Volunteering is an important way for individuals to give back to their communities, to meet critical needs, and to improve their own health, well-being, and access to opportunity.
Research has shown that individuals can develop important skills, networks, and opportunities through volunteerism. A few examples include:
- Studies have shown that volunteer work can lead to future earning power by providing work experience and strengthening social networks and ties that lead to jobs.
- Research from the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), entitled “Volunteering as a Pathway to Employment,” established an association between volunteering and employment, finding that:
- Volunteers have 27% higher odds of finding employment than non-volunteers.
- The relationship between volunteering and employment was strongest for individuals without a high school diploma and for those who live in rural areas.
