Montana ranked eighth in nation for volunteering
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News from Serve Montana, Governor’s Office of Community Service
HELENA — AmeriCorps, the federal agency for national service and volunteerism, recently named Montana as the eighth ranking state for formal volunteering in the nation as highlighted in the latest Volunteering and Civic Life in America research.
Montana’s formal volunteering rate has increased more than six percentage points in just two years. In 2023, 343,982 state residents, (a rate of 32%), volunteered through an organization, contributing $843.4 million in economic value.
Other Montana highlights:
98.9 percent of residents talked to or spent time with friends or family.
68.0 percent of residents informally helped others by exchanging favors with their neighbors.
79.1 percent of residents had a conversation or spent time with their neighbors.
29.9 percent of residents belonged to an organization.
60.5 percent of residents donated $25 or more to charity.
“Montana represents the best of America. Montanans should feel proud to know that their neighbors and friends are looking out for their community, providing invaluable support by serving those in need,” said Michael D. Smith, CEO, AmeriCorps. “We can all learn a thing or two from Montanans.”
“Community volunteerism in Montana is a way of life,” said Sarah R. Sadowski, Director, Montana Governor’s Office of Community Service. “From helping a neighbor when the opportunity arises, to serving our many common good and youth organizations, it is an honor to all of Montana to be recognized for our civic engagement and collective impact.”
Every two years, AmeriCorps partners with the U.S. Census Bureau to conduct the most robust survey about civic engagement across the United States and over time. The data informs AmeriCorps’ Volunteering and Civic Life in America research, a comprehensive look at how Americans make a difference in their communities and promote the common good. The latest research examines trends in formal volunteering, informal helping, and other civic behaviors.
The national volunteering rate has increased more than 22 percent in just two years. This is the largest expansion of formal volunteering AmeriCorps has ever recorded and truly showcases the spirit of volunteerism is on the rise in America.
Formal volunteering involves helping others through organizations. Through local nonprofit and community-based organizations, Americans are afforded new ways to engage with their communities and foster a sense of constructive action, civic participation and belonging. Volunteers support American schools and shelters, hospitals and hotlines, food banks, and civic, nonprofit, tribal and faith-based organizations across the country.
Volunteering doesn’t always need to be formal. More than 137.5 million people – or 54 percent of Americans – helped their neighbors informally with tasks like running errands or watching each other’s children between September 2022 and 2023. This represents a meaningful three percentage point increase from previous years.
AmeriCorps is hosting a webinar today at 3:30 p.m. ET to discuss the findings. For more information about Volunteering and Civic Life in America, to read the full report, or register for the webinar visit: AmeriCorps.gov/VolunteeringInAmerica.
