The estimated dollar value of volunteer time for 2009 is $20.85 per hour, according to nonprofit association group Independent Sector. This represents a 60 cent increase over the previous year.

According to the Independent Sector website, “The estimate helps acknowledge the millions of individuals who dedicate their time, talents, and energy to making a difference. Charitable organizations can use this estimate to quantify the enormous value volunteers provide.

According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, about 61.8 million Americans, or 26.4 percent of the adult population, gave 8 billion hours of volunteer service worth $162 billion in 2008 (the 2009 numbers will be released on June 15).”

More on how this number is calculated and state-by-state breakdowns, and historic value trends is available from Independent Sector’s website at: http://www.independentsector.org/volunteer_time