Estado de las donaciones y el voluntariad

The spirit of giving is a core value at BioLife. Our plasma donation centers located across the globe provide donors with the opportunity to make a life-saving impact. With contributing to charitable causes top of mind, we decided to take a closer look at the factors that foster positive community engagement.

To delve into this, we conducted a comprehensive survey across the U.S., collecting responses from 2,000 Americans. Our survey covered various aspects of volunteerism and giving habits, including the frequency and quality of contributions, motivations behind volunteering, challenges faced in giving, regional trends in charitable activities, and more.

To see the full infographic, click here.

According to our survey, many Americans are embracing community engagement, with 54% of respondents having donated their time to a group or charitable cause already this year. Additionally, 31% of respondents have volunteered in the last three months.

For those who participated in volunteering, the average monthly commitment stands at 6.2 hours.

Millennials are most likely to donate their time, with 36% of respondents saying they have volunteered within the last year, followed by Baby Boomers (28%), and Gen X (26%). The youngest and oldest among us, Gen Z (8%) and the Silent Generation (2%), reported volunteering the least.

The motivations supporting American volunteerism are fittingly diverse, but one guiding principle unites most respondents: Two-thirds (66%) indicated that they give back to make a positive impact.

Personal fulfillment (49%) also emerged as a compelling motive, and 45% of respondents expressed that their ethical or moral beliefs compel them to give.

Strengthening social connections serves as a motivating factor for 22% of respondents, and 19% are driven by the opportunity to build new skills, showcasing the mutually beneficial nature of community work.

On the path to donating time, respondents cited several roadblocks, with lack of time (64%) and financial constraints (43%) presenting the biggest hurdles.

Work-related commitments (28%), lack of exposure to opportunities (20%), health or mobility issues (19%), and lack of transportation (14%) also play a role in slowing volunteer activity.

Diving deeper into how individuals learn about volunteer opportunities, our study revealed that 47% of respondents identify opportunities through local community organizations, while 46% rely on recommendations from friends or family.

Notably, one in five said that social media has inspired them to volunteer, showing that digital calls to action are quite effective.

The holiday spirit often inspires increased generosity. This season, 40% of Americans plan to dedicate an average of 6.5 hours to volunteer work leading up to New Year’s. Moreover, a substantial 57% plan to make financial contributions, with an average donation of $120.

Looking ahead, one in five respondents plan to make volunteerism part of their New Year’s resolutions.

Generosity creates a ripple effect of positive outcomes for the givers themselves.

When asked about the personal impact of donating, 45% of respondents highlighted an enhanced sense of purpose, while 36% expressed increased happiness. Additionally, 26% reported an improvement in mental wellness, 20% noted increased self-esteem and self-confidence, and 11% found that their stress levels decreased as a direct result of giving.

Volunteerism is proving to be a great outlet for those looking to make new connections in a post-pandemic world. According to respondents, 31% of volunteers said that they have made at least one close friend while donating their time.

Workplaces play a pivotal role in fostering charitable giving, with 37% of employed respondents noting that their current employer provides volunteer opportunities.

Giving back also holds significant appeal for job seekers, as 71% are more attracted to companies offering paid time off for volunteering. Additionally, 43% expect their employer to engage in philanthropy, 56% are more likely to accept a job with volunteer opportunities, and 53% would choose a lower-paying job that aligns with their values.

Although charitable giving is widespread, some states’ residents are more proactive than others when it comes to seeking out opportunities to volunteer.

Along with conducting a nationwide survey on the topic of donating time, we also took a localized look at volunteering. We analyzed Google search volume during the holiday season in order to help understand which states’ residents are the most eager to give back their time.

In a Google search analysis per 100,000 residents in each state, those living in Massachusetts, Virginia, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Delaware sought opportunities to contribute to charitable causes most frequently.

Specifically, states within the Northeast dominate the top 10, including Massachusetts (No. 1), Virginia (No. 2), New Jersey (No. 4), Delaware (No. 5), Maryland (No. 6), Connecticut (No. 7), Rhode Island (No. 9), and New Hampshire (No. 10).

Learn more about how you can give back by donating life-saving plasma, or visit a donation center near you.

In October 2023, we conducted a nationwide survey of 2,000 Americans. Respondents were asked about their experiences with donating their time as well as charitable contributions they’ve made to groups and organizations. Among respondents, 51% were female, 47% were male, and 2% were non-binary. The average age of respondents was 42. Income: Under $20,000 (17%); $20,000–$34,999 (13%); $35,000–$49,999 (16%); $50,000–$74,999 (22%); $75,000–$99,999 (14%); $100,000 or over (18%).

Total respondents: 2,000

Margin of error: +/- 3%

Country: United States (USA)

Region: All Regions

Gender: All Genders

Age of respondents: 18–85

Generation Age Ranges:

• Gen Z (age 11-26)
• Millennials (age 27-42)
• Gen X (age 43-58)
• Baby Boomers (age 59-77)
• Silent Generation (age 78+)

We analyzed Google search volume for this analysis to determine search interest for volunteering and giving back during the holiday season. Our analysis included terms related to volunteering and giving back. Then, we analyzed those terms in all 50 states during the holiday season (November–December) and calculated the average searches per 100,000 in each state.

To see the full infographic, click here.