Young Volunteers Embrace Informal Acts of Service

Nonprofits adapt to changing volunteering habits among Gen Z and Alpha generations

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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A new survey by The Allstate Foundation and Gallup suggests that young people, particularly those in Generations Z and Alpha, are giving back to their communities in more informal and sporadic ways, such as helping others with tasks, donating goods, and raising awareness for causes they care about. This has prompted some nonprofits, like the American Red Cross, to rethink their volunteer programs to better meet the needs and preferences of these rising generations.

Why it matters

As nonprofits contend with an aging volunteer base and pandemic-related declines in participation, understanding how younger generations want to engage in community service is crucial. The survey findings indicate that traditional notions of volunteering may not fully capture the ways young people are contributing, prompting nonprofits to adapt their approaches to attract and retain this demographic.

The details

The survey found that about 8 in 10 youth aged 12-25 have engaged in some form of community service or volunteering. Among those who volunteer, the top reasons were a desire to help others, contribute to their community, and support causes they care about. However, only about 1 in 10 said all of their volunteer activities were required, while half said some were required and 4 in 10 said none were mandated. The most common forms of service were giving or organizing donations, as well as fundraising and raising awareness for causes. Nonprofits are working to provide more youth-led and self-managed volunteer opportunities that allow young people to engage in ways that fit their schedules and interests.

  • The Gallup poll was conducted from November 17 to December 1, 2025.

The players

The Allstate Foundation

A philanthropic organization that commissioned the survey on youth 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 a youth engagement nonprofit called 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 25% increase 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 leader

“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

“Young people are perhaps more aware than ever of the power of money.”

— Zoë Jenkins, Youth engagement nonprofit leader

“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 leader

“There's lots of folks who want to do traditional volunteering. There's lots of folks who want to do a one-time project. And there's lots of folks who want to maybe do something through a club or school or through their service organization. If we can continue to work hard to put all those people together, that's how we'll build that workforce of the future.”

— Matt Bertram, Vice President of Volunteer Services, American Red Cross

What’s next

The American Red Cross plans to continue expanding its network of self-run youth clubs, which allow students to manage their own volunteer activities and engagement with the organization.

The takeaway

This survey highlights the evolving nature of youth volunteerism, with younger generations embracing more informal, flexible, and self-directed ways of giving back to their communities. Nonprofits that can adapt their programs to meet these changing preferences may be better positioned to attract and retain the next generation of volunteers.