Volunteerism: Are You Part of the 37 Percent?

“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.” — Elizabeth Andrew

San Diego is a region rich with individuals who give selflessly to lift their fellow community members up.

According to the University of San Diego Nonprofit Institute State of Nonprofits Annual Report, 37 percent of San Diego households volunteer annually, amounting to a household average of 21.9 hours per quarter.

These generous San Diegans join nearly 63 million other Americans who give their time, energy and skills to their communities.

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Celebrating National Volunteer Month

Each April, National Volunteer Month provides us an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of volunteers young and old, as well as recognize the power of their work.

In fact, The San Diego Foundation wouldn’t have as great of an impact in the region without the support of volunteers. Our Board of Governors is composed of volunteers with decades worth of professional expertise and experience. All 24 leaders are involved in community and charitable activities throughout the region because they believe in giving their time and talent to advance quality of life for all San Diegans.

We also rely on volunteer committees to support our scholarship giving and programmatic grantmaking. Without them, our work wouldn’t be nearly as impactful.

But that’s only a small segment of the hundreds of thousands of San Diegans who help build a community of opportunity throughout the region by volunteering their time and sharing their talents.

The centuries-old tradition of giving personal time to support an impact area or charitable cause is a cornerstone of community development. Whether it’s planting trees in Balboa Park or helping local youth succeed in higher education, volunteering provides us with a unique opportunity to experience firsthand the impact of our charitable giving.

If you are one of the hundreds of thousands of San Diegans who volunteer their time, thank you.

It’s because of you that the nonprofit sector is better able to serve the community and grow a vibrant region for all San Diegans.

If you’re not yet a volunteer in San Diego, we encourage you to find time in 2018 to join your peers in giving back.

No matter your passion or interest area, the San Diego nonprofit sector has you covered. Check out VolunteerMatch.org or reach out to your favorite organization to learn more.

By giving just a few hours of your time, you can make a significant difference in the San Diego community.

Find Volunteer Opportunities with Local Nonprofits

Why do you volunteer your time? Share your reasons for volunteering in the comments below!