As the dollar value of volunteer time reaches new heights, now is the perfect moment to explore how giving your time can make a real difference—for communities and for yourself.

New Data Highlights Growing Worth of Volunteer Time

According to a report by Independent Sector and the Do Good Institute at the University of Maryland’s School of Public Policy, the value of an hour of volunteer time rose to $39.79 in 2024, up 3.9% from 2023. This average, which includes all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, shows that three states (Massachusetts, Washington State, and California) and DC topped the $40 per hour mark. The data is based on the annual average hourly earnings estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Thinking About Volunteering? Here’s How to Begin

Beyond supporting causes you care about, volunteerism can provide personal satisfaction as well as opportunities to build and strengthen communities. With warmer weather and spring in full swing, it’s a great time to get out and volunteer. Here are a few tips to get you started:

• Pick a cause you care about. If you’re a nature lover, ask around about environmental organizations in your area. If you’d love to help animals, most communities will have shelters in need of volunteers.
• Ask what is needed. Find out what charities need most and let them know your professional skills for the best fit. Avoiding duplication of efforts is another factor charities must consider when accepting new volunteers.
• Keep an open mind. Remember that a charity might not ask you to do exactly what you want to do. Feel free to communicate your preferences, but try to be helpful and understanding as your role may change as you get more experience.
• Start small. Committing just a few hours per month would be a good start and will let you see if the volunteer opportunity you’ve chosen is a good fit. You don’t want to commit to more hours than you can handle or waste the precious time of charity staff members trying to train, coordinate and meet program demands.
• Visit give.org and verify that the charity you’re considering helping meets all 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability.

Recent Reports

We are always working with charities to publish or update reports for donors. Visit Give.org or local BBBs to check out any charity before giving. Our recently evaluated charities include:

• Appalachia Service Project
• Hope Rises International
• Autism Society of America

Finally, remember to let us know by going to give.org/charity-inquiry if you are interested in seeing a report on a charity not on the list and we will do our best to produce one.