For Most Americans, Giving Means Volunteering
(ARA) - If you think giving money is the best way to support a nonprofit you care about, think again. According to a national Thrivent Financial for Lutherans survey of 1,000 American adults, nearly twice as many people say it is more important to volunteer one’s time than to give money to nonprofit groups. The survey also revealed that most Americans are moved to give because of their belief in an organization’s mission.
The survey found that half (50 percent) of Americans believe that giving one’s time is more important than giving money. Twenty-two percent of Americans said that giving money was more important, and 23 percent said giving time and money were equally important.
“Volunteering engages people emotionally and experientially,” says Brad Hewitt, senior vice president of charitable programs and volunteerism for Thrivent Financial, an organization whose members clocked more than 14 million hours of volunteer service last year. “Americans are looking for opportunities to gain new experiences and develop relationships while doing good for others. Volunteering fulfills that need in a way that simply writing a check cannot.”
The survey also revealed that people’s religious faith greatly influences their commitment to volunteerism. Those Americans most committed to prayer and regular attendance at religious services were most likely to report having volunteered with a nonprofit organization, church or school during the past 12 months. While 58 percent of those who pray daily said they had volunteered during the past 12 months, just 28 percent of those who rarely or never pray volunteered. Similarly, 66 percent of those who attend religious services weekly volunteered, while just 25 percent of those who never attend religious services did so.
While religious faith plays a key role in volunteerism, it is not the driving force behind Americans’ charitable giving. When asked to say why they gave (they could choose more than one reason), three of four Americans (76 percent) cited “belief in the organization’s mission,” 39 percent said “religious beliefs,” 21 percent said “they always had,” 7 percent cited the “tax deduction,” and 5 percent said they gave because of “peer pressure.”
“Americans volunteer with nonprofits for a variety of reasons, but it is clear that most insist on connecting with values-driven organizations,” says Hewitt. “Regardless of whether they choose to support charitable causes through financial gifts or through the gift of time, Americans are most interested in supporting organizations they trust and that improve the lives of people on a personal and local level.”
According to Hewitt, whose organization sponsored more than 63,000 community service activities last year, volunteers are needed in every arena of community life. “People often limit their thinking about volunteerism to certain obvious choices like schools, nursing homes, or sports programs,” Hewitt noted. “In fact, Thrivent Financial has found that volunteering is as unique as people’s interests, such as community gardens, zoos, theaters, airports, Bible camps, women’s shelters and more. The key is for people to find their passion and then commit their energy to serving others.”
For More Information:
To learn about volunteer opportunities in your community, contact your local volunteer center, United Way, house of worship, or call (800) THRIVENT (847-4836). For a listing of volunteer centers nationwide, visit the Points of Light Foundation.
Article courtesy of ARA Content
