Older Adults Contribute to More Than Half of All U.S. Volunteer Hours, New AARP Foundation Research Finds

WASHINGTON- Adults age 50 and older are a driving force behind volunteerism in the United States, contributing to more than half (55%) of all volunteer hours, according to a new analysis from AARP Foundation.

The findings show that older adults do not just volunteer in large numbers, they also show up consistently and contribute more time, providing the kind of reliable support that schools, nonprofits, and caregiving networks are built on.

Their outsized contribution to volunteerism is driven by three factors:

• Older adults volunteer in greater numbers: While adults age 50-plus make up just 36% of the U.S. population, they account for 44% of the nation’s volunteers.
• Older adults contribute more hours: Volunteers age 50-plus contribute an average of 89 volunteer hours annually, compared with 56 hours annually among volunteers under age 50 — 33 additional hours each year.
• Older adults volunteer more consistently: Nearly three-quarters (73%) volunteer at least once per month, compared with 63% of younger volunteers.

“Older adults are an extraordinary force for good in our communities,” said AARP Foundation President Claire Casey. “They put a lifetime of skills and experience to work for others, benefitting all of us by making our neighborhoods and communities stronger and more connected.”

The findings show that volunteers do more than just volunteer, they power civic life in their neighborhoods and communities. Adults age 50-plus who volunteer are more likely than the overall 50-plus population to vote (79% versus 61%) and to belong to civic groups or associations (67% versus 29%). They are also more connected to their communities: 90% spend time with neighbors, compared with 77% overall, and 57% do favors for neighbors at least once a month, compared with 41% overall.

With a national network of more than 30,000 volunteers, AARP Foundation is the nation’s premier organization supporting older adult volunteerism. Tomorrow, it will put that spirit of service into action as the nation marks the 25th anniversary of September 11. As a founding supporter of September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, staff from AARP Foundation and AARP will join hundreds of volunteers from across the Washington region at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center to pack meals for the Capital Area Food Bank.

Read the full report: “Older Adult Volunteers: A Pillar of Community and Civic Life.”   

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About AARP Foundation

AARP Foundation is the nation’s leading organization serving the 39 million older adults living in poverty or one life event away from slipping into it. Our mission is to strengthen financial resilience for and with older adults by empowering individuals and improving systems. We do this by creating pathways to quality employment, removing barriers to benefits, and promoting equitable access to essential goods and services. To learn more, visit aarpfoundation.org or follow @AARPFoundation on social media. 

MEDIA CONTACT:

Madison Daniels, mdaniels@aarp.org, 202-531-9026