Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 1 Great Expectations: Boomers and the Future of Volunteering VolunteerMatch User Research Study Presented by: Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins.

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 2 Acknowledgements HART RESEARCH P e t e r D ASSOTESCIA

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 3 Introduction 77 million Baby Boomers are beginning to rethink “retirement” Opportunity for a profound social legacy Will they volunteer? What makes them different? Are nonprofits interested? How will they connect?

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 4 About VolunteerMatch Our mission is to help everybody find a great place to volunteer Our popular online service welcomes millions of visitor a year Preferred recruiting service for 46,000 nonprofits Strong network of corporate partnerships

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 5 Methodology Telephone survey among 507 adults age 55 to 75 who currently do not volunteer; conducted June 12 – 16, 2006; margin of error = ±4.4 percentage points Online survey among 2,316 volunteers registered with VolunteerMatch; conducted June 12 – July 6, 2006; margin of error = ±2.0 percentage points. Online survey among 1,024 staff of nonprofit organizations that use VolunteerMatch; conducted June 9 – 27, 2006; margin of error = ±3.1 percentage points 20 in-depth telephone interviews with volunteer coordinators at nonprofits that use VolunteerMatch: 10 interviews among coordinators at nonprofits that use volunteers age 55 and older, 10 interviews among coordinators at nonprofits that do not use older volunteers; conducted August 7 – 16, 2006

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 6 What’s Next? Non-Volunteers 55+ Phone Survey

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 7 Non-Volunteers See Retirement As A New Chapter All Non-Volunteers Among Non-Volunteers 55+ Age 55 to 64Age 65 to 75 Source: Hart Survey of Non-Volunteers (N=507)

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 8 More than Half of Non-Volunteers 55+ Have Some Interest in Volunteering How interested are you in volunteering, either now or at some point in the future? Very interested Fairly interested Somewhat interested Not very interested Not sure Non-Volunteers 55+ Very/fairly interested College graduates Professionals/managers Women age Churchgoers 45% 42% 41% 39% Just 11% of non-volunteers say they have tried to find a volunteer opportunity in the past year. Source: Hart Survey of Non-Volunteers (N=507)

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 9 Among Non-Volunteers, Professionals and Women Aged Show Most Interest How interested are you in volunteering, either now, or at some point in the future? Source: Hart Survey of Non-Volunteers (N=507) Non-volunteers 55+ by Gender Non-volunteers 55+ by Occupation

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 10 Selected Most Important Reason for Volunteering “Helping Others/Making A Difference” Is Top Reason for Volunteering Help others/make a difference Contribute to cause I care about Use my skills in productive way Meet people, make friends Be involved in my community Develop new skills, experience Community service requirement Non-Volunteers 55+ Source: Hart Survey of Non-Volunteers (N=507)

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 11 Cause I care about Nearby/convenient Interesting/challenging Fits my schedule Uses my skills/experience Understand expectations Intellectually stimulating I can make a difference Has orientation/training Volunteer with friends Matches my career skills What Are Non-Volunteers Looking For? 81% 69% 70% 47% *Ratings on ten-point scale: 10 = essential factor, 1 = not at all important factor Among Non-Volunteers % 66% 63% 55% 53% Source: Hart Survey of Non-Volunteers (N=507) Factors that might contribute to a positive volunteer experience

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 12 Type of Volunteer Activity I Would Most Prefer Non-Volunteers 55+ Report Being Most Interested in Learning New Skills and Exploring New Interests Non-Volunteers 55+ Activity that helps me learn new skills or explore new interests Activity that most people can do, regardless of experience/interest Activity that makes use of my job/ career-related skills Activity that makes use of my non- career related skills, talents, interests Source: Hart Survey of Non-Volunteers (N=507)

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 13 Barriers To Volunteering Besides not enough time, which of these is the most/ second-most important reason you don’t volunteer? Non-Volunteers 55+ very/fairly interested in volunteering Haven’t found right opportunity Health/physical limitations Haven’t found anything well-suited to my skills Prefer to give back in other ways Can’t afford to volunteer Don’t know where to begin Previous volunteering experience not positive Not interested All Non-Volunteers % 40% 23% 25% 17% 8% 23% Source: Hart Survey of Non-Volunteers (N=507)

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 14 Are Older Volunteers Different? VolunteerMatch User Research

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 15 Volunteering Attracts People of All ages Source: Hart Survey of Volunteers (N=2,316) All Users by Age

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 16 Gender Differences by Age Source: Hart Survey of Volunteers (N=2,316) Users by Age and Gender

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 17 Average Hours of Volunteering Per Year by Age Group Source: Hart Survey of Volunteers (N=2,316) Among All Users Older Volunteers Volunteer More Average Hours of Volunteering

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 18 Volunteering Is About Identity Compared to other things you do in your life, how important to you is the volunteer work that you do? One of the most important things in my life Very important Somewhat important Not very important 69% highly important Source: Hart Survey of Volunteers (N=2,316)

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 19 The Importance of Volunteering Increases with Age Compared to other things you do in your life, how important to you is the volunteer work that you do? Very Important One of the Most Important Things Source: Hart Survey of Volunteers (N=2,316)

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 20 Selected Most Important Reason for Volunteering Help others/make a difference Be involved in my community Contribute to cause I care about Use my skills in productive way Develop new skills, experience Give back to community Meet people, make friends Community service requirement “Helping Others/Making A Difference” Is Top Reason For Volunteering All Users Source: Hart Survey of Volunteers (N=2,316)

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 21 Motivations Vary by Age What is the most important reason you volunteer? Source: Hart Survey of Volunteers (N=2,316) All Users

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 22 Older Volunteers Find Fewer Opportunities of Interest % saying they find a volunteer opportunity that matches their interests at least half the time they visit VolunteerMatch Volunteers under age 55 Volunteers age Volunteers age 65/older Under Source: Hart Survey of Volunteers (N=2,316)

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 23 Important Factors in a Volunteer Experience Volunteers 55+ Volunteers Under 55 % users rating each as very important/important Source: Hart Survey of Volunteers (N=2,316)

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 24 Older Volunteers Are Looking for Interesting & Challenging Opportunities Users 55+ Users Under 55 % users “much less likely” to volunteer if factor is NOT met Source: Hart Survey of Volunteers (N=2,316)

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 25 Older Volunteers Would Prefer to Make Use of Their Skills... which of the following statements best describes the kind of activity you prefer? Source: Hart Survey of Volunteers (N=2,316) All Users

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 26 Men are Particularly Interested in Making Use of Their Skills...which of the following statements best describes the kind of activity you prefer? Source: Hart Survey of Volunteers (N=2,316) Users by Gender and Age

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 27 Skills Are A Sticking Point for Older Men Strongly agree “I can always find volunteer opportunities that match my personal and professional skills and abilities.” All Users Somewhat agree Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree Men Age 55+ Source: Hart Survey of Volunteers (N=2,316)

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 28 Thinking ahead to the next few years, do you think you will be volunteering... Source: Hart Survey of Volunteers (N=2,316) Among Users 55+ Most Volunteers 55+ Expect to Volunteer More

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 29 The Nonprofit Perspective User Research

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 30 Capability to provide services we otherwise could not provide Increase in quality of our services/programs Cost savings to our organization More detailed attention to people we serve Increase in public support for our programs Capability to improve management/operations of our organization Volunteers Play An Important Role for Nonprofits 92% of nonprofit staff say that volunteers are very important to their organization. Among Nonprofit Staff Source: Hart Survey of non-profits 2006 (N=1024)

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 31 The More Volunteers, The More Important Their Role Is Seen For each benefit, % of nonprofit staff saying volunteers provide this to their organization to a great extent Over % 71% 67% 64% 63% 26 to % 64% 65% 62% 58% 25/fewer 64% 56% 62% 54% 49% Number of volunteers organization has Capability to provide services we otherwise could not provide Cost savings to our organization Increase in quality of our services/programs More detailed attention to people we serve Increase in public support for our programs Source: Hart Survey of non-profits 2006 (N=1024)

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 32 Nonprofits Are Looking for Volunteers Across All Age Groups Note: 54% of respondents indicated no need for a particular age range Source: Hart Survey of non-profits 2006 (N=1024) Does your organization have a particular need for volunteers in any of the following age ranges? Do you have difficulty recruiting volunteers in any of the following age ranges? Need volunteers Have difficulty finding volunteers Aged 55 and older = 27%

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 33 Most Nonprofits Are Already Engaging Older Volunteers 81% 62% Age Age Age Source: Hart Survey of non-profits 2006 (N=1024) Please indicate whether any of your organization’s volunteers fall into the following age ranges.

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 34 Finding volunteers; knowing where to look for volunteers People are too busy to volunteer Difficult to find people interested in volunteering Can’t find people with the right skills and experience People have unrealistic expectations about the work Hard to find people interested in our organization or mission Difficult to contact/get in touch with volunteers Difficult to find people who fit with our environment/culture Top Challenges In Engaging Volunteers Among Nonprofit Staff Source: Hart Survey of non-profits 2006 (N=1024)

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 35 Regular supervision and communication with volunteers Regular collection of info on volunteers’ hours/numbers Written policies/job descriptions for volunteers Procedures to match volunteers with fitting jobs Volunteer recognition activities, award ceremonies Measurements of volunteers’ impact Training/professional development opportunities Training for paid staff in working with volunteers Managing Volunteers Among Nonprofit Staff Organization’s budget size $100K/ less 65% 43% 42% 41% 26% 28% 25% 20% Over $1 M 76% 67% 64% 57% 50% 27% 26% 30% Source: Hart Survey of non-profits 2006 (N=1024)

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 36 Commenting on Older Volunteers “They have the maturity level and probably the commitment level and the responsibility level that would be perfect. I would like to tap into that market.... They've certainly got more time on their hands than the working mother who's frantic trying to take care of a houseful of kids and the household duties and everything else." “It's not so much skills that the older volunteers have. I think they have more of a sense of commitment: once they've started something, they really do see it through." “Well, they usually have more time. That’s the biggest thing… I think they've dealt with a lot of different people and a lot of different situations, so I don't think they're as easily shaken up by things in general. Now on the negative side, some of them have a tendency to be set in their ways." Source: Hart Survey of non-profits 2006 (N=1024)

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 37 Older Volunteers are Different When pressed, nonprofit staff cite a number of ways that older volunteers are different: Opportunities More reliable and mature Greater pride in their work More flexible schedules Better with people Challenges ► Established behavior ► Opinionated ► Physical limitations Source: Hart Survey of non-profits 2006 (N=1024)

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 38 Tapping the Skills of Older Adults

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 39 Event planning Fundraising/development Marketing/communications Strategic planning Operations/project mgmt Computer hardware/software Staff mgmt/team leadership Internet/e-commerce Accounting/finance Information technology Legal services HR/recruitment & training Grant proposal writing Counseling Medical/health services Nonprofits Use Volunteers for Many “Skilled” Activities Among Nonprofit Staff Source: Hart Survey of non-profits 2006 (N=1024)

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins % of NPs Want More Info on Volunteers; 70% Want More Skilled Volunteers To what extent would each of the following factors be helpful in supporting your volunteer programs? Source: Volunteer Management Capacity in America's Charities and Congregations, Urban Institute More information about potential volunteers Funding to cover cost of volunteer involvement Volunteer coordinator with stipend Greater availability of skilled volunteers Training in working with volunteers Fewer regulatory, legal and liability constraints 80% 76% 72% 71% 66% 38% Some Extent Great Extent

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 41 Not Surprisingly Older Adults Are More Likely to Have a Variety of Professional Skills Source: Hart Survey of Volunteers (N=2,316 total, 978 volunteers aged 40+) Do you currently use or have you previously used any of the following skills in your professional career? Volunteers aged 40+ All volunteers

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 42 With Few Exceptions These Skills Are Underutilized Source: Hart Survey of Volunteers (N=2,316 total, 978 volunteers aged 40+) Do you currently use or have previously used any of the following skills in your professional career? Have you ever used any of the following skills when volunteering in the past? Used skill in job Used skill volunteering

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 43 Smaller NPs Tend to Make Use of a Greater Variety of Volunteer Skills Source: Hart Survey of non-profits 2006 (N=1024) Number of different volunteer skills used by organization budget

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 44 Use of the Internet

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 45 Leveraging the Power of the Internet Source: Pew Internet & American Life Project The Pew Internet & American Life Project reports the growing use of the Internet among older adults 78% of year-olds are online 72% of year-olds are online

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 46 Non-Volunteers 55+ Internet Usage Besides , how often do you use the Internet to visit Web sites? At least once a day Don’t use the Internet Non-Volunteers % Visit Web sites at least once a week Men Women 46% 35% Few times a week/once a week Less than once a week/use only for Source: Hart Survey of Non-Volunteers (N=507)

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 47 The Internet is Making it Easier to Find Opportunities to Help Which of these have become easier since you started using VolunteerMatch? Among All Users Finding organization that needed help Finding opportunities that interest me Getting specific info about opportunities Finding a cause I care about Finding opportunities nearby/convenient Finding opportunities that fit my schedule Finding opportunities that match my skills Finding an organization that is responsive Users Age % 56% 53% 49% 47% 42% 35% Source: Hart Survey of Volunteers (N=2,316)

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 48 From Online to Offline Yes, have volunteered with an organization I found on VolunteerMatch Among Users 40+ No, but expect to within the next 12 months Have not/don’t expect to do so in next 12 months Source: Hart Survey of Volunteers (N=2,316) Have you ever volunteered with an organization you found on VolunteerMatch?

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 49 How satisfied have you been with your experiences volunteering with organizations you found through VolunteerMatch? Users 55+ Encouraging a Cycle of Satisfaction Source: Hart Survey of Volunteers (N=2,316) All Users

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 50 Empowering Nonprofits Provides valuable service to the organization Helps reach out and recruit more volunteers Makes it easier to find the right volunteers Helps find volunteers who have the needed skills and abilities Allows the organization to free up valuable resources Strongly AgreeSomewhat Agree Source: Hart Survey of non-profits 2006 (N=1024) Please rate how much you agree with each of the following statements.

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 51 Recruiting Skilled Volunteers How satisfied have you been with VolunteerMatch in helping you find highly skilled and/or experienced volunteers? All nonprofit staff Staff at nonprofits (60%) that have used VM volunteers for skilled activities Source: Hart Survey of non-profits 2006 (N=1024)

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 52 Connecting to Make a Difference Which two or three of these Internet recruiting services have you found most useful? All nonprofit staff VolunteerMatch.org Local volunteer center’s Web site Craigslist.org Idealist.org Volunteer.org VolunteerSolutions.org HandsOn Network ServeNet.org 33% of staff name only VolunteerMatch Source: Hart Survey of non-profits 2006 (N=1024)

Volunteer Match Where volunteering begins. 53 Observations The aging baby boomers represent an exceptional opportunity for civil society Older volunteers are more likely to be interested in making use of their skills and experiences Nonprofits are not yet fully tapping the skills of their volunteers The Internet is making it easier for nonprofits and volunteers to connect Choice and information reinforces satisfaction and stimulates the virtuous cycle of civic engagement