Studies and Publications

Volunteerism in the United States
Bureau of Labor Statistics
This survey was first established with a baseline of September 11, 2001 to collect data on volunteerism on an annual basis. The survey on volunteering is collected through a supplement to the Annual Current Population Survey (CPS). The CPS is a monthly survey of 60,000 households that obtains information on employment and unemployment among the nations civilian non-institutional population age 16 and over. This level represents an increase from 59.7 million in the year after 9/11 and from 63.7 million from September 2002 to September 2003. About 64.5 million people or about 28.8 percent of the population age 16 and over, volunteered through or for organizations from September 2003 to September 2004.

The Civic and Political Health Of The Nation: A Generational Portrait
CIRCLE
This study describes the civic and political behavior of the American public, with a special focus on youth ages 15 to 25. It looks at a panorama of 19 core activities — ranging from voting to volunteering to signing petitions — and at many other political attitudes and behaviors. The report describes these activities, who is doing them, and how they vary by age group.

Serving Country and Community: A Longitudinal Study of Service in AmeriCorps
Corporation for National and Community Service
The report is an evaluation of the long-term impact of AmeriCorps participation on members' civic engagement, education, employment, and life skills. The study compares changes in the attitudes and behaviors of AmeriCorps members over time to those of similarly interested individuals not enrolled in AmeriCorps, controlling for interest in national and community service, member and family demographics, and prior civic engagement.

A Nation Of Spectators: How Civic Disengagement Weakens America And What We Can Do About It
National Commission on Civic Renewal
A report issued by the National Commission on Civic Renewal co-chaired by William J. Bennett Sam Nunn addresses concerns about citizens' disengagement from the civic realm, and from its moral underpinnings. In addition, it also examines the activities of individuals and groups across the country, recognizing signs of a nascent movement for civic renewal. To help strengthen these efforts, the reports suggests some practical steps that citizens can take to improve civic life.