Independent Sector, in partnership with Do Good Institute, has just released the new Value of Volunteer Time of $27.20 an hour.
Volunteers are critical assets to civil society and all of our communities, especially in light of COVID-19. Board members, committee members, and community volunteers contribute in unimaginable ways. This year, we’ve seen volunteers step up to provide front-line service as our nation faces crisis. Whether it is providing food to people experiencing homelessness during COVID-19 or water to protesters fighting racial injustice, nearly 63 million volunteers are working alongside nonprofit staff to provide essential services to the people who need it the most.
The recent update to the Value of Volunteer Time was done in partnership this year with the University of Maryland’s Do Good Institute and recent graduate of the School of Public Policy, Michael Sousane, who revisited the methodology used in prior years and updated the assumptions behind the method.
The Current Estimated National Value of Each Volunteer Hour Is
$27.20
Updated July 2020
Volunteers in the United States are 63 million strong and hold up the foundation of civil society. They help their neighbors, serve their communities, and provide their expertise. No matter what kind of volunteer work they do, they are contributing in invaluable ways.
Why Do We Calculate a Value of Volunteer Time?
We know putting numbers to volunteer hours will never do them justice, but it is just one way for us to show the contributions individuals and organizations have made in our communities. The estimate helps acknowledge the millions of individuals who dedicate their time, talents, and energy to making a difference. Charitable organizations frequently use this estimate to quantify the enormous value volunteers provide.
Additionally, each state has a unique value. You can explore in-depth state and historical data by filling out the form below. Learn more about the methodology.
How You Can Help?
Independent Sector has long held the position that Congress should raise the volunteer mileage reimbursement rate. Businesses can reimburse their employees at a rate of 54.5 cents per mile, but volunteer mileage has been fixed at a mere 14 cents per mile for over two decades. This federal law hurts nonprofit organizations’ ability to attract this valuable resource by severely limiting how much they can reimburse volunteers for donated mileage. Contact your members of Congress today and ask them to raise the volunteer mileage reimbursement rate.
Source: https://independentsector.org/value-of-volunteer-time-2020/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=VOVT%20Announcement&utm_content=VOVT%20Announcement+CID_5b3c325f38682161e5898fb7f39d7018&utm_source=Email%20marketing%20software&utm_term=Learn%20more%20about%20the%20Value%20of%20Volunteer%20Time (This website also offers access to volunteer hours by State.)