Indicator: 75 - Volunteerism

Why This Is Important

Participation in community organizations is an excellent indicator of community vitality, and it bodes well for long-term economic growth. Adults who participate in community organizations help to establish this positive behavior as a community norm.

Where We Stand

Since 1995, a sample of Mainers has been asked: "In the past 12 months have you devoted time outside of your regular family and work schedule for…

A. Helping out in the public schools with academic or other school-related activities?
B. Community organizations that help young people such as little league, Big Brothers
or Sisters, and scouting?
C. Organizations which assist the elderly, home-bound, and people in poor health ?
D. Organizations which assist the needy or under-privileged?
E. An activity sponsored by an environmental organization?"

The percentage of respondents who said "yes" to at least one of the five was about 60% from 1995 to 2000, before rising to 71% in 2001. In the 2001 survey, the most frequently cited volunteer work was with youth organizations (39.4%), followed closely by helping in public schools (38.9%).

Data Sources and Context

Maine data for this indicator comes from the Maine Development Foundation Surveys of Maine Citizens. The 2000 Survey was conducted in September 2000 by Market Decisions, Inc.; the 2001 Survey was done between August 20 and September 6, 2001, by Strategic Marketing Services. In both years a randomly selected statewide sample of 601 households was interviewed by telephone. Survey results are available on-line at http://www.mdf.org.