Boomers volunteer more; 
seek opportunities online 

A new study by VolunteerMatch, “Great Expectations: Boomers and the Future of Volunteering,” takes a close look at the types of volunteer opportunities older adults are looking for to provide useful insights for nonprofits that want to attract and engage Americans at or nearing retirement age. Click here to download a copy of the full report.

Based on in-depth research by Peter D. Hart Research Associates, the report explores the evolving motivations, attitudes, skills and expectations of volunteers as they mature. It 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:

• Many older non-volunteers are reconsidering volunteering. More than half of non-volunteers older than 55 report some interest in volunteering. Among these, professionals and women are the most likely to be interested.
• Older non-volunteers aren't volunteering because they haven't found the right opportunity. Of non-volunteers over 55, 32 percent would prefer a volunteer activity that helps them learn new skills or explore new interests.
• Older volunteers are more likely to appreciate the personal significance of volunteering. Over-55 VolunteerMatch users contribute almost 100 hours a year more than users aged 30-39. That’s 226 hours vs. 132 hours. 75 percent of users over 55 view volunteering as "very important" or "one of the most important" things in their lives.
• As they grow older, volunteers are increasingly interested in making use of their career and non-career related skills. A majority of VolunteerMatch users over 55 say they prefer  volunteer opportunities that make use of their personal or professional skills.
• The internet is making it easier to find nonprofit organizations that need help. 66 percent of those surveyed said using the Internet made finding an organization that needed help easier and 61 percent said it made finding interesting opportunities easier.

The report supports the hypothesis 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, according to Greg Baldwin, president of VolunteerMatch.

“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,” Baldwin said.