A new study on rates of volunteerism confirms what I see going on around this city every day: people are giving their time to their communities!
The Corporation for National and Community Service ranked Rochester NY third in the country for volunteerism. The organization’s 2014 Volunteering and Civic Life in America report looks at volunteering and civic activity in all 50 states and the 51 largest metropolitan areas.
In 2013 34.9% of Rochesterians volunteered, providing on average almost 40 volunteer hours annually per resident. When you break it down by age group, our baby boomer population ranks first in the nation (39% volunteer in Rochester). Our older adult population ranks first too, at 28%. Millenials rank fifth, with 28% volunteering.
How are residents volunteering their time?
30% of volunteer hours are spent fundraising.
21% is spent providing professional or management expertise.
20% is dedicated to general labor.
19% is spent collecting, preparing, serving & distributing food.
Where are residents volunteering their time?
Religious organizations made up the biggest slice of volunteerism pie.
The top 4:
Religious organizations: 36%
Educational organizations: 20%
Health organizations: 15%
Social services: 12%
Which two cities ranked above Rochester?
Minneapolis, where about 36% of residents volunteer. And Salt Lake City, where 35.1% volunteer.
Unlike Rochester, New York state as a whole didn’t fare so well. It ranks 50th for state volunteer rates. Just under 20% of residents in the state volunteered in 2013. Utah is the top state; 44.6% volunteered.
And there is one category that makes me a bit sad — “Active in Neighborhood.” Only 8.8% of residents in Rochester are active in their neighborhoods. The national average is only 8.2% and that’s darn disappointing. Salt Lake City is at 18.5%; Portland, 13%; Austin, 11.9%. Even those numbers are surprisingly low.
Our neighborhoods are where it all starts! They greatly impact our daily quality of life. Even if you aren’t social and like to stick to your own business, you should know your neighbors and vice versa. Most neighborhoods around here have neighborhood organizations, some more active than others. They are an important part of the glue that holds our neighborhoods together. Neighbors watch out for one another and advocate for the neighborhood as a whole. You should at least be on the email list. And if there isn’t an email list, start one! The same goes for a neighborhood organization.
Now back to the third in the nation for volunteering part, because that is indeed news worth sharing!
Rochester ranked second for rates of volunteering last year (35%). But third in the nation this year still isn’t too shabby! Way to go, Rochesterians!
Written by: Renee
Tags: rochester philanthropy, giving in rochester, volunteering in rochester, corporation for national and community service, neighborhood organizations rochester,
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