Allstate Foundation and Gallup teamed up to conduct a study of young people (25 years of age and under) and learned that:

• 80% engaged some form of community service or volunteering
• 70% said they’ve helped someone at least “a few times” in the past week with a task
• 66% said that helping others or making a difference was “a major reason” for their volunteering
• 60% said that a top reason was the ability to contribute to their community
• 50% said that a top reason was supporting a cause they were passionate about
• 50% who reported never volunteering said that what prevented them from service was
  • not knowing where to find opportunities, and
  • a lack of time
• 50% said some of the service they gave was required, such as through school or a club
• 40% said none of their service activities were required
• 30% of volunteers said they had raised funds for a cause
• 20% of volunteers said they had raised awareness for a cause
• 10% said all of their service activities were required

Other take-aways:

• the most common form of service for young people involves giving, such as donating or organizing donations for food, clothing or other items, which doesn’t require transportation or complex scheduling
• when they do lead it is most often by choosing their own service activities
• they are less frequently given the chance to help decide how service will be accomplished, set goals, take charge of an activity or plan the experience
• we are not necessarily providing the right opportunities to let young people feel like they’re showing up as their full selves
• Red Cross has seen a 25% increase in Gen Z volunteers

Food for thought in designing your service projects and messaging to attract new members.