63% of Americans Volunteering Again After Pandemic Dip

Americans are rolling up their sleeves again, and the numbers prove it.

A new Gallup poll reveals that 63% of U.S. adults volunteered their time to charitable organizations in the past year, marking a significant seven-point jump since 2021. That means roughly 165 million Americans chose to show up and help out, even as inflation made checkbooks a little tighter.

The December 2025 survey of American charitable giving shows an interesting shift. While 76% still donated money to nonprofits, that number dropped five points since the pandemic. Volunteering, however, surged in the opposite direction, suggesting people are finding new ways to make a difference when dollars feel stretched.

For the first time since Gallup started tracking in 2001, more than half of Americans (55%) volunteered for nonreligious organizations. Religious volunteering also climbed to 39%, nearly returning to pre-pandemic levels. The trend reflects broader changes in how Americans connect with their communities, mirroring the ongoing decline in religious affiliation while showing that the desire to help others remains strong.

Blood donation held steady at 17%, with about 44 million Americans giving this lifesaving gift. The consistency shows that some forms of charitable giving remain unshaken by economic pressures or cultural shifts.

The Ripple Effect

The volunteer rebound tells a deeper story about American resilience. When inflation hit wallets hard in 2021, people didn't stop caring. They adapted, offering hours instead of dollars to causes they believed in.

This shift creates real impact. Nonprofits struggling with reduced donations now have more hands on deck to serve communities. Food banks, literacy programs, environmental cleanups, and homeless shelters benefit from this surge in human capital.

The data also reveals who's leading the charge. Wealthier and college-educated adults volunteer most frequently, as do middle-aged Americans who balance career stability with family flexibility. These patterns have remained consistent over time, showing that certain groups continue anchoring America's volunteer infrastructure.

Secular organizations are becoming the new hubs for community connection. As fewer Americans identify with religious institutions, they're finding purpose and belonging through volunteering at animal shelters, youth mentoring programs, community gardens, and environmental groups.

The message is clear: Americans still believe in showing up for each other, and they're proving it with their most valuable resource—their time.