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Older Adult Volunteers: A Pillar of Community and Civic Life
New analysis finds that volunteers age 50 and older play an outsized role in community service, civic life and keeping neighborhoods connected.
Key takeaways
People ages 50 and older are a core component of volunteerism in the U.S., contributing more than half of all volunteer hours — and adding approximately $92 billion annually to the economy.
Older adults who volunteer are more than twice as likely to belong to local civic and community organizations as the overall older adult population (67% vs 29%).
Organizations seeking more volunteer support can expand engagement by offering volunteer opportunities that are more flexible, accessible and meaningful for adults over 50.
The key takeaways were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.
In recent years, technological and societal changes have reshaped how people connect, with many communities experiencing weakening social ties. Against this backdrop, AARP Foundation analyzed the latest U.S. Census Bureau Current Population Survey Civic Engagement and Volunteering Supplement to better understand how adults 50 and older contribute to volunteering and civic life in the U.S.
The findings are clear: Older adult volunteers are an essential source of capacity and social connection, helping communities and organizations meet critical needs every day. They represent nearly half of all volunteers in the United States and contribute more than half of all volunteer hours — an outsized impact compared to their share of the population.
For organizations that rely on volunteer service, expanding opportunities for adults over 50 is a practical way to strengthen communities. This means looking beyond recruitment strategies and designing volunteer roles that are accessible, flexible, meaningful, and responsive to how people want and are able to contribute.
Older Adults Are a Cornerstone of Volunteerism in the United States
Although adults 50 and older make up just 36% of the U.S. population, they account for 44% of all volunteers, underscoring their outsized role in supporting communities nationwide. Their volunteer contributions — more than half of all volunteer hours in the nation — are worth an estimated $92.2 billion each year.
Their commitment to community service is more consistent and more frequent than that of volunteers under 50. Older volunteers serve an average of 88.5 hours a year, compared with 55.7 hours among volunteers under 50. Nearly three-quarters (73%) of older volunteers serve at least once a month (compared with 63% of younger volunteers), providing nonprofits and community organizations with greater stability in program and service delivery.
Adults age 50 and older make up just over one-third of the population but account for nearly half of all volunteers.
Older Volunteers Strengthen Civic Engagement, Neighborhoods, and Community Connection
Among adults age 50 and older, volunteers are significantly more likely than non-volunteers to participate in civic life and maintain stronger connections with the people and institutions around them. Nine in 10 spend time with neighbors (compared to 77% of non-volunteers), 80% do so at least once a month, and 57% regularly do favors for neighbors. Together, the findings show that older adult volunteers contribute more time, service, connection, and civic strength relative to the total population over 50.
90% of older volunteers spend time with neighbors, compared to 77% of non-volunteers
A Clear Opportunity for Community and Civic Organizations
Older adults are the engine that powers volunteerism in the U.S., but like all age groups, they are volunteering less than before the pandemic. This gives organizations that rely on volunteer support a chance to increase engagement by offering more welcoming and flexible volunteer opportunities. Volunteer participation among adults ages 50-64 is similar to that of those 65 and older, challenging the idea that volunteering is mainly tied to retirement.
The analysis suggests that effective volunteer engagement depends not only on recruitment but also on designing volunteer opportunities that are responsive to how adults over 50 want and are able to contribute. Expanding participation among a broader cross-section of older adults can strengthen communities, reduce isolation, and create volunteer programs that can adapt to changing circumstances over time.
Download the Analysis
Download the full analysis to explore the findings and implications for organizations that rely on volunteers.
Methodologies
Findings are based on AARP Foundation's analysis of the U.S. Census Bureau's Current Population Survey (CPS) Civic Engagement and Volunteering (CEV) Supplement (CPS-CEV), 2024 release (2023 survey data).
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AARP Foundation is the nation’s leading organization serving older adults living in poverty or one life event away from slipping into it. We are the philanthropic affiliate of AARP. Learn more about AARP Foundation.