Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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A new survey by The Allstate Foundation and Gallup suggests that young people, especially those in Generations Z and Alpha, are engaging in community service and volunteering, though often in more informal and sporadic ways than traditional volunteering. About 8 in 10 young people aged 12-25 have participated in some form of community service, with helping others, contributing to their community, and supporting causes they care about as major motivators. This has prompted some nonprofits, like the American Red Cross, to adapt by offering more flexible, youth-led volunteer opportunities.

Why it matters

As nonprofits contend with an aging volunteer base and pandemic-related declines in participation, understanding how younger generations approach community service is crucial. The survey findings suggest that while young people may not be engaging in traditional volunteering as much, they are still giving back in meaningful ways that should be recognized and supported by nonprofits looking to build a volunteer pipeline for the future.

The details

The survey found that about 7 in 10 young people said they’ve helped someone with a task at least a few times in the past week, indicating they view service as an ingrained part of daily life rather than just an extracurricular activity. Only about 1 in 10 said all of their volunteer work was required, while half said some was required and 4 in 10 said none was mandated. The most common form of service was giving, with about half of respondents saying they donate or organize donations of food, clothing, or other items. Nonprofits like the American Red Cross have seen a 25% increase in Gen Z volunteers from 2024 to 2025, which they attribute to greater participation in their self-run youth clubs that allow students to manage their own engagement.

The Gallup poll was conducted from November 17 to December 1, 2025.The American Red Cross reported a 25% increase in Gen Z volunteers from 2024 to 2025.
The players

The Allstate Foundation

A philanthropic organization that commissioned the survey on young people’s volunteering habits.

Gallup

A research and polling company that conducted the survey on behalf of The Allstate Foundation.

Zoë Jenkins

A 22-year-old who oversees recruitment for the youth engagement nonprofit Civics Unplugged.

Greg Weatherford II

The Director of The Allstate Foundation and Social Impact, who leads youth empowerment initiatives.

Matt Bertram

The Vice President of Volunteer Services at the American Red Cross, which has seen a surge in Gen Z volunteers.

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What they’re saying

“When we typically think of service it can be very narrow. Of, like, kids picking up litter or engaging in food drives. That all definitely counts as service. But I think for me, how I think about it is just people helping other people. And that’s, I think, a really broad bucket.”

— Zoë Jenkins, Youth Engagement Nonprofit Recruiter

“We so applaud the young people that build complex nonprofits that solve complex issues. Equally important is the young person that’s taking time to write a letter to a classmate who may just be needing to have some extra encouragement as they get ready to take their school test or just navigate a new semester.”

— Greg Weatherford II, Director of The Allstate Foundation and Social Impact

“It’s not that young people don’t care. We’re not necessarily providing the right opportunities that actually let young people feel like they’re showing up as their full selves.”

— Zoë Jenkins, Youth Engagement Nonprofit Recruiter

What’s next

The American Red Cross plans to continue expanding its self-run youth club model to engage more young volunteers, and The Allstate Foundation aims to direct more funding toward the development of youth-led volunteer opportunities.

The takeaway

This survey highlights the evolving nature of volunteerism among younger generations, who are embracing more informal, everyday acts of service. To effectively engage this demographic, nonprofits will need to adapt by offering more flexible, youth-led volunteer opportunities that align with how young people want to give back to their communities.