How The Recession Is Affecting US Volunteering

Unemployed people are spending large amounts of their time volunteering. Recent evidence of this includes:

NYC Service had 30% more visitors in February 2009 than in February 2008.
The Philadelphia Chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters had a 25% increase in inquires about mentoring from February 2008.
The Taproot Foundation, a San Francisco-based organization that places skilled professionals in volunteer positions, had more people sign up on one day earlier this year than in an entire month a year ago.

Benefits of volunteering:

Volunteering gives people something to do while job hunting that allows them to feel good about themselves.
Volunteering is a way to stay active and stay in touch.
Volunteering fills a gap in one’s job history and answers the questions, “What have you been doing?”
Volunteering can lead to new job opportunities.
Hard economic times give people a renewed sense of compassion and a better understanding of how others are struggling.
Volunteering relieves stress from constantly thinking about economic matters.
Because of the current economic climate, teens have become more aware of the needs of others and are volunteering.

The impact of increased number of volunteers on nonprofit organizations

Smaller organizations without volunteer coordinators are struggling to absorb the influx of volunteers many of whom are highly skilled.
Funding cuts can make nonprofits less able to take advantage of volunteer support.

Adapted from:

“From Ranks of Jobless, a Flood of Volunteers,” by Julie Bosman, in the New York Times, March 16, 2009