2

Technical information: (202) 691-6378

 http://www.bls.gov/cps/

Media contact: 691-5902

USDL 05-2278

For release: 10:00 A.M. EST

Friday, December 9, 2005

VOLUNTEERING IN THE UNITED STATES, 2005

About 65.4 million people volunteered through or for an organization at least once between September

2004 and September 2005, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor reported today.

The proportion of the population who volunteered was 28.8 percent, the same as in each of the prior

2 years.

These data on volunteering were collected through a supplement to the September 2005 Current

Population Survey (CPS). Volunteers are defined as persons who did unpaid work (except for expenses)

through or for an organization. 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. For more information about the volunteer supplement, see the Technical Note.

Volunteering Among Demographic Groups

One-fourth of men and about one-third of women did volunteer work in the year ended in September

2005, about the same proportions as in the 2 prior years. Women volunteered at a higher rate than men

across age groups, educational levels, and other major characteristics. (See tables A and 1.)

By age, persons age 35 to 44 were the most likely to volunteer (34.5 percent), closely followed by 45-

to 54-year olds (32.7 percent). Teenagers also had a relatively high volunteer rate, 30.4 percent, perhaps

reflecting an emphasis on volunteer activities in schools. Volunteer rates were lowest among persons in their

early twenties (19.5 percent) and among those age 65 and over (24.8 percent). Within the latter group,

volunteer rates decreased as age increased.

Whites volunteered at a higher rate (30.4 percent) than did blacks (22.1 percent) and Asians (20.7 percent). Among Hispanics or Latinos, 15.4 percent volunteered.

Married persons volunteered at a higher rate (34.1 percent) than never-married persons (23.0 percent)

and persons of other marital statuses (23.1 percent). Parents with children under age 18 were more likely to

volunteer than persons without children of that age, 37.0 percent compared with 25.5 percent.

Among employed persons, 31.3 percent had volunteered during the year ended in September 2005. By

comparison, the volunteer rates of persons who were unemployed (26.4 percent) or not in the labor force

(24.4 percent) were lower. Among the employed, part-time workers were more likely than full-time workers

to have participated in volunteer activities—38.2 versus 29.8 percent.
 2

Table A. Volunteers by selected characteristics, September 2002–05

(Numbers in thousands)

 Sex

Total, both sexes....................................... 59,783 27.4 63,791 28.8 64,542 28.8 65,357 28.8

 Men......................................................... 24,706 23.6 26,805 25.1 27,011 25.0 27,370 25.0

 Women.................................................... 35,076 31.0 36,987 32.2 37,530 32.4 37,987 32.4

Age

Total, 16 years and over........................... 59,783 27.4 63,791 28.8 64,542 28.8 65,357 28.8

 16 to 24 years......................................... 7,742 21.9 8,671 24.1 8,821 24.2 8,955 24.4

 25 to 34 years......................................... 9,574 24.8 10,337 26.5 10,046 25.8 9,881 25.3

 35 to 44 years......................................... 14,971 34.1 15,165 34.7 14,783 34.2 14,809 34.5

 45 to 54 years......................................... 12,477 31.3 13,302 32.7 13,584 32.8 13,826 32.7

 55 to 64 years......................................... 7,331 27.5 8,170 29.2 8,784 30.1 9,173 30.2

 65 years and over................................... 7,687 22.7 8,146 23.7 8,524 24.6 8,712 24.8

Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

White 1....................................................... 52,591 29.2 55,572 30.6 55,892 30.5 56,170 30.4

Black or African American 1....................... 4,896 19.1 5,145 20.0 5,435 20.8 5,879 22.1

Asian 1....................................................... (2) (2) 1,735 18.7 1,832 19.3 2,055 20.7

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity....................... 4,059 15.5 4,364 15.7 4,102 14.5 4,511 15.4

Educational attainment 3

Less than a high school diploma............... 2,806 10.1 2,793 9.9 2,718 9.6 2,837 10.0

High school graduates, no college 4

.......... 12,542 21.2 12,882 21.7 12,709 21.6 12,594 21.2

Less than a bachelor's degree 5

................ 15,066 32.8 15,966 34.1 16,414 34.2 16,452 33.7

College graduates..................................... 21,627 43.3 23,481 45.6 23,880 45.7 24,517 45.8

Employment status

Civilian labor force..................................... 42,773 29.3 45,499 30.9 45,896 30.9 46,872 31.1

 Employed................................................ 40,742 29.5 43,138 31.2 43,886 31.2 44,894 31.3

 Full time 6

.............................................. 32,210 28.3 33,599 29.6 34,237 29.6 35,225 29.8

 Part time 7

............................................. 8,532 35.4 9,539 38.4 9,649 38.5 9,669 38.2

 Unemployed............................................ 2,031 25.1 2,361 26.7 2,010 25.6 1,978 26.4

Not in the labor force................................. 17,010 23.7 18,293 24.6 18,646 24.7 18,485 24.4

 1 Beginning 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 included in the group they identified as the main race.

 2 Data for Asians were not tabulated in 2002.

 3 Data refer to persons 25 years and over.

 4

 Includes high school diploma or equivalent.

 5

 Includes the categories, some college, no degree; and associate degree.

 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: 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. Due to the introduction of revised population controls in January 2003, 2004, and 2005, 

estimated levels for 2003, 2004, and 2005 are not strictly comparable with each other or with those for 2002. See the Technical Note for 

further information.

Characteristic

September 2003

Number Percent of 

population

September 2002

Number Percent of 

population

September 2005

Number Percent of 

population

September 2004

Number Percent of 

population
3

Total Annual Hours Spent Volunteering

Volunteers spent a median of 50 hours on volunteer activities during the period from September 2004 to

September 2005. This was down slightly from the level in the three previous surveys. Men spent 52 hours

volunteering and women spent 50 hours. Median annual hours spent on volunteer activities ranged from a

high of 96 hours for volunteers age 65 and over to a low of 36 hours for those 16 to 19 and 25 to 34 years

old. (See table 2.)

Number and Type of Organizations

Most volunteers were involved with one or two organizations—69.6 and 18.9 percent, respectively.

Individuals with higher educational attainment were more likely to volunteer for multiple organizations than

were individuals with less education. Parents also were more likely to volunteer for more than one organization than persons with no own children under 18. (See table 3.)

The main organization—the organization for which the volunteer worked the most hours during the year—

was most frequently either religious (34.8 percent of all volunteers) or educational/youth service related

 (26.2 percent). Another 13.4 percent of volunteers performed activities mainly for social or community

service organizations. (See table 4.)

Older volunteers were more likely to work mainly for religious organizations than were their younger

counterparts. For example, 45.0 percent of volunteers age 65 and over performed volunteer activities mainly

through or for a religious organization, compared with 27.5 percent of volunteers age 16 to 24 years.

Younger individuals were more likely to volunteer through or for educational or youth service organizations.

Among volunteers with children under 18 years old, 45.2 percent of mothers and 36.1 percent of fathers

volunteered mainly for an educational/youth service-related organization, such as a school or sports team.

Parents were more than twice as likely to volunteer for such organizations as persons with no children of that

age—51.5 and 21.6 percent, respectively. Conversely, volunteers with no children under 18 were considerably more likely to volunteer for some other types of organizations, such as hospitals or other health organizations and social or community service organizations.

Volunteer Activities for Main Organization

Volunteers were able to report more than one activity that they had performed for their main organization.

Fundraising was the most commonly reported activity (29.7 percent), followed by collecting, preparing,

distributing, or serving food (26.3 percent), engaging in general labor or supplying transportation to people

(22.5 percent), and tutoring or teaching (21.3 percent). (See table 5.)

Educational attainment influenced the types of activities volunteers performed. People with higher levels

of educational attainment were more likely to provide professional or management assistance, tutor or teach,

mentor youth, coach, referee, or supervise sports teams, or provide counseling, medical care, fire/EMS, or

protective services. They were less likely to collect, prepare, distribute, or serve food, or be an usher,

greeter, or minister.

Parents were considerably more likely than those without children to engage in several types of volunteer

activities—fundraising, tutoring or teaching, mentoring youth, and coaching, refereeing, or supervising sports

teams. This may be because parents often volunteer for organizations in which their children are involved.
4

How Volunteers Became Involved with Main Organization

Two in five volunteers became involved with the main organization for which they did volunteer work on

their own initiative; that is, they approached the organization. A slightly larger proportion, almost 43 percent,

was asked to volunteer, most often by someone in the organization. (See table 6.)

Reasons for Not Volunteering

Among those who had volunteered at some point in the past, the most common reason given for not

volunteering in the year ended September 2005 was lack of time (45.6 percent), followed by health or

medical problems (15.2 percent), and family responsibilities or childcare problems (9.3 percent). Lack of

time was the most common reason for persons in all age groups except those age 65 and over, who reported

health or medical problems as the primary reason. (See table 7.)
Technical Note

The data in this release were collected through a supplement to the September 2005 Current Population Survey

(CPS). The CPS—a monthly survey of about 60,000 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.

In January 2003, 2004, and 2005, the Census Bureau

introduced adjustments to the population controls for the CPS

as part of its annual update of population estimates. The 2003

adjustment resulted in an increase to the estimates for all

population categories. This increase was partly offset by

downward adjustments in 2004 and 2005. Consequently,

estimated levels of volunteers for September 2003, 2004, and

2005 are not strictly comparable with one another, or with

estimated levels for September 2002. These adjustments to the

levels, however, should have had only negligible effects on the

volunteer rates. In addition to the population control

adjustments, new questions on race and ethnicity were

introduced into the CPS in January 2003. For a discussion of

the changes introduced into the CPS in January 2003, see

“Revisions to the Current Population Survey Effective in

January 2003,” in the February 2003 issue of Employment and

Earnings, available at http://www.bls.gov/cps/rvcps03.pdf on

the BLS Web site. For a discussion of the changes introduced

in January 2004, see “Adjustments to Household Survey

Population Estimates in January 2004,” in the February 2004

issue of Employment and Earnings, available on the BLS Web

site at http://www.bls.gov/cps/cps04adj.pdf. For a discussion

of the changes introduced in January 2005, see “Adjustments

to Household Survey Population Estimates in January 2005,” in

the February 2005 issue of Employment and Earnings, available

on the BLS Web site at http://www.bls.gov/cps/cps05adj.pdf.

Information in this release will be made available to sensoryimpaired individuals upon request. Voice phone: 202-691-5200;

TDD message referral phone number: 1-800-877-8339.

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

represent. The exact difference, or sampling error, varies

depending on the particular sample selected, and this variability

is measured by the standard error of the estimate. There is about

a 90-percent chance, or level of confidence, that an estimate 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 conducted 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, inability to obtain

information for all respondents in the sample, inability or

unwillingness of respondents to provide correct information,

and errors made in the collection or processing of the data.

For a full discussion of the reliability of data from the CPS

and for information on estimating standard errors, see the

“Explanatory Notes and Estimates of Error” section of

Employment and Earnings.

Volunteer questions and concepts

In the September 2005 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 considered important for the volunteer

supplement because research indicated that self-respondents

could more easily answer questions on the characteristics of

the volunteer activity. About 70 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 organization, even if you only did them once in a while.”

Following this introduction, respondents were asked the

first supplement question: “Since September 1stof 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 following question: “Sometimes people

don’t think of activities they do infrequently or activities they

do for children’s schools or youth organizations as

volunteer activities. 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.

Respondents thus 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, and the type of activities they performed for

the main organization. Non-volunteers were asked about why

they didn't volunteer and if they had ever volunteered.

The reference period for the questions on volunteering

was about 1 year, from September 1, 2004, through the survey
week in September 2005. The reference period for other

characteristics, such as labor force status, educational attainment,

and marital status, refer to the survey reference week in September

2005. It is possible that these characteristics were different at the

time volunteer activities were performed.

Definitions

Volunteers are persons who performed unpaid volunteer

activities at any point from September 1, 2004, through the

survey period in September 2005. The count of volunteers only

includes pers ons 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. (See table 4.)

One new organization category, immigrant/refugee

assistance, was added to the questionnaire as a possible

response this year. Responses that were collected in this

category may have been distributed over at least six of the

Activities are the specific tasks the volunteer did for an

organization. Examples include tutoring, fundraising, and

serving food. The activity categories were modified this year;

thus, the data on activities are not directly comparable with

those for prior years.

major organization categories 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 categories,

those persons who did report that they volunteered for

immigrant/refugee assistance 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 had to provide 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 necessary to determine the type

of main organization. For these respondents, the follow-up

questions on activities and how they became involved with the

main organization asked them to report on the organization for

which they think they spent the most time volunteering.
Table 1. Volunteers by selected characteristics, September 2005

(Numbers in thousands)

Characteristics in September 2005

Total, both sexes Men Women

Civilian

noninstitutional

population

Volunteers Civilian

noninstitutional

population

Volunteers Civilian

noninstitutional

population

Volunteers

Number Percent of

population Number Percent ofpopulation Number Percent ofpopulation

Age

Total, 16 years and over ........................... 226,693 65,357 28.8 109,475 27,370 25.0 117,218 37,987 32.4

 16 to 24 years ......................................... 36,735 8,955 24.4 18,532 3,858 20.8 18,202 5,097 28.0

 16 to 19 years ...................................... 16,443 5,000 30.4 8,339 2,282 27.4 8,104 2,718 33.5

 20 to 24 years ...................................... 20,291 3,956 19.5 10,193 1,576 15.5 10,098 2,380 23.6

 25 years and over ................................... 189,958 56,401 29.7 90,943 23,512 25.9 99,015 32,889 33.2

 25 to 34 years ...................................... 39,118 9,881 25.3 19,479 3,949 20.3 19,639 5,931 30.2

 35 to 44 years ...................................... 42,968 14,809 34.5 21,165 6,105 28.8 21,803 8,704 39.9

 45 to 54 years ...................................... 42,316 13,826 32.7 20,701 5,999 29.0 21,615 7,828 36.2

 55 to 64 years ...................................... 30,410 9,173 30.2 14,622 3,999 27.3 15,788 5,174 32.8

 65 years and over ................................ 35,146 8,712 24.8 14,975 3,460 23.1 20,170 5,252 26.0

Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

White ........................................................ 184,851 56,170 30.4 90,248 23,726 26.3 94,602 32,444 34.3

Black or African American ........................ 26,618 5,879 22.1 11,933 2,226 18.7 14,685 3,654 24.9

Asian ......................................................... 9,946 2,055 20.7 4,729 845 17.9 5,217 1,210 23.2

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity ....................... 29,361 4,511 15.4 15,083 1,839 12.2 14,278 2,671 18.7

Educational attainment 1

Less than a high school diploma .............. 28,256 2,837 10.0 13,868 1,156 8.3 14,388 1,682 11.7

High school graduates, no college 2 ......... 59,345 12,594 21.2 28,278 5,072 17.9 31,066 7,522 24.2

Less than a bachelor’s degree 3 ............... 48,861 16,452 33.7 22,276 6,382 28.6 26,584 10,071 37.9

College graduates .................................... 53,497 24,517 45.8 26,520 10,903 41.1 26,977 13,615 50.5

Marital status

Single, never married ............................... 62,938 14,445 23.0 33,387 6,249 18.7 29,551 8,196 27.7

Married, spouse present ........................... 119,128 40,611 34.1 60,337 18,292 30.3 58,792 22,318 38.0

Other marital status 4 ................................ 44,626 10,301 23.1 15,752 2,829 18.0 28,875 7,472 25.9

Presence of own children

under 18 years 5

Without own children under 18 ................. 160,998 41,058 25.5 80,229 17,618 22.0 80,769 23,439 29.0

With own children under 18 ...................... 65,695 24,299 37.0 29,246 9,752 33.3 36,449 14,547 39.9

Employment status

Civilian labor force .................................... 150,863 46,872 31.1 80,780 21,684 26.8 70,084 25,188 35.9

 Employed ................................................ 143,381 44,894 31.3 76,999 20,947 27.2 66,383 23,947 36.1

 Full time 6 ............................................. 118,059 35,225 29.8 68,594 18,385 26.8 49,465 16,840 34.0

 Part time 7 ............................................. 25,323 9,669 38.2 8,405 2,562 30.5 16,918 7,107 42.0

 Unemployed ........................................... 7,482 1,978 26.4 3,781 737 19.5 3,701 1,241 33.5

Not in the labor force ................................ 75,830 18,485 24.4 28,695 5,686 19.8 47,134 12,799 27.2

1 Data refer to persons 25 years and over. 2 Includes high school diploma or equivalent. 3 Includes the categories, some college, no degree; and associate degree. 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, 2004, through the

survey period in September 2005. 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.
Table 2. Volunteers by annual hours of volunteer activities and selected characteristics, September 2005

Characteristics in September 2005

Total

volunteers

(thousands)

Percent distribution of total annual hours spent volunteering at all

organizations

Median

annual

hours 1

Total 1 to 14

hour(s)

15 to 49

hours

50 to 99

hours

100 to

499 hours

500 hours

and over

Not

reporting

annual

hours

Sex

Total, both sexes ...................................... 65,357 100.0 21.5 25.0 14.8 27.8 5.2 5.8 50

 Men ......................................................... 27,370 100.0 20.6 25.1 14.7 28.3 5.6 5.7 52

 Women ................................................... 37,987 100.0 22.0 25.0 14.8 27.4 4.9 5.9 50

Age

Total, 16 years and over ........................... 65,357 100.0 21.5 25.0 14.8 27.8 5.2 5.8 50

 16 to 24 years ......................................... 8,955 100.0 24.5 28.0 14.2 22.6 3.2 7.6 36

 16 to 19 years ...................................... 5,000 100.0 24.1 30.7 13.8 21.7 2.4 7.3 36

 20 to 24 years ...................................... 3,956 100.0 24.9 24.5 14.8 23.7 4.1 7.9 40

 25 years and over ................................... 56,401 100.0 21.0 24.6 14.9 28.6 5.5 5.5 52

 25 to 34 years ...................................... 9,881 100.0 26.4 27.7 13.5 23.5 4.2 4.7 36

 35 to 44 years ...................................... 14,809 100.0 22.9 25.4 15.9 27.0 4.4 4.4 48

 45 to 54 years ...................................... 13,826 100.0 21.2 25.3 15.4 27.5 5.0 5.5 50

 55 to 64 years ...................................... 9,173 100.0 19.0 23.3 14.8 30.1 6.6 6.3 56

 65 years and over ................................ 8,712 100.0 13.4 19.8 13.8 37.0 8.6 7.4 96

Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

White ........................................................ 56,170 100.0 21.3 25.3 15.0 27.9 5.0 5.3 50

Black or African American ........................ 5,879 100.0 20.6 22.7 13.2 26.4 7.1 9.9 52

Asian ......................................................... 2,055 100.0 27.9 22.8 12.5 26.9 3.6 6.3 40

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity ....................... 4,511 100.0 25.4 25.1 13.5 24.9 4.7 6.5 40

Educational attainment 2

Less than a high school diploma .............. 2,837 100.0 22.8 23.9 12.1 27.2 5.7 8.3 48

High school graduates, no college 3 ......... 12,594 100.0 23.4 23.6 14.1 26.4 5.3 7.2 48

Less than a bachelor’s degree 4 ............... 16,452 100.0 21.3 25.2 15.0 27.8 5.5 5.2 50

College graduates .................................... 24,517 100.0 19.3 24.8 15.5 30.4 5.6 4.5 55

Marital status

Single, never married ............................... 14,445 100.0 24.3 27.3 14.0 22.7 4.0 7.6 40

Married, spouse present ........................... 40,611 100.0 20.5 24.3 14.9 29.6 5.5 5.1 52

Other marital status 5 ................................ 10,301 100.0 21.2 24.7 15.2 27.4 5.5 6.0 52

Presence of own children

 under 18 years 6

Men:

 No own children under 18 years old ....... 17,618 100.0 20.0 25.0 14.6 28.0 6.0 6.4 52

 With own children under 18 years old .... 9,752 100.0 21.8 25.3 15.0 28.8 4.8 4.4 50

Women:

 No own children under 18 years old ....... 23,439 100.0 22.1 24.2 14.1 27.5 5.2 6.9 50

 With own children under 18 years old .... 14,547 100.0 22.0 26.2 16.0 27.2 4.5 4.1 48

Employment status

Civilian labor force .................................... 46,872 100.0 22.8 26.2 15.1 26.2 4.4 5.3 48

 Employed ................................................ 44,894 100.0 22.8 26.2 14.9 26.4 4.4 5.3 48

 Full time 7 ............................................. 35,225 100.0 23.3 26.4 15.0 25.7 4.2 5.4 45

 Part time 8 ............................................. 9,669 100.0 20.6 25.7 14.9 29.0 4.8 5.0 51

 Unemployed ........................................... 1,978 100.0 24.2 26.3 17.7 20.9 5.8 5.0 42

Not in the labor force ................................ 18,485 100.0 18.0 22.1 14.0 31.7 7.1 7.1 62

1 For those reporting annual hours. 2 Data refer to persons 25 years and over. 3 Includes high school diploma or equivalent. 4 Includes the categories, some college, no degree; and associate degree. 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, 2004, through the

survey period in September 2005. 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.
Table 3. Volunteers by number of organizations for which volunteer activities were performed and selected

characteristics, September 2005

Characteristics in September 2005

Total

volunteers

(thousands)

Percent distribution of the number of organizations for which

volunteer activities were performed

Total One Two Three Four

Five

or

more

Not reporting

number of

organizations

Sex

Total, both sexes .................................................................................... 65,357 100.0 69.6 18.9 7.0 2.4 1.7 0.3

 Men ...................................................................................................... 27,370 100.0 71.7 17.9 6.3 2.0 1.6 .3

 Women ................................................................................................. 37,987 100.0 68.1 19.6 7.4 2.7 1.8 .3

Age

Total, 16 years and over ........................................................................ 65,357 100.0 69.6 18.9 7.0 2.4 1.7 .3

 16 to 24 years ...................................................................................... 8,955 100.0 77.3 15.1 4.1 1.7 1.2 .6

 16 to 19 years ................................................................................... 5,000 100.0 74.0 16.9 5.1 1.9 1.4 .7

 20 to 24 years ................................................................................... 3,956 100.0 81.5 13.0 2.8 1.3 1.0 .5

 25 years and over ................................................................................ 56,401 100.0 68.4 19.5 7.4 2.6 1.8 .2

 25 to 34 years ................................................................................... 9,881 100.0 74.9 16.9 5.2 1.7 1.1 .2

 35 to 44 years ................................................................................... 14,809 100.0 65.9 21.2 8.0 2.8 2.0 .2

 45 to 54 years ................................................................................... 13,826 100.0 66.7 19.9 8.0 3.0 2.2 .2

 55 to 64 years ................................................................................... 9,173 100.0 67.5 18.8 8.6 2.9 2.0 .2

 65 years and over ............................................................................. 8,712 100.0 69.2 19.7 6.8 2.1 1.7 .5

Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

White ...................................................................................................... 56,170 100.0 68.3 19.7 7.3 2.6 1.9 .3

Black or African American ...................................................................... 5,879 100.0 77.9 13.9 5.2 1.4 1.2 .4

Asian ...................................................................................................... 2,055 100.0 79.3 14.7 3.9 .9 .4 .8

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity .................................................................... 4,511 100.0 82.3 11.8 3.8 1.1 .5 .4

Educational attainment 1

Less than a high school diploma ............................................................ 2,837 100.0 88.1 8.6 2.4 .5 .3 .1

High school graduates, no college 2 ...................................................... 12,594 100.0 78.3 15.3 4.0 1.3 .8 .2

Less than a bachelor’s degree 3 ............................................................ 16,452 100.0 70.3 18.8 7.2 2.1 1.4 .3

College graduates .................................................................................. 24,517 100.0 59.8 23.4 9.9 3.8 2.8 .3

Marital status

Single, never married ............................................................................. 14,445 100.0 75.1 16.3 4.8 1.9 1.4 .6

Married, spouse present ........................................................................ 40,611 100.0 67.5 20.1 7.5 2.7 1.9 .2

Other marital status 4 ............................................................................. 10,301 100.0 70.7 17.7 7.8 2.1 1.5 .2

Presence of own children under 18 years 5

Men:

 No own children under 18 years old .................................................... 17,618 100.0 73.3 16.8 5.9 2.0 1.6 .4

 With own children under 18 years old .................................................. 9,752 100.0 69.0 19.9 7.1 2.0 1.8 .1

Women:

 No own children under 18 years old .................................................... 23,439 100.0 70.2 18.6 6.8 2.5 1.6 .4

 With own children under 18 years old .................................................. 14,547 100.0 64.8 21.3 8.4 3.2 2.2 .2

Employment status

Civilian labor force ................................................................................. 46,872 100.0 69.2 19.1 7.2 2.5 1.8 .2

 Employed ............................................................................................. 44,894 100.0 69.0 19.3 7.1 2.5 1.8 .2

 Full time 6 ........................................................................................... 35,225 100.0 69.4 19.1 7.0 2.5 1.8 .2

 Part time 7 .......................................................................................... 9,669 100.0 67.7 19.9 7.6 2.6 1.9 .3

 Unemployed ......................................................................................... 1,978 100.0 73.4 15.1 8.1 1.5 1.6 .2

Not in the labor force .............................................................................. 18,485 100.0 70.8 18.5 6.4 2.3 1.5 .5

1 Data refer to persons 25 years and over. 2 Includes high school diploma or equivalent. 3 Includes the categories, some college, no degree; and associate degree. 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, 2004, through the

survey period in September 2005. 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. Dash represents or rounds to zero.
Table 4. Volunteers by type of main organization for which volunteer activities were performed and selected

characteristics, September 2005

Characteristics in September 2005

Total

volunteers

(thousands)

Percent distribution of volunteers by type of main organization 1

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

Sex

Total, both sexes .................................. 65,357 100.0 6.4 26.2 1.8 7.7 1.3 34.8 13.4 3.3 3.5 1.7

 Men ............................................... 27,370 100.0 8.2 24.4 1.8 5.5 2.4 34.0 14.2 4.1 3.8 1.6

 Women ........................................... 37,987 100.0 5.0 27.6 1.8 9.2 .5 35.4 12.8 2.7 3.3 1.7

Age

Total, 16 years and over ......................... 65,357 100.0 6.4 26.2 1.8 7.7 1.3 34.8 13.4 3.3 3.5 1.7

 16 to 24 years .................................... 8,955 100.0 4.2 32.4 2.5 8.2 1.5 27.5 14.9 2.8 3.6 2.3

 16 to 19 years ................................. 5,000 100.0 3.4 36.5 2.1 7.6 1.0 27.7 13.6 2.8 2.9 2.5

 20 to 24 years ................................. 3,956 100.0 5.3 27.3 2.9 9.0 2.3 27.3 16.6 2.7 4.5 2.1

 25 years and over ............................... 56,401 100.0 6.7 25.2 1.7 7.6 1.2 36.0 13.2 3.4 3.5 1.5

 25 to 34 years ................................. 9,881 100.0 6.8 33.6 2.1 6.6 1.7 29.1 13.1 3.0 3.1 1.0

 35 to 44 years ................................. 14,809 100.0 4.8 37.9 1.3 5.8 1.1 31.2 10.5 3.0 3.1 1.3

 45 to 54 years ................................. 13,826 100.0 6.8 25.6 2.1 7.7 1.3 36.8 11.4 3.6 3.1 1.7

 55 to 64 years ................................. 9,173 100.0 8.0 13.5 2.1 8.9 1.4 41.2 15.5 3.8 4.0 1.7

 65 years and over ............................. 8,712 100.0 8.2 6.2 .9 10.1 .8 45.0 18.0 3.7 4.7 2.3

Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

White ............................................... 56,170 100.0 6.5 26.3 2.0 8.0 1.4 33.8 13.5 3.4 3.6 1.5

Black or African American ....................... 5,879 100.0 5.2 23.8 .5 4.8 .5 45.5 12.3 2.0 2.9 2.5

Asian ............................................... 2,055 100.0 6.0 28.6 .5 8.8 .5 33.6 13.3 3.8 2.5 2.4

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity ...................... 4,511 100.0 5.8 31.9 .9 5.7 1.0 37.1 9.5 2.3 3.9 1.9

Educational attainment 2

Less than a high school diploma ................ 2,837 100.0 5.2 20.9 .4 5.7 1.5 45.5 13.5 1.2 5.0 1.0

High school graduates, no college 3 ............ 12,594 100.0 6.3 23.7 1.3 7.9 2.1 38.9 12.2 2.9 3.3 1.4

Less than a bachelor’s degree 4 ................ 16,452 100.0 6.5 26.1 1.8 7.9 1.3 35.8 12.6 3.3 3.4 1.3

College graduates ................................ 24,517 100.0 7.3 26.0 2.0 7.4 .7 33.5 13.9 3.9 3.5 1.8

Marital status

Single, never married ............................. 14,445 100.0 6.1 29.3 2.7 8.5 1.6 26.1 15.4 3.6 4.1 2.5

Married, spouse present ......................... 40,611 100.0 6.2 26.8 1.4 6.7 1.3 38.1 12.1 3.1 2.9 1.4

Other marital status 5 ............................. 10,301 100.0 7.2 19.8 2.0 10.3 .8 34.0 15.7 3.6 5.1 1.6

Presence of own children

 under 18 years 6

Men:

 No own children under 18 years old .......... 17,618 100.0 9.6 17.9 2.1 6.5 2.7 34.3 16.2 4.3 4.5 1.9

 With own children under 18 years old ........ 9,752 100.0 5.8 36.1 1.1 3.7 1.8 33.4 10.6 3.9 2.6 1.0

Women:

 No own children under 18 years old .......... 23,439 100.0 6.2 16.6 2.4 11.7 .6 37.3 15.8 3.2 4.1 2.1

 With own children under 18 years old ........ 14,547 100.0 3.2 45.2 .8 5.2 .3 32.4 8.0 1.9 2.0 1.0

Employment status

Civilian labor force ................................ 46,872 100.0 6.6 27.7 1.9 7.5 1.5 33.5 13.1 3.4 3.4 1.5

 Employed ......................................... 44,894 100.0 6.7 27.4 1.9 7.6 1.5 33.6 12.9 3.4 3.4 1.6

 Full time 7 ....................................... 35,225 100.0 7.2 26.5 1.9 7.6 1.7 33.4 13.2 3.5 3.5 1.6

 Part time 8 ...................................... 9,669 100.0 4.8 30.5 2.0 7.6 1.0 34.6 11.9 2.9 3.1 1.5

 Unemployed ...................................... 1,978 100.0 4.4 34.0 1.5 5.8 1.6 29.3 16.7 2.5 3.4 .8

Not in the labor force ............................. 18,485 100.0 5.9 22.6 1.5 8.0 .6 38.2 14.2 3.1 3.9 2.0

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 high school diploma or equivalent. 4 Includes the categories, some college, no degree; and associate degree. 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, 2004, through the survey period in September

2005. 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.
Table 5. Volunteer activities for main organization for which activities were performed and selected characteristics, 

September 2005

Characteristics in September 2005

Total

volunteers

(thousands)

Percent distribution of volunteer activities for main organization 1

Coach,

referee,

or

supervise

sports

teams

Tutor or

teach

Mentor

youth

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

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;

supply

transportation to

people

Other

Sex

Total, both sexes ........................... 65,357 8.9 21.3 17.6 13.1 26.3 16.2 29.7 7.4 12.8 17.7 11.5 22.5 15.3

 Men ......................................... 27,370 14.5 18.6 17.9 15.1 21.1 12.0 26.7 8.5 9.1 19.8 9.9 27.7 14.4

 Women ..................................... 37,987 4.8 23.2 17.4 11.7 30.0 19.3 32.0 6.6 15.4 16.1 12.6 18.8 16.0

Age

Total, 16 years and over .................. 65,357 8.9 21.3 17.6 13.1 26.3 16.2 29.7 7.4 12.8 17.7 11.5 22.5 15.3

 16 to 24 years ............................. 8,955 11.6 22.0 22.1 9.4 23.5 14.5 26.7 6.2 9.2 6.1 15.7 21.6 15.3

 16 to 19 years ........................... 5,000 12.0 21.4 20.2 10.0 25.2 14.5 29.3 3.9 9.5 4.4 16.3 23.2 14.9

 20 to 24 years ........................... 3,956 11.1 22.8 24.6 8.7 21.4 14.5 23.3 9.1 8.8 8.1 14.9 19.7 15.8

 25 years and over ........................ 56,401 8.4 21.2 16.9 13.7 26.7 16.5 30.2 7.6 13.4 19.5 10.8 22.7 15.3

 25 to 34 years ........................... 9,881 11.6 24.0 20.5 9.5 23.4 15.7 29.7 7.9 10.8 12.8 12.5 22.2 15.4

 35 to 44 years ........................... 14,809 13.0 24.6 20.9 11.0 25.5 16.4 32.9 6.6 13.2 18.9 11.3 23.1 14.0

 45 to 54 years ........................... 13,826 9.1 21.4 18.0 15.0 27.3 15.7 32.6 8.3 13.0 21.6 10.3 24.4 14.5

 55 to 64 years ........................... 9,173 3.4 19.4 13.9 17.1 28.5 16.7 30.1 8.7 14.4 23.8 10.7 22.9 14.3

 65 years and over ...................... 8,712 1.5 13.6 7.3 17.7 29.9 18.6 22.9 6.8 15.9 20.6 8.7 19.6 19.9

Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

White ......................................... 56,170 8.9 20.8 17.0 12.9 25.9 16.0 30.6 7.2 12.9 18.5 11.0 22.9 15.7

Black or African American ................ 5,879 9.2 24.4 24.2 17.7 29.7 18.8 23.5 10.1 12.9 13.2 14.3 19.0 12.6

Asian ......................................... 2,055 5.6 21.0 13.5 9.1 24.6 13.2 24.7 5.5 10.0 10.4 12.0 19.9 15.3

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity ............... 4,511 9.6 20.7 14.6 12.1 24.1 15.5 24.1 6.7 9.7 9.1 8.8 18.4 18.5

Educational attainment 2

Less than a high school diploma ......... 2,837 4.3 13.3 8.7 14.3 32.9 16.3 22.2 5.4 6.6 6.9 6.4 23.3 19.0

High school graduates, no college 3 ..... 12,594 8.2 16.6 14.3 14.2 30.3 16.3 30.8 5.5 12.1 13.3 9.4 23.6 17.0

Less than a bachelor’s degree 4 ......... 16,452 8.6 20.4 18.1 14.1 27.9 17.5 31.0 7.5 14.5 17.6 11.7 24.9 15.6

College graduates .......................... 24,517 8.9 24.9 18.4 13.2 23.4 15.9 30.4 9.0 14.0 25.5 11.4 20.6 13.9

Marital status

Single, never married ...................... 14,445 9.8 20.5 19.2 10.5 23.0 14.4 26.6 7.8 10.6 9.8 13.8 21.2 15.3

Married, spouse present .................. 40,611 9.4 22.7 17.8 14.3 26.9 16.4 31.4 7.2 13.1 20.9 11.0 23.6 14.8

Other marital status 5 ...................... 10,301 5.3 16.6 14.5 12.3 28.4 18.1 27.8 7.8 14.7 16.2 10.2 20.2 17.6

Presence of own children

 under 18 years 6

Men:

 No own children under 18 years old .... 17,618 9.0 16.9 15.4 16.2 21.5 12.1 25.4 8.7 9.7 19.3 10.1 27.2 15.7

 With own children under 18 years old .. 9,752 24.5 21.5 22.5 13.1 20.4 11.7 28.9 8.3 8.1 20.9 9.6 28.5 12.0

Women:

 No own children under 18 years old .... 23,439 3.5 20.0 14.4 13.0 29.4 19.1 28.6 7.4 15.6 16.0 12.3 18.0 16.1

 With own children under 18 years old .. 14,547 6.9 28.4 22.0 9.6 31.0 19.6 37.4 5.4 15.2 16.4 13.0 20.1 15.9

Employment status

Civilian labor force ......................... 46,872 10.5 21.8 19.4 13.0 25.4 15.7 31.3 8.2 11.9 18.8 11.5 23.6 14.2

 Employed .................................. 44,894 10.6 21.8 19.4 13.1 25.1 15.6 31.5 8.3 11.8 19.1 11.3 23.6 14.2

 Full time 7 ................................ 35,225 11.4 20.9 19.2 13.4 24.4 14.9 31.7 8.5 11.5 20.0 10.9 23.4 13.7

 Part time 8 ................................ 9,669 7.7 25.3 19.8 12.1 27.5 17.9 30.9 7.4 13.1 16.0 13.0 24.0 15.7

 Unemployed ............................... 1,978 8.3 20.9 19.9 10.2 31.2 18.7 27.0 6.7 14.4 11.4 14.3 23.6 14.6

Not in the labor force ...................... 18,485 4.7 20.0 13.1 13.4 28.7 17.5 25.8 5.5 15.0 14.9 11.4 20.0 18.3

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 high school diploma or equivalent. 4 Includes the categories, some college, no degree; and associate degree. 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, 2004, through the survey period in September 2005. 

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. 1.7 percent of volunteers did not report the type of activity.
Table 6. Volunteers by how they became involved with main organization for which volunteer activities were performed

and selected characteristics, September 2005

Characteristics in September 2005

Total

volunteers

(thousands)

Percent distribution of how volunteers became involved with main organization 1

Total

Approached

the

organization

Was asked by:

Other

Not

reporting

how

became

involved

Total 2 Boss or

employer

Relative,

friend, or

co-worker

Someone in

the

organization/

school

Someone

else

Sex

Total, both sexes .................................................. 65,357 100.0 40.3 42.8 1.5 14.1 25.9 1.2 14.5 2.4

 Men ................................................................ 27,370 100.0 39.1 43.8 1.5 15.4 25.6 1.1 14.5 2.6

 Women ............................................................ 37,987 100.0 41.1 42.1 1.4 13.2 26.1 1.3 14.5 2.2

Age

Total, 16 years and over ......................................... 65,357 100.0 40.3 42.8 1.5 14.1 25.9 1.2 14.5 2.4

 16 to 24 years .................................................... 8,955 100.0 39.6 40.6 1.3 16.5 21.1 1.6 16.7 3.1

 16 to 19 years .................................................. 5,000 100.0 40.0 40.0 .5 14.8 23.1 1.4 16.7 3.3

 20 to 24 years .................................................. 3,956 100.0 39.0 41.5 2.3 18.7 18.4 1.8 16.7 2.9

 25 years and over ............................................... 56,401 100.0 40.4 43.2 1.5 13.7 26.7 1.1 14.2 2.2

 25 to 34 years .................................................. 9,881 100.0 39.4 44.9 2.6 15.3 25.5 1.4 13.8 1.9

 35 to 44 years .................................................. 14,809 100.0 40.2 43.3 1.5 13.3 27.5 .9 14.5 2.0

 45 to 54 years .................................................. 13,826 100.0 40.2 43.7 1.6 12.8 28.0 1.0 13.9 2.2

 55 to 64 years .................................................. 9,173 100.0 40.6 42.4 1.2 14.1 25.8 1.1 14.5 2.6

 65 years and over ............................................. 8,712 100.0 42.1 41.0 .4 13.7 25.2 1.6 14.2 2.7

Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

White ................................................................ 56,170 100.0 40.3 43.5 1.5 14.4 26.3 1.2 14.2 2.1

Black or African American ....................................... 5,879 100.0 38.2 39.4 1.5 13.0 23.6 1.3 17.9 4.4

Asian ................................................................ 2,055 100.0 47.0 34.0 1.6 10.8 20.5 .9 14.4 4.6

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity ...................................... 4,511 100.0 40.2 43.7 1.9 14.9 24.7 1.8 13.7 2.4

Educational attainment 3

Less than a high school diploma ................................ 2,837 100.0 40.1 45.0 .7 15.6 26.6 1.8 12.4 2.5

High school graduates, no college 4 ............................ 12,594 100.0 39.1 44.3 1.3 15.0 26.7 1.2 14.5 2.1

Less than a bachelor’s degree 5 ................................ 16,452 100.0 39.6 43.3 1.5 14.1 26.2 1.2 14.9 2.1

College graduates ................................................. 24,517 100.0 41.7 42.3 1.7 12.6 26.9 .9 13.7 2.4

Marital status

Single, never married ............................................. 14,445 100.0 39.7 40.4 1.6 16.6 20.4 1.6 16.4 3.5

Married, spouse present ......................................... 40,611 100.0 40.6 43.8 1.3 13.0 28.3 1.0 13.7 1.9

Other marital status 6 ............................................. 10,301 100.0 40.1 42.5 1.9 15.1 23.9 1.5 14.9 2.5

Presence of own children under 18 years 7

Men:

 No own children under 18 years old .......................... 17,618 100.0 38.8 43.3 1.5 16.8 23.5 1.2 14.8 3.1

 With own children under 18 years old ......................... 9,752 100.0 39.7 44.8 1.4 13.0 29.3 .8 13.9 1.6

Women:

 No own children under 18 years old .......................... 23,439 100.0 42.0 40.3 1.7 14.8 22.3 1.4 15.0 2.7

 With own children under 18 years old ......................... 14,547 100.0 39.7 45.0 1.1 10.5 32.2 1.1 13.8 1.4

Employment status

Civilian labor force ................................................ 46,872 100.0 39.5 43.8 1.9 14.6 26.0 1.1 14.5 2.2

 Employed ......................................................... 44,894 100.0 39.6 43.7 2.0 14.5 26.0 1.0 14.5 2.2

 Full time 8 ....................................................... 35,225 100.0 39.0 44.1 2.3 15.0 25.7 .9 14.6 2.3

 Part time 9 ....................................................... 9,669 100.0 41.8 42.3 .8 12.7 27.3 1.4 14.0 1.9

 Unemployed ...................................................... 1,978 100.0 38.6 44.2 .4 15.8 25.7 2.0 15.6 1.6

Not in the labor force ............................................. 18,485 100.0 42.3 40.5 .3 13.0 25.6 1.5 14.5 2.8

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 high school diploma or equivalent. 5 Includes the categories, some college, no degree; and associate degree. 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, 2004, through the survey period in September

2005. 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.
Table 7. Main reason for not volunteering last year as reported by non-volunteers who had volunteered in the past 

by selected characteristics, September 2005

Characteristics in September 2005 Total

(thousands) 1

Percent distribution of main reason for not volunteering

Total

Burnout/

not

enjoyable

previously

Family

responsibilities or

childcare

problems

Health or

medical

problems

Lack of

time

No one

asked

No longer

a

member

of the

organization

Wasn’t

interested

Moved,

lack of

information,

transportation, or

expenses 2

No longer

required/

not

relevant to

current life

situation

Other

Not

reporting

reason

for not

volunteering

Sex

Total, both sexes ............................. 37,677 100.0 2.0 9.3 15.2 45.6 2.9 1.9 3.9 3.9 4.9 9.0 1.3

 Men ........................................... 16,640 100.0 2.0 5.4 11.5 50.9 3.5 2.0 4.8 3.8 4.9 9.8 1.3

 Women ....................................... 21,037 100.0 2.0 12.4 18.1 41.3 2.5 1.8 3.3 3.9 4.9 8.4 1.4

Age

Total, 16 years and over .................... 37,677 100.0 2.0 9.3 15.2 45.6 2.9 1.9 3.9 3.9 4.9 9.0 1.3

 16 to 24 years ............................... 4,569 100.0 .7 4.5 .8 64.5 3.1 2.1 4.5 5.8 2.2 9.6 2.0

 16 to 19 years ............................. 1,345 100.0 1.5 3.2 .7 57.5 4.6 3.4 6.2 7.9 3.2 9.2 2.7

 20 to 24 years ............................. 3,224 100.0 .4 5.1 .8 67.5 2.5 1.6 3.7 4.9 1.8 9.8 1.8

 25 years and over .......................... 33,108 100.0 2.2 10.0 17.2 42.9 2.9 1.8 3.8 3.6 5.3 8.9 1.3

 25 to 34 years ............................. 6,020 100.0 1.1 14.3 2.2 59.0 2.8 1.5 2.6 4.7 1.9 8.4 1.4

 35 to 44 years ............................. 6,236 100.0 1.9 12.7 5.2 57.0 3.3 2.0 2.4 3.2 4.3 7.2 .8

 45 to 54 years ............................. 7,163 100.0 1.8 8.2 9.8 52.4 3.0 2.2 3.1 3.9 6.3 7.7 1.5

 55 to 64 years ............................. 5,992 100.0 3.0 9.5 15.8 40.0 2.9 2.3 5.5 3.3 6.6 9.6 1.5

 65 years and over ........................ 7,696 100.0 3.1 6.5 46.5 12.4 2.5 1.3 5.4 3.1 6.7 11.5 1.1

Race and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity

White ........................................... 32,446 100.0 2.0 9.2 15.4 45.5 2.9 1.8 4.0 3.7 5.2 9.1 1.3

Black or African American .................. 3,199 100.0 3.0 10.1 16.9 42.1 3.5 2.1 4.2 4.4 2.9 8.6 2.3

Asian ........................................... 1,157 100.0 .6 11.4 7.6 57.3 1.5 1.5 1.6 5.1 3.4 8.4 1.7

Hispanic or Latino ethnicity ................. 2,704 100.0 1.6 11.0 9.8 47.6 4.4 3.2 3.6 5.9 3.9 7.5 1.4

Educational attainment 3

Less than a high school diploma ........... 2,975 100.0 1.6 9.5 39.7 20.3 3.5 1.9 3.2 4.0 5.3 9.7 1.3

High school graduates, no college 4 ....... 9,677 100.0 2.6 9.4 21.9 35.1 3.4 2.5 4.4 3.3 7.1 9.2 1.1

Less than a bachelor’s degree 5 ........... 10,087 100.0 2.5 10.1 15.0 45.0 3.1 1.7 4.2 3.8 4.9 8.5 1.2

College graduates ............................ 10,369 100.0 1.8 10.6 8.5 54.7 2.1 1.4 3.1 3.6 3.9 8.9 1.4

Marital status

Single, never married ........................ 8,896 100.0 1.4 5.0 5.4 60.1 3.6 1.8 4.6 4.9 2.4 8.8 2.1

Married, spouse present .................... 20,010 100.0 1.9 11.9 13.2 45.1 2.8 2.0 3.9 3.2 6.1 8.7 1.2

Other marital status 6 ........................ 8,772 100.0 2.9 7.9 29.7 31.7 2.7 1.6 3.3 4.5 4.6 10.1 .9

Presence of own children

 under 18 years 7

Men:

 No own children under 18 years old ...... 13,095 100.0 2.2 3.5 13.6 48.2 3.7 1.9 5.5 4.1 5.4 10.4 1.4

 With own children under 18 years old .... 3,545 100.0 1.5 12.3 3.8 61.0 2.6 2.4 2.0 2.7 3.1 7.5 1.0

Women:

 No own children under 18 years old ...... 15,941 100.0 2.3 7.6 22.5 40.0 2.5 1.8 3.7 4.2 5.3 8.8 1.4

 With own children under 18 years old .... 5,097 100.0 1.2 27.4 4.4 45.3 2.4 1.8 1.8 3.2 3.7 7.4 1.3

Employment status

Civilian labor force ........................... 25,258 100.0 1.9 8.7 3.3 59.6 3.0 1.9 3.4 3.6 4.6 8.5 1.4

 Employed .................................... 24,016 100.0 2.0 8.5 3.2 60.7 2.9 1.9 3.3 3.4 4.6 8.3 1.4

 Full time 8 .................................. 19,761 100.0 1.8 7.9 2.5 63.6 2.8 1.9 2.8 3.4 4.5 7.7 1.2

 Part time 9 .................................. 4,254 100.0 2.7 11.7 6.4 47.2 3.4 1.7 5.4 3.6 4.9 11.0 2.0

 Unemployed ................................. 1,242 100.0 1.1 11.6 4.8 38.7 5.4 3.8 6.0 8.2 5.3 13.8 1.3

Not in the labor force ........................ 12,420 100.0 2.3 10.6 39.5 17.0 2.7 1.7 5.0 4.4 5.5 10.1 1.3

1 Data refer to persons who did not volunteer during the survey reference period

(September 2004-September 2005), but who had volunteered in the past. 2 Includes the categories lack of information about opportunities, lack of transportation, lack

of paid expenses, moved in the last year, and opportunities don’t match interest or skills. 3 Data refer to persons 25 years and over. 4 Includes high school diploma or equivalent. 5 Includes the categories, some college, no degree; and associate degree. 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, 2004, through the survey period in September 2005.

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.