenges. 

 The following report 

documents some of the 

major findings from 

studies that look at the 

relationship between 

health and volunteering, 

with particular emphasis 

on those studies that seek 

to determine the causal 

relationship between 

these two factors. These studies ask whether volunteering actually leads to improved health, or simply that 

healthy individuals are more likely to volunteer. While it is undoubtedly the case that better health leads to 

continued volunteering, these studies demonstrate that volunteering also leads to improved physical and 

mental health. Thus they are part of a self-reinforcing cycle.

1 Both reports, Keeping Baby Boomers Volunteering and Volunteer Growth in America, can be downloaded at the Corporation’s website: 

www.nationalservice.gov.
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The Benefits of Giving Through Service to Others

Research on the benefits of volunteering tends to focus on measuring the benefit of the volunteer activities 

on the health of the community, as well as the relationship between volunteering and other forms of social 

capital or civic engagement. For example, researchers seek to evaluate the effects of volunteering on social 

services, or they ask whether volunteering contributes to greater levels of trust and norms of reciprocity in 

a community. In essence, the focus of this research has been about understanding how activities such as 

volunteering, strengthen the community and improve the lives of beneficiaries. 

However, recent studies on the relationship between health and volunteering demonstrate that the benefits 

of volunteering are not limited to the recipients of the volunteer services. (Dulin and Hill, 2003; Brown et 

al., 2005; Brown et al., 2003; Liang et al., 2001; Morrow-Howell et al., 2003; Midlarsky and Kahana, 1994; 

and Schwartz et al., 2003) In fact, these studies show the benefits derived from serving. Those who give 

support through volunteering experience greater health benefits than those who receive support through 

these activities.2

 

For example:

n The results of a survey of a large, ethnically diverse sample of older adults showed no association 

between receiving social support and improved health; however, the study did find that those 

who gave social support to others had lower rates of mortality than those who did not, even 

when controlling for socioeconomic status, education, marital status, age, gender, and ethnicity. 

(Brown et al., 2005)

n A longitudinal study of older married adults found that those individuals who reported 

providing instrumental support to friends, relatives, and neighbors had lower rates of mortality 

five years later than those who had not reported providing support. In addition, providing 

support was found to have a stronger relationship with longevity than receiving support from 

others. (Brown et al., 2003) 

2 For summaries of the research on the relationship between altruistic activities, volunteering, and health benefits, see Post (2005) and 

Piliavan and Chang (1990). 
 Volunteering in america 

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Volunteering, Life Satisfaction, and Mental Health

Why might we see a connection between volunteer activities and longer and healthier lives? Evidence 

suggests that volunteering has a positive effect on social psychological factors, such as one’s sense of 

purpose. In turn, positive social psychological factors are correlated with lower risks of poor physical 

health. Volunteering may enhance a person’s social networks to buffer stress and reduce risk of disease.

This connection between volunteering, social psychological factors, and social networks has been captured 

by what has been termed “social integration theory,” or “role theory,” which holds that an individual’s social 

connections, typically measured by the number of social roles that an individual has, can provide meaning 

and purpose to his or her life, while protecting him or her from isolation in difficult periods. However, 

research also suggests that volunteer activities offer those who serve more than just a social network to 

provide support and alleviate stress; volunteering also provides individuals with a sense of purpose and 

life satisfaction. In fact:

n A study of adults age 65 and older found that the positive effect of volunteering on physical and 

mental health is due to the personal sense of accomplishment that an individual gains from his 

or her volunteer activities. (Herzog et al., 1998) 

n Volunteering can provide a sense of purpose, as found in a study of older adults; according to 

this study, formal volunteering moderated the loss of a sense of purpose among older adults who 

had experienced the loss of major role identities, such as wage-earner and parent. (Greenfield 

and Marks, 2004)

n A study of older adults found that participation in 

community service was more strongly correlated with life 

satisfaction for retirees than for those individuals who 

continued to work for pay. (Harlow and Cantor, 1996)

In addition, an analysis of the Americans’ Changing Lives data set 

by Musick and Wilson explored the possible effect of volunteering 

on depression by comparing the volunteering habits of individuals 

in 1986 and differences in the level of depression between 1986 

and 1994.3

 Controlling for other forms of social interaction, the 

3 For the study, depression was measured using an edited version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. 

Volunteer activities can 

strengthen the social ties 

that protect individuals 

from isolation during 

difficult times, while the 

experience of helping others 

leads to a sense of greater 

self-worth and trust.
 Volunteering in america 

2007

THE HEALTH BENEFITS 

OF VOLUNTEERING

researchers found statistically significant, positive relationships between volunteering and lower levels of 

depression. While the analysis found no relationship between depression and volunteering for respondents 

under the age of 65, volunteering leads to lower rates of depression for individuals 65 and older.

Does Age Matter?

The majority of studies on the relationship between health and volunteering have focused on older 

individuals, a population particularly vulnerable to illness and depression. While this focus is, in part, 

related to the practical efforts to identify those activities that effectively allow individuals to live longer, 

independent, and healthy lives, some research also indicates that age does matter when it comes to the 

positive effects of volunteering on physical and mental health.

Some researchers hypothesize that younger 

volunteers may not experience the same 

benefits from volunteering because of the 

greater likelihood that their volunteering may 

be, in some sense, obligatory (e.g., tied to other 

responsibilities, such as parenting). In contrast, 

the volunteer activities of older persons are more 

likely to be discretionary and provide them with 

a purposeful role in their community; for these 

reasons, the experience of volunteering is more 

likely to be beneficial to them. At the same time, 

younger adults are less likely to experience ill 

health, thereby making it difficult for studies to 

measure quantifiable changes in health. 

Two analyses of longitudinal data from the 

Americans’ Changing Lives survey demonstrate 

that older adults receive greater health benefits 

from volunteering than younger volunteers:

Older individuals who volunteer 

demonstrate greater health benefits 

than do younger volunteers, due 

in part to the fact that volunteer 

activities by older individuals are 

more likely to provide them with a 

purposeful social role.
 Volunteering in america 

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THE HEALTH BENEFITS 

OF VOLUNTEERING

n One study found that 

volunteering among older 

adults (age 60 and over) 

provided benefits to both 

physical and mental health, 

while similar correlations 

were not found for mid-life 

adults who volunteer. The 

analysis also found that while 

depression is a barrier to 

volunteer participation in 

mid-life adults, it serves as 

a catalyst for volunteering 

among older adults, who may 

seek to compensate for role 

losses and attenuated social relations that occur with aging. (Li and Ferraro, 2006) 

n A second study found that, in general, volunteers report greater life satisfaction and better 

physical health than do non-volunteers, and their life satisfaction and physical health improves 

at a greater rate as a result of volunteering. At the same time, older volunteers experience greater 

increases in life satisfaction and greater positive changes in their perceived health as a result of 

their volunteer activities than do younger volunteers. (Van Willigen, 2000)

Volunteering and Physical Well-being

It is the case that physical and mental health can be both a benefit of and a barrier to volunteering–that is, 

while volunteering may bring benefits to an individual’s well-being, poor health may limit an individual’s 

ability to engage in volunteer activities. A study of data from the Americans’ Changing Lives survey found 

that those who volunteered in 1986 reported higher levels of happiness, life-satisfaction, self-esteem, a 

sense of control over life, and physical health, as well as lower levels of depression, in 1989. Similarly, those 

in 1986 who reported higher levels of happiness, life-satisfaction, self-esteem, a sense of control over life, 

and physical health, as well as lower levels of depression, were more likely to volunteer in 1989. (Thoits and 

Hewitt, 2001)
Volunteering in america 

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THE HEALTH BENEFITS 

OF VOLUNTEERING

4 Functional ability includes the ability to do the following without help: go out to a movie, attend church or a meeting, or visit friends; walk up 

and down stairs; walk half a mile; do heavy work around the house.

5 The study also found that membership in voluntary associations, as distinct from volunteer activities, had a significant positive effect on 

all three of the study’s health indicators (longevity/duration of good health, functional ability, and subjective health appraisal). However, 

membership and volunteering, while correlated, were not confounding factors. 

Evidence indicates that those who volunteer at an earlier stage are 

less likely to suffer from ill health later in life, thereby offering up the 

possibility that the best way to prevent poor health in the future, which 

could be a barrier to volunteering, is to volunteer. For example: 

n Data from interviews conducted in 1956 and 1986 of a group 

of women in an upstate New York community found that 

those women who had volunteered on an intermittent basis 

from the time that they married until the age of 55 scored 

higher on functional ability in 1986 than those who had 

not;4

 this finding was significant even when controlling for socioeconomic status and previous 

illness. Those who had volunteered were more likely to occupy multiple roles in later years, 

indicating greater social integration. At the same time, a negative relation was found between 

health and paid work and caregiving. The researchers for this study posit that these outcomes 

may be due to the degree of autonomy that the women had in engaging in different activities: 

while volunteering was typically a discretionary activity, caregiving and paid employment were 

generally required of them.5

 (Moen et al., 1992)

n According to an analysis of longitudinal data from the Assets and Health Dynamics Among the 

Oldest Old Study, adults over the age of 70 who volunteered at least 100 hours during 1993 had 

less of a decline in self-reported health and functioning levels and lower levels of depression and 

mortality in 2000 than those who did not volunteer. (Lum and Lightfoot, 2005) 

n A second study of the Assets and Health Dynamics Among the Oldest Old Study also found 

a correlation between volunteering in 1998 and better health and lower mortality rates in 

2000 among those individuals born before 1923, even when controlling for previous health 

conditions. Those who volunteered for at least 100 hours per year were two-thirds as likely as 

non-volunteers to report bad health, and also one-third as likely to die. (Luoh and Herzog, 2002)

Those who engage in 

volunteer activities are 

less likely to suffer from 

ill health later in life and 

may be introduced into 

a positive reinforcing 

cycle of good health and 

future volunteering.
 Volunteering in america 

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THE HEALTH BENEFITS 

OF VOLUNTEERING

n A study of the longitudinal data from the Americans’ Changing Lives survey found a positive 

relationship between volunteering activities and better health outcomes among adults over 

the age of 60, including higher levels of self-reported health and physical functioning, and 

lower levels of depression. These findings held even when controlling for other factors, such as 

informal social integration, race, and gender. (Morrow-Howell et al., 2003) 

Volunteering, Mortality, and Illness

A number of studies have used longitudinal data to examine specifically the relationship between 

volunteering and mortality rates. To do this, they look at the presence of volunteer activities at one point 

in time and the rate of mortality at a later point in time. Consistently, these studies have found that those 

individuals who volunteer during the first wave of the survey have 

lower mortality rates at the second wave of the survey.

Among these studies, the following results were found:

n An analysis of data from the Longitudinal Study of 

Aging found that those individuals who volunteer have 

lower mortality rates than those who do not, even when 

controlling for physical health. According to the study, 

the 16 percent of respondents 70 years or older, who had volunteered in 1984 were less likely to 

have died by 1988 than those who had not volunteered. Further analysis also indicated that the 

positive effect of volunteering was stronger for those in good health in 1984. (Sabin, 1993)

n Controlling for other factors, such as age, marital status, education, and gender, respondents to 

the National Health Interview Survey who volunteered in 1983 were considerably more likely to 

still be alive in 1991: while 21.5 percent of those alive in 1991 had volunteered in 1983, only 12 

percent of those who had died by 1991 had been volunteers in 1983.6

 (Rogers, 1996)

Even when controlling 

for other factors such as 

age, health, and gender, 

research has found 

that when individuals 

volunteer, they are more 

likely to live longer.

6

 All respondents to the National Health Interview Survey were age 55 or older.
 Volunteering in america 

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THE HEALTH BENEFITS 

OF VOLUNTEERING

n Using the Americans’ Changing Lives survey, one study found that when respondents from a 

subgroup in 1986 volunteered, they had a lower mortality rate in 1994, even after adjustments 

for age, gender, race, and socio-economic status. In addition, those respondents with low levels 

of informal social interaction most benefited from volunteering. (Musick et al., 1999)

Several studies have also looked specifically 

at the effects of volunteering on those with 

chronic or serious illness. These studies have 

found that when these patients volunteer, 

they receive benefits beyond what can be 

achieved through medical care. 

For example:

n Those individuals suffering from 

chronic pain experienced declines 

in their pain intensity and 

decreased levels of disability and 

depression when they began to 

serve as peer volunteers for others 

also suffering from chronic pain. 

(Arnstein et al., 2002)

n According to a Duke study of individuals with post-coronary artery disease, those individuals 

who volunteered after their heart attack reported reductions in despair and depression, two 

factors that have been linked to an increased likelihood of mortality in this type of patient. In 

addition, these individuals reported a greater sense of purpose in their lives. (Sullivan and 

Sullivan, 1997)
10 Volunteering in america 

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THE HEALTH BENEFITS 

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The “Volunteering Threshold”

A number of studies have sought to identify whether the amount or type of volunteering in which an 

individual engages might affect the health benefits from the volunteer activities. These studies indicate 

that there is not a linear relationship between the amount of 

volunteering and health benefits; in other words, it is not the 

case that the more an individual volunteers, the greater the 

health benefits. Instead, there appears to be a “volunteering 

threshold”–that is, these studies have identified a certain 

amount of volunteer activities necessary for health benefits 

to be derived from the activities. Once that threshold is met, no 

additional health benefits are acquired by volunteering more.

For example: 

n In examining the volunteer habits of individuals from four age groups (55-64, 65-74, 75-84, and 

85 and older), one study looked for predictors of mortality five years later based on the frequency 

of volunteering. The study found that those who volunteered with two or more organizations 

experienced 44 percent lower mortality 

rates over a five-year period than those 

elderly persons who did not volunteer, even 

after adjusting for other factors such as age, 

health habits, and social support. Indeed, 

volunteering was found to contribute more 

to lower mortality rates than high religious 

involvement or perceived social support. 

(Oman et al., 1999)

Individuals must meet a 

“volunteering threshold” in 

order to receive the positive 

health outcomes from 

volunteering; that is, they 

need to commit a considerable 

amount of time–or at least 

one or two hours a week–to 

volunteer activities.
11 Volunteering in america 

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THE HEALTH BENEFITS 

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n Two studies of data collected through the Assets and Health Dynamics Among the Oldest Old 

Survey both found that the volunteering threshold is 100 hours per year, or about two hours a 

week. Typically, no or little relationship was found between volunteering and positive health 

outcomes when an individual engaged in less than 100 hours per year. There did not appear to be 

any additional benefits to health as the number of volunteer hours increased beyond 100 hours. 

(Lum and Lightfoot, 2005 and Luoh and Herzog, 2002) 

n A study of the Americans’ Changing Lives survey found a more moderate level of volunteering was 

necessary for health benefits. Those individuals who volunteered at least 40 hours per year, as well 

as those who volunteered with just one organization, or group, had the lowest risk of mortality.7

 

(Musick et al., 1999)

State Volunteer Rates and Physical Well-being

The studies discussed so far suggest that volunteers are more likely than those who do not volunteer to 

experience positive health benefits. In fact, serving others may increase longevity, lead to greater functional 

ability later in life, and strengthen one’s resilience when dealing with health problems. With these findings 

in mind, we conducted a state-level analysis of the relationship between volunteering and to indicators of 

health: mortality and heart disease. 

Using health and volunteering data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the 

Center for Disease Control, we find that states with a high volunteer rate 

also have lower rates of mortality and incidences of heart disease. Charts 

1 and 2 illustrate this relationship: the line on each chart represents the 

general trend, which is for health problems to be more prevalent in states 

where volunteer rates are lowest. These state-level findings parallel those of 

noted sociologist and Harvard University professor Robert Putnam, who found a strong correlation 

between the level of social capital and measures of good health in his widely acclaimed book, Bowling 

Alone. When put in the context of the other findings presented above, the correlations presented here 

suggest that state policies designed to increase volunteering may serve to enhance the mental and physical 

well-being of the state’s residents. 

States with higher 

volunteer rates are 

more likely to have 

lower mortality rates 

and less incidence of 

heart disease.

7 A study by Schwartz et al. (2003) raises the possibility that too much volunteering may have a negative effect on individuals. The study found 

that the positive benefits of volunteering were reduced, or even erased, when individuals are overwhelmed by responsibilities. 

8

 The state volunteer rates used in the Figures were calculated from the 2004-2006 September Volunteer Supplements to the Current 

Population Survey (CPS). Age-adjusted mortality and heart disease rates were taken from National Vital Statistics Reports, Vol. 54 No. 

13, April 19, 2006, Table 29, available at: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/pdf/mortality/nvsr54_13_t29.pdf.
12 Volunteering in america 

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THE HEALTH BENEFITS 

OF VOLUNTEERING

10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

600

700

800

900

1000

1100

HI

MN

UT

KS MTAK

DE VA MI WY

NC

AR GA

MS AL

TNWV

KYOK DC

SC

MOOHIN

LA

NM

OR

CO WA

IDSD

WI VTNDIA

CA

MA

CT

NH

NJ AZRI

NY

FL

NV

10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

150

200

250

300

350

HI

MN

UT

NE

AK

KS

MEWY

MI

VA

IL

PA

MD TX

AR

GA

MS

AL

TN

WV

KY

OK

DC

SC

MO

OH IN

LA

NM

OR CO

WA

ID

SD IA

CA

MA CT

NJ

AZ

RI

NY

FL

NV

Volunteer Rate (2006)

Volunteer Rate (2006)

Mortality Rate Heart Disease Rate

LINEAR REGRESSION

LINEAR REGRESSION

DE

NC

WI

NH

MT

VTND

TX

IL

MD PA

ME

NE

2006 Volunteer Rate vs. Age-adjusted Mortality Rate

2006 Volunteer Rate vs. Age-adjusted Incidence Of Heart Disease
13 Volunteering in america 

2007

THE HEALTH BENEFITS 

OF VOLUNTEERING

Conclusion

This report summarizes the impressive findings from a number of studies that have explored the 

relationship between volunteering and health. While these studies may differ in terms of their specific 

findings, they consistently demonstrate that there is a significant relationship between volunteering and 

good health; when individuals volunteer, they not only help their community but also experience better 

health in later years, whether in terms of greater longevity, higher functional ability, or lower rates of 

depression. In addition, 

we present first-time 

evidence that when a state 

has high volunteer rates, 

they are more likely to have 

greater longevity and less 

incidence of heart disease. 

Given the sheer size of the 

Baby Boomer population 

and the fact that the oldest 

Boomers are just entering 

their 60s, this research on 

the relationship between 

volunteering and health 

deserves a high degree of 

attention. Of particular 

importance are the findings 

regarding the “volunteering 

threshold,” which indicates that in order for older volunteers to experience significant benefits from 

their volunteering activities, their level of commitment to these activities needs to be considerable, or, 

on average, one or two hours a week. If we engage Baby Boomers and others in substantial volunteer 

experiences, we may not only help solve community problems, but simultaneously enhance the health of 

the growing number of older adults.
14 THE HEALTH BENEFITS 

OF VOLUNTEERING

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of Altruism.” Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 11(3): 43–52.

Thoits, P.A. and Hewitt, L.N. (2001) “Volunteer Work and Well-Being.” Journal of Health and Social 

Behavior, 42(2): 115-131.

Van Willigen, M. (2000) “Differential Benefits of Volunteering Across the Life Course.” The Journals of 

Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 55B(5): S308-S318.

Wilson, J. (2000) “Volunteering.” Annual Review of Sociology, 26: 215-240.
Related Research Reports on Volunteering

Volunteering in America: 2007 State Trends and Rankings in Civic Life (2007). Presents a national, regional, 

and state-by-state analysis of volunteering trends and civic life, and provides state rankings for key 

measures of volunteering and civic life.

Volunteering in America: State Trends and Rankings (2006). Presents a national, regional, and state-by-state 

analysis of volunteering trends, and provides state rankings for key measures of volunteering.

Other Research Reports

Youth Helping America Series. Leveling the Path to Participation: Volunteering and Civic Engagement 

Among Youth from Disadvantaged Circumstances (2007). Examines the attitudes and behaviors of young 

people from disadvantaged circumstances including volunteering and other forms of civic engagement. 

Keeping Baby Boomers Volunteering (2007). Describes volunteering trends for Baby Boomers and 

projections for older adults. Also provides strategies to harness Baby Boomer’s experience and energy 

and identifies the factors likely to impact their decision to volunteer.

Volunteer Growth in America: A Review of Trends Since 1974 (2006). Provides an in-depth look at volunteering 

over the past 30 years, with particular attention paid to changing historical volunteer patterns by select age groups.

College Students Helping America (2006). Identifies key trends in volunteering among college students, 

discusses future implications for volunteering given the changing college environment, and provides state 

rankings for volunteering among college students.

Volunteers Mentoring Youth: Implications for Closing the Mentoring Gap (2006). Provides a greater 

understanding of the characteristics and traits that distinguish individuals whose volunteering includes 

mentoring youth from volunteers who do not mentor.

Youth Helping America Series. Educating for Active Citizens: Service-Learning, School-Based Service, and 

Youth Civic Engagement (2006). Takes a closer look at youth participation in school-based service and the 

relationship between different service-learning experiences and civic attitudes and outcomes.

Youth Helping America Series. Building Active Citizens: The Role of Social Institutions in Teen Volunteering 

(2005). Explores the state of youth volunteering and the connections to the primary social institutions to 

which youth are exposed – family, schools, and religious congregations.

Volunteer Management Capacity Study (2003). Explores various issues around volunteer management, 

recruitment, and ways to improve volunteer management capacity.

To read or download our reports, visit www.nationalservice.gov
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