Volunteering in Ireland: its economic contribution and the challenge for the future Freda Donoghue Policy Research Centre National College of Ireland Dublin © National College of Ireland/Johns Hopkins University 2000

The Johns Hopkins Study The PRC is the Irish partner and one of 22 countries in the Johns Hopkins Comparative NonProfit Sector Project, Phase II The Project is the first of its kind to systematically analyse the scope, structure, financing and role of the nonprofit or voluntary sector world wide First findings released November Irish findings published in Uncovering the NonProfit Sector in Ireland, in June 1999 © National College of Ireland/Johns Hopkins University 2000

Structural/Operational Definition of the Nonprofit Sector Organised Private or non governmental Non-profit distributing Self governing Voluntary © Salamon and Anheier 1996

Data Sources Employment & Expenditure Census 1996 Average Wage Data Survey on Volunteering Income National Accounts Annual Reports National Lottery Survey Data © National College of Ireland/Johns Hopkins University 2000

Data Types Income Expenditure Employment © National College of Ireland/Johns Hopkins University 2000 Amount Source Amount Paid (employees) Unpaid (volunteers)

Some Findings Nonprofit sector is economically significant expenditure in 1995=£3.3bn or 9.5% GNP Paid Employment 12.2% of non-agricultural workforce Volunteers are a valuable asset but may be an endangered species © National College of Ireland/Johns Hopkins University 2000

Volunteers: a Valuable Asset In 1995 volunteers valued at £470m Their contribution increases expenditure to £3.78bn or 11% of GNP 33,690 (FTE) % of total employment in nonprofit sector 2.8% of non-agricultural workforce Increase total employment in sector to 15% of non-agricultural workforce © National College of Ireland/Johns Hopkins University 2000

Volunteers: a Valuable Asset 21% of employment in nonprofit sector Some sub-sectors heavily dependent –73% employment in social services –55% employment in culture and recreation –40% employment in development and housing –37% employment in international activities –34% employment in civic and advocacy © National College of Ireland/Johns Hopkins University 2000

Volunteers: a Valuable Asset In ,690 (FTE) volunteers –> Mining and turf (5,600) –> Electricity, gas and water (13,200) –> Other industrial (26,000) Similar to Public Administration and Defence (34,900) Volunteers mean that employment in the nonprofit sector is greater than in Retail Distribution © National College of Ireland/Johns Hopkins University 2000

Volunteers: an Endangered Species? Ireland = 2.8% of non-agricultural workforce EU = 4.2% Netherlands = 6.63% UK = 6.35% US = 5.67% France = 5.12% Germany = 3.78% © National College of Ireland/Johns Hopkins University 2000

Volunteers: an Endangered Species? Proportion of Population Volunteering % % % Significant decrease in six years Economy booming and paid employment rising © National College of Ireland/Johns Hopkins University 2000

The Challenge If strategic philanthropy is to develop in Ireland, volunteering as an important part of that will need attention in order to ensure its long-term viability © National College of Ireland/Johns Hopkins University 2000