Volunteer Gender Statistics (2026)

Women volunteer at significantly higher rates than men in the U.S.—32% vs. 27%—a persistent 5-point gap. Explore 2026 gender trends in volunteering, informal helping, and sector-specific participation patterns.

Volunteering in America remains profoundly shaped by gender. Men volunteer at lower rates than women—27% vs. 32% in 2023 —a pattern that has remained relatively consistent over the past two decades . Understanding these gender dynamics is essential for nonprofits aiming to build diverse volunteer bases and maximize community impact. This analysis is part of our volunteer demographics statistics hub, where we track participation trends across race, age, gender, and education.

Methodology note: This report draws on data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics Current Population Survey, AmeriCorps volunteer surveys (2022–2023), academic research, and UN Volunteers studies. All figures cited reflect formal and informal volunteering as defined in the latest available national surveys. Rates vary by survey method (annual vs. monthly participation), so comparisons across sources account for these methodological differences. This is a living report, updated annually as new data becomes available.

Key takeaways

32 % of women volunteer formally vs. 27% of men

58 % of volunteers globally are women

30.9 % formal volunteering rate for U.S. women (2023)

5 percentage-point gender gap (persistent for 20+ years)

The persistent gender gap: Who volunteers in America?

The American volunteer workforce exhibits a clear gender skew. Women were more likely to formally volunteer than men (30.9% vs 25.6%) in recent years, and in the US, 34% of women volunteer, compared to 26.5% of men—that's 44.6 million women compared to 32.7 million men . This translates to a consistent 5–6 percentage-point gap in formal volunteering participation.

Out of volunteers, 58% were female, while male participation accounted for 42% globally, though the U.S. gender split is somewhat more balanced. Despite decades of diversity efforts, this 5 percentage point volunteering gap between men and women has been relatively consistent over the past two decades , suggesting structural rather than cyclical factors at play.

Women (formal) 30.9%

Men (formal) 25.6%

Women (informal) 54.5%

Men (informal) 54.0%

Formal vs. informal volunteering by gender (2023). Source: USAFacts

Formal vs. informal volunteering: Where do the genders differ?

The gender gap narrows—or even disappears—when we examine informal volunteering (helping neighbors, running errands for friends, informal childcare). Women and men volunteered informally at about the same rate (54.5% and 54.0%) . This suggests that women's traditional advantage in volunteering is concentrated in formal, organizational settings.

Women are more likely to volunteer informally compared with men, but there is no gender difference in formal volunteering in some regions. In England, 30% of women volunteered informally in the past month compared with 22% of men . The takeaway: women dominate organized nonprofits, but gender participation evens out in ad-hoc neighborhood help.

30.9%

25.6%

54.5%

54%

Gender participation: formal organizations vs. informal helping. Source: USAFacts (2023 AmeriCorps/Census data)

Why men volunteer less: Motivations, barriers, and context

Research suggests multiple explanations for the persistent male underrepresentation. Men are often conditioned in America to think that they should devote all of their energies to generating income , which crowds out volunteer time. Additionally, women report stronger motivations to help others, but men report more of the financial resources that make giving and volunteering possible —highlighting different pathways into service.

Men are most likely to volunteer by fundraising, providing food, or mentoring youth, and men are more likely to volunteer as sports coaches (13% vs. 5%) . Importantly, dads are more likely to volunteer (33%) than men without children (24%) , suggesting that family connections unlock male participation.

Employment status also matters. Overall, employed men are almost 10 percentage points more likely to volunteer than unemployed men, even though a lack of time is often the most cited reason for not volunteering —a counterintuitive finding that points to identity and social capital, not time scarcity alone.

All men 27%

Fathers (with children) 33%

Men without children 24%

Men with bachelor's degree 42%

Male volunteering rates by family status and education. Source: American Institute for Boys and Men (2023 CPS)

Sector segregation: Where men and women volunteer

Women and men do not volunteer in the same sectors. Women are more likely to volunteer for organizations in the areas of social and health services, while male volunteer participants are often found in political, economic and scientific fields . This segregation is especially stark in certain roles.

Men make up 89% of volunteer firefighters and about 75% of youth sports coaches , yet more than 70% of children on the Big Brothers Big Sisters waitlist are boys because of a lack of Big Brothers . Conversely, women dominate in education, health care, and social services nonprofits, reflecting both historical recruitment patterns and gendered social expectations.

This sector imbalance has real consequences. Youth sports coaches, who are predominantly men, report coaching shortages in their communities, and similar patterns appear elsewhere, with boys and men less likely to be involved in historically important social institutions like Scouts and the YMCA . See our related guide on school volunteer screening best practices for how to recruit and vet volunteers across gender lines.

Life-course patterns: Volunteering peaks at midlife

Both men and women show similar age patterns in volunteering, with participation peaking in the 35–54 age range. In 2024, the age cohort of 35–44 years had a 32% uptake, followed by the 45–54 years group at 26% . However, women volunteer more than men at every age, and the gap is widest during these years .

Nearly 30% of men ages 30–49 report volunteering, the high point for men across the life course . Young adults (20–24) show the lowest rates, while teens maintain surprisingly high engagement, suggesting that school-based and youth-focused programs are key entry points into volunteering for both genders.

U.S. volunteer rates by age group (approximately 2015–2023 composite data). Source: Social Justice Resource Center

Education and caregiving: Hidden barriers for women

While education increases volunteering for both genders, family caregiving creates asymmetric constraints on women's participation. Only among women is the time spent on elderly care significantly and negatively associated with volunteering. Women typically spend more time providing unpaid care to aging family members, and this will further contribute to the gender gap in volunteering among family caregivers to the elderly .

Women tend to volunteer less when they are engaged in unpaid care within their homes or when they are living with disabilities . This suggests that while formal volunteering rates favor women, the underlying constraint is not male unwillingness to serve, but female time poverty due to disproportionate caregiving loads. Nonprofits tracking volunteer demographics should account for these structural factors when recruiting and retaining women volunteers.

The bounce-back: Post-pandemic volunteering recovery

Volunteering took a severe hit during the pandemic, with female participation dropping more sharply than male participation. The rate drop was substantially larger for women (8 percentage points) than men (5 percentage points) but women continued to volunteer at a higher rate . However, the sector is rebounding strongly.

28.3% of adults volunteered formally, up from 23.2% in 2021, representing a 22.1% growth rate — an exceptional rebound . This recovery underscores the resilience of volunteer culture in America. For nonprofits seeking to accelerate this recovery, volunteer screening and background checks remain essential trust-building tools, especially as organizations bring back in-person and mixed-mode programs.

What this means for your volunteer program

The 5-point gender gap in volunteering is not inevitable—it reflects recruitment strategies, role design, and organizational culture. Here are the key takeaways:

Promote male-friendly roles: Men volunteer at higher rates when roles involve mentoring, coaching, skilled trades, or emergency response. Highlight these pathways explicitly in recruiting materials.
Address caregiving constraints: Women juggle unpaid care alongside formal volunteering. Offer flexible, event-based roles and virtual options to accommodate caregivers.
Leverage fatherhood: Fathers volunteer at 33%, well above the male average. Family-oriented volunteer opportunities unlock male participation.
Target education level: Education is the strongest predictor of volunteering for both genders. Nonprofits should develop partnerships with colleges, alumni networks, and professional associations.
Implement robust volunteer screening: As you diversify your volunteer base, secure background checks and identity verification protect both volunteers and clients. VolunteerBadge offers $5 FCRA-compliant background checks with no monthly fees—making it affordable to screen every volunteer, regardless of gender or role.

Learn more about recruiting and retaining diverse volunteers in our comprehensive volunteer demographics report and school volunteer screening guide. For organizations coordinating youth programs, see also back-to-school volunteer statistics and youth coaching participation data.

Download the data

Access all the statistics, sources, and year-over-year trends from this report in an Excel-ready format.

⬇ Download the data (.xlsx)

Frequently asked questions

Q: Why do women volunteer more than men?
A: Multiple factors contribute. Women report stronger "helping" motivations, face stronger social expectations to volunteer in care-oriented roles, and are often the primary organizers of family-based community involvement. Men tend to volunteer when roles offer clear goals, public recognition, or technical skill development. Neither gender "prefers" volunteering; rather, organizational structures and cultural norms shape participation differently by gender.

Q: Is the gender gap shrinking?
A: No. The 5-point gap has remained stable for over 20 years despite efforts to increase male volunteering. However, the gap is narrower in informal helping (essentially zero) and among certain sectors (emergency services, sports coaching). Progress is most likely when nonprofits deliberately design male-friendly recruitment and roles.

Q: What percentage of volunteers are women in my nonprofit?
A: According to recent surveys, women make up approximately 58–64% of formal nonprofit volunteers nationally, though this varies sharply by sector. Health and social services nonprofits skew heavily female (70%+), while emergency response and technical roles skew male (70–89%). Conduct a gender audit of your own volunteer base to understand your starting point.

Q: Do women or men donate more hours?
A: Research captures whether someone volunteered, not intensity. Both genders show similar informal helping rates (54%), suggesting that when roles are equally accessible, participation evens out. Women dominate formal nonprofit roles, but data on hours-per-volunteer by gender is limited.

Q: How can I attract more men to my nonprofit?
A: Emphasize skill-building, achievement goals, and public recognition in recruitment. Offer mentoring and coaching roles. Create team-based opportunities (emergency response, construction projects). Recruit through father-focused and men's organizations. Partner with youth sports leagues, Scouts, and alumni networks where men already congregate.

Q: Should I screen male and female volunteers differently?
A: No. Identity verification and background checks should apply uniformly to all volunteers, regardless of gender, role, or tenure. Risk assessment is about the activity, not the volunteer's gender. Equal screening builds trust and protects the communities you serve.

Sources & references

Changelog:

First published: August 2026 | Last updated: August 12, 2026

This is a living report, refreshed annually as new AmeriCorps, Census Bureau, and Independent Sector data becomes available. The statistics and trends presented here reflect the best available volunteer research as of the publication date.

Educational, not legal advice: This report is provided for informational purposes to help nonprofits understand volunteer demographics and trends. It does not constitute legal advice. Consult your organization's legal counsel regarding volunteer policies, background screening requirements, and compliance obligations specific to your jurisdiction and mission.