RTI International - News Release - 12.19.2005
Baby Boomers Most Likely Age Group to Volunteer
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| Donna Rabiner |
Targeting boomers through workplace may be key to encouraging involvement
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. -- America's 77 million baby boomers have the highest volunteer participation rate of any demographic group, according to a recent study by researchers at RTI International.
The study found that nearly one-third of all baby boomers, those born between 1946 and 1964, serve as volunteers in a variety of capacities. The boomers also volunteer more hours than any other age group, except for senior citizens.
The study, funded by the Corporation for National and Community Service, was based on population surveys from 2002-2004 from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Census Bureau.
"Boomers had not previously been thought of as particularly generous in volunteering their time to community activities," said Donna Rabiner, Ph.D., who directed the study for RTI. "However, the results of this study indicate that this large, highly educated and wealthy generation is very active in their communities. If the baby boomers follow the same volunteering patterns as their parents, as they retire, we can expect their commitment to volunteer work to continue to rise."
The study found that volunteering among baby boomers is highest among those who work. Only a quarter of nonworking boomers volunteer while almost half of all part-time employees and one-third of all full-time employees volunteer. The report also found that the more educated the person, the greater the level of volunteer involvement.
Consequently, researchers recommend that nonprofit organizations target baby boomers through their workplace, encouraging professionals to devote some of their time and talents to civic opportunities.
The research also showed that although women were 25 percent more likely than men to volunteer, the gender gap was lower among baby boomers than any other age group.
"The information from this study should be used as a guide to determine how best to encourage civic involvement among baby boomers," said Annette Green, RTI's task manager for the project. "The life expectancy of baby boomers also is longer than any previous generation, so their participation in volunteer activities provides a significant national resource to addressing social and community-based problems."