Biggest List of Humanist Inspirations to Volunteer
Barriers to volunteerism
The 2024 data shows that formal volunteering is rebounding. Over 28 percent of Americans volunteered through an organization between September 2022 and 2023, an increase of five percentage points from the historic low documented in 2021.
Collectively, formal volunteers served an estimated 4.99 billion hours and contributed over $167.2 billion in economic value, which sounds great - yet still, less than a third of the adult population of the United States engages in volunteerism. By the way, here in Florida we are ranked last as the state with the lowest volunteerism rate (22.8%); among metropolitan areas, Orlando is ranked 41 (out of 50 cities studied) with a rate of 24.6%. What we do matters. While there may be things not captured in the data, we have to wonder - what feeds these low numbers? Why isn't everyone investing time in their communities?
Some common barriers to volunteerism may be personal (time, lack of awareness, transportation, financial, health); structural (rigid scheduling, inaccessible locations, unwelcoming culture, etc.); or societal (mistrust of organizations, perceived lack of impact, generational trends, cultural expectations).
Those of Atheist, Humanist, or other Secular Identities (AHoSI) – as well as adherents to minority religions – can face additional barriers. Many often hesitate or decline to volunteer, donate, seek employment in social service – or even seek needed assistance – because so many charities are faith-biased organizations with expectations of Christian alignment. They may say they welcome everyone, but pipe Christian music or have décor specific to their own faith, creating signs and signals that others are not welcome.
Even if branding themselves as welcoming and inclusive, such faith-biased organizations can cause anxiety about the potential of being discriminated against or being compelled to participate in someone else’s religious ritual. No one should have to pray to someone else’s G/god(s) in order to give or receive help.
The number of secular Americans continues to increase daily, now at 28% according to the 2024 Pew Research Center's Public Opinion Reference Survey. For charities, how will the continuing demographic shift impact your services? Your donation revenue? Your business model?
Orlando Celebrant offers workshops for businesses, non-profits, or other organizations to talk about inclusion for all religious, secular, and spiritual identities.
Not only CAN everyone make a difference, but look at the amazing benefits to your own life!
When you improve the community around you, you improve your own world. No matter what your passion or interests, there are ways that you can use YOUR talent and skills, whatever YOUR availability, and whatever YOU are interested in to guide your decisions about where to invest your time and donations.
How do you find a project that is meaningful to you? Start with a list of interests (like homelessness, hunger, animals) and google search to find volunteering organizations & non-profits in your area. Volunteering organizations, like the national Hands-On Network or the United Way, will provide a variety of volunteering opportunities so that you can try on different “hats” to enjoy a variety of experiences or find something that really inspires you that you want to commit to as “your” cause.
Are there non-religious groups to volunteer with? Yes! There are secular organizations and they often offer volunteering events. You can find groups through the American Humanist Association. Here in the Orlando area, the Central Florida Freethought Community regularly volunteers in our community.
Always research a group or organization before investing your time or money. make sure they are in good standing, responsible, achieve meaningful results, and align with your personal mission and values.
This is your investment; make sure it will have a good return.
✓ Personal ROI
✓ Make a Difference
Another barrier that non-religious people may face when deciding whether to volunteer is the cultural language and religious expectations around inspirations to volunteer. But there are lots of Humanist reasons to volunteer ...
Here are some reasons people give for volunteering … what resonates with you?
Builds positive emotions, which have a positive effect on personal health
Build resume strength
To add new dimensions to my life.
To add kindness and goodness to the world
Build confidence
To help others succeed
Volunteering help rectify disconnection and self-interest that harm our community.
Compassionate action is a natural expression of connection to the world around us.
To see people happy – and know I brought that.
To try new things
To expand my exposure to diverse people in my community
There are people who need help.
Flexibility of commitment to schedule and length of service – I can find a one-time event where I have time to help, and other longer term commitments that fit into my life responsibilities.
To feel connected
Flexibility – I can make a difference in a different area each month or year; in my job, I do the same thing year after year.
It is addictive.
The place I volunteer appreciates us and couldn’t achieve its mission without volunteers.
To join my friends in their volunteer activities and be part of things they care about.
Because I can.
safeguard intellect and engender curiosity in subsequent generations.
Gives me the warm & fuzzy feeling!
I volunteer when I travel
Volunteering is positive for your mind, body, and spirit.
It saves me money on entertainment and activities.
To uplift others.
To combat depression.
To take on responsibilities.
To see the success of the agency, and know I was part of that. Like watching a tree grow when you help plant it.
To do something I’m good at.
I meet new clients for my business.
To overcome my disabilities – there are always ways I can make a difference for others, not in spite of my chair, but because that empowers me to help even more, to inspire more people, and to increase the impact of my service in so many ways.
Because it must be done.
Our family volunteering together brings us closer.
To add positive, meaningful experiences to my collection of great memories.
Volunteering is the ultimate payback to those who helped me on the road to success.
It is an essential Human responsibility
To see my impact.
Volunteers rock. I wanna rock.
To have a place in the world, a voice, a meaningful existence.
Instilled values and deeply held beliefs about helping others
To demonstrate gratitude for what I have.
Expand my social circle
To show you believe something requires action on your part; that genuineness is what convinces others that there is value to your advocacy.
To gain perspective on my own life
Keeps me from feeling isolated.
To recharge!
It makes me feel alive.
I can take meaningful action.
To exercise my rights, responsibilities, and personal power
To put words of caring into action.
To see any animal or person suffering as if no one cares and not act? NOT ME.
To step outside of my comfort zone into the zone of possibility where all the good stuff happens.
I want my life to have value.
To learn about people, teamwork, compassion, and about myself.
Karma – so good things will come back around to me and those around me.
Meet like-minded, motivated, positive people
It brings me closer to my community
Because I love my city and my country
To act in a way consistent with my principles: Integrity.
Fulfill a personal sense of purpose
Unique opportunities and experiences
To be empowered
To escape daily life
To gain a different perspective
Investing your time rather than simply spending it.
Providing a resource to the community by donating time so that money needed to accomplish that task can be spent on local improvements and needs.
Networking
To help someone
To help the environment.
To give a voice to someone who is marginalized.
To create hope
To impress your mom.
To feel needed
To enjoy meaningful conversation.
In a world full of problems, to be part of the solution.
To keep busy in a productive way.
To feel proud of yourself.
For a feeling of belonging.
To have a sense of achievement.
To repay a debt.
To be an agent of change.
Giving back and volunteering is part of my positive personal branding
To donate your talents or professional skills
Because of personal experience with a cause.
To make a stand for others.
For escape.
To be a challenge
I respect people who volunteer. I want to be one of those people.
For fun!
To have an excuse to do what you love
Volunteering is therapeutic
I talk the talk, so I walk the walk.
When I sponsor an activity and provide volunteers, my store gets recognition which builds the confidence of our customers and brings in new customers.
Defeat boredom.
Overcome financial challenges by participating in free, fun activities that make a difference – great for family activities.
To make a difference
Be active!
It makes you feel good.
To see more of our community – learn about the “hidden” people
To meet the people we refer to as “people in need” and learn someone’s story and understand the person behind the face of the “in need” label.
To make friends
To meet people who share our values and interests
To strengthen our community
To learn about one’s self – hidden talents, strengths, abilities, and impact
To learn about resources available in our community and how they impact others.
Show someone in need that they are not alone and that the community cares about them
Test out a career option or personal interest
It adds value to my life
To give back resources that we or others we know have utilized
Serving with diverse people to make a difference builds bridges across differences
Understanding community needs enhances personal empathy and self-efficacy
Share your talents with others
Demonstrate commitment to a cause
Gain leadership skills
Perform civic duty
Bonding with friends, relatives, or significant others
Be exposed to new ideas
Grow in your understanding of the challenges of others
