PHILADELPHIA, PA -- 07/16/07 --
Today, the National Conference on
Volunteering and Service saw the release of a new research study by
VolunteerMatch that takes a closer look at boomers and civic engagement to
find that nearly two-thirds of older, non-volunteering boomers are
interested in getting involved, yet many aren't sure where to find the
right opportunity. The study, presented with the support of the MetLife
Foundation, seeks to provide useful insights for nonprofits interested in
expanding their capacity to attract and engage this talented population.
"We see tremendous vitality and innovation in civil society today," said
Greg Baldwin, president of VolunteerMatch. "More and more organizations
understand the strength and talent of volunteers and the significance of
the opportunity with the boomer generation -- this study points to how they
can unlock that potential."
"Great Expectations: Boomers and the Future of Volunteering" explores both
the nonprofit and the volunteer perspective, but focuses on identifying the
evolving motivations, attitudes, skills and expectations of volunteers as
they mature. The study also underscores the growing use of the Internet
among older Americans and illustrates its usefulness as a tool for
connecting volunteers with local nonprofit organizations.
Among the Key Findings of the report:
Many older non-volunteers are reconsidering volunteering
-- More than half of 55+ non-volunteers report
some interest in volunteering
-- Professionals and women aged 55-64 are the
most likely to be interested
Older non-volunteers aren't volunteering because they haven't found the
right opportunity
-- 32% of non-volunteers 55+ would prefer a
volunteer activity that helps them learn
new skills or explore new interests
Older adult volunteers are more likely to appreciate the personal
significance of volunteering
-- VolunteerMatch users age 55+ are contributing nearly 100 hours a year
more than users aged 30-39 (226 hours vs. 132 hours)
-- 75% of users 55+ view volunteering as "very important" or "one of the
most important" things in their life
Volunteers grow increasingly interested in making use of their career and
non-career related skills as they mature
-- A majority of VolunteerMatch users 55+ agree that they would prefer a
volunteer opportunity that makes use of their personal or professional
skills
The Internet is making it easier for people of all ages to find nonprofit
organizations that need help
-- 66% of those surveyed report that their use of the Internet has made
it easier for them to find an organization that needed help
-- 61% report that it has made it easier to find interesting
opportunities
Positive experiences of older volunteers who found their volunteer
opportunities online -- and nonprofits that use the Web to recruit
volunteers -- suggest that the Internet can be a powerful tool for helping
more older adults find a meaningful place to volunteer.
"This study underscores the opportunity for nonprofits to engage the time
and talent of this exceptional generation and the promise of the Internet
as a tool to recruit them," said John S. Gomperts, president of Civic
Ventures and CEO of Experience Corps. "With knowledge and investment we can
transform the aging of the baby boom generation from a potential crisis
into an historic opportunity."
"Great Expectations: Boomers and the Future of Volunteering" echoes the
working hypothesis of other researchers and practitioners in the field that
older volunteers, with their desire to apply a lifetime of experience and
skill, have expectations for their volunteer commitments that don't
currently align with the perceived need for skilled volunteers among
nonprofits. The findings also suggest that knowledge and education, coupled
with a more effective communication infrastructure, can realign these
dynamics by reinforcing high expectations and empowering more organizations
to make the most of their volunteer initiatives.
To help put the report's findings into action, VolunteerMatch is
collaborating with the federal Corporation for National and Community
Service to launch a new, cutting-edge volunteer search engine aimed at
attracting more Baby Boomers and 55+ volunteers. Combining the
Corporation's experience in recruiting older adults with VolunteerMatch's
expertise in online recruitment, the new 55+ channel at www.getinvolved.gov
will help connect more Boomers with nonprofits that need their skills and
expertise.
"The coming wave of Baby Boomers is one of the best opportunities the
nonprofit sector has ever had to expand its reach and impact," said David
Eisner, CEO of the Corporation for National & Community Service. "If we do
this right, we will change the face of volunteering and find millions of
new volunteers to tackle our toughest social problems."
About the Report:
The research study was conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates over
a four-month period in summer 2006. The study included responses from
current VolunteerMatch volunteers and registered nonprofits, as well as a
national telephone survey of 55+ non-volunteers.
To read the full report, visit
http://www.volunteermatch.org/greatexpectations
About VolunteerMatch:
VolunteerMatch's mission is to help everyone find a great place to
volunteer by making it easier for good people and good causes to connect.
Its popular online service supports a social network of over a million
civic-minded users including the employees, customers and members of some
of America's most recognized businesses and institutions. The service is
the preferred volunteer recruiting network for tens of thousands of
nonprofits nationwide and is the top search result for "volunteer" on both
Google and Yahoo! In 2006 the VolunteerMatch network delivered over
75,000,000 pages of information on service and volunteering; welcomed 4.8
million visitors and supported 44,521 registered nonprofits serving local
communities across the country. VolunteerMatch is the recipient of Webby
Awards for "Activism" and "Services," and has been recognized for its
accomplishments by The White House, M.I.T., and the Smithsonian
Institution.
About MetLife Foundation:
MetLife Foundation was established in 1976 by MetLife to carry on its
long-standing tradition of corporate contributions and community involvement.
The Foundation has been involved in a variety of aging-related initiatives
addressing issues of civic involvement, intergenerational activities,
caregiving, mental fitness and health and wellness. For more information
about MetLife Foundation, visit www.metlife.org.
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Press Contact:
Jason Willett
VolunteerMatch
(415) 241-6870
jwillett@volunteermatch.org
