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For immediate release:
July 28, 2008

Contact:
Carla Harris - 804-726-7107

More than 1.6 million Virginians volunteer 233.2 million hours

Estimated economic impact of Virginia volunteering is $4.5 billion annually

 

Richmond - Today, the Corporation for National and Community Service released its annual Volunteering in America Report, which looks at volunteering trends across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as 50 large and 75 mid-sized cities.  

Virginia's Rankings and Information:
Taking the 29th spot in state rankings, Virginia's overall rate of volunteering was 28.3 percent. In 2007, more than 1.6 million volunteers in Virginia dedicated 233.2 million hours of service to the Commonwealth.

Virginia also benefited from the intensive service of more than 33,000 people of all ages and backgrounds who are helping to meet local needs, strengthen communities, and increase civic engagement through 116 national service projects across the state. Serving through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America, these citizens tutor and mentor children, coordinate after-school programs, build homes, conduct neighborhood patrols, restore the environment, respond to disasters, build nonprofit capacity and recruit and manage volunteers. This year, the Corporation for National and Community Service will commit more than $13.9 million to support national service programs in Virginia communities.

Here's how two selected Virginia cities ranked:

Richmond:

  • Ranked 27th on the list of the nation's largest cities for its volunteering rate of 27.1 percent, compared to the 2007 national average of 26.2 percent.
  • Ranked 19th for volunteer hours per capita, having an average of 39.9 volunteer hours.

Virginia Beach:

  • Ranked 42nd in the list of the nation's large cities for its volunteering rate of 22.6 percent, compared to the 2007 national average of 26.2 percent.
  • Ranked 28th for volunteer hours per capita, having an average of 35.4 volunteer hours.

Financial Impact of Volunteering in Virginia:

Of this total:

On average (between 2005-2007), residents of Virginia annually contributed 233,152,739 hours of volunteer service totaling more than $4.5 billion ($4,548,809,944).

  • Richmond contributed more than 41,826,658 hours on average, accounting for service valued at $816,038,098 for 2007.
  • Virginia Beach contributed more than 37,781,351 hours on average, accounting for service valued at $737,114,158 for 2007.

These figures are based on the Independent Sector's annual estimation of the dollar value of a volunteer hour for 2007, which is currently $19.51.

Volunteering In America Study Information:
Based on data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau, this report presents an overview of formal volunteering at both the national and regional levels, as well as state and city rankings determined by volunteering indicators such as volunteering rate, intensity of volunteering, total hours donated, the types of activities volunteers perform, the types of organizations where people volunteer, and civic engagement. All volunteer rankings are based on a three-year average (using data from 2005-2007).

VolunteeringInAmerica.gov:
The Volunteering In America profile data is available online in an easy-to-use, interactive Web tool. When you visit VolunteeringInAmerica.gov, you can test your volunteering knowledge, learn about other states and cities and their volunteering habits, as well as seek out volunteer opportunities in your state or city. This comprehensive Web tool was launched today by the Corporation for National and Community Service.

For more information, please contact:
Virginia Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service
Nikki Nicholau, Director
804-726-7644
nikki.nicholau@dss.virginia.gov

Corporation for National and Community Service, State Office
Kimberly Frola, State Program Director
804-771-2197 ext. 23
kfrola@cns.gov

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Interviews are available upon request. For additional story ideas and information, contact Carla Harris, VDSS, 804-726-7107 or carla.harris@dss.virginia.gov.

- Published on Monday, July 28, 2008