This is the excitement 28-year-old Daniel Lopez felt after being given the opportunity to volunteer with his company for a national crowd-sourced philanthropic program. “Like Daniel, I volunteered so I could see good things happening,” added 34-year-old Whitney Totheroh. “I knew my actions could make a positive difference for others.”

Last summer, both Lopez and Totheroh participated on a committee comprised of nearly 120 young business professionals at State Farm^® who volunteered their time to make an impact on communities across the United States. Their work was part of the State Farm Neighborhood Assist® program. Now in its eighth year, Neighborhood Assist awards 40 causes around the country with a $25,000 grant each to support education, safety and community development projects. Committee members like Lopez and Totheroh were tasked with reviewing the submissions sent in by causes.

Totheroh says the stories she read were inspiring. “Seeing the good work people are doing in their neighborhoods broadened my horizons. They are identifying problems and making the choice to make a change.”

Lopez agreed, adding the volunteer opportunity with Neighborhood Assist also helped him professionally. “Being on the review committee, I developed a stronger work ethic, better time management and gained more perspective about the world around me.”

The experiences of Neighborhood Assist Review Committee members like Totheroh and Lopez affirms a recent survey by State Farm, stating that certain factors, including showing impact and career development opportunities, can influence volunteerism among Millennials.

According to the study, 66% of Millennials surveyed reported volunteering at least once in the past 12 months. While Millennials had a higher incidence of volunteering, they did it less often than the Baby Boomer and Mature generations. Considering national trends, the findings are noteworthy. Millennials now surpass Baby Boomers as the largest generation in the United States.* As a result, they have the biggest potential to influence volunteerism.

“I feel like there are a lot of Millennials who do something for a short time, and then move on,” said Lopez. “Maybe it’s because they don’t know how their effort is paying off. For me, Neighborhood Assist was different. I got to help communities across the country by reviewing their causes, then witness which ones got grant funding. That was really rewarding.”

“It’s so important to highlight people in this world that are doing good things,” added Totheroh. “Put good out, and you get good back in.”

Echoing the feedback of young professionals like Lopez and Totheroh, the study revealed opportunities for career development and showing the impact of one’s work played key roles in motivating Millennials to volunteer.

Other factors included: 

• Getting social: More Millennials visit websites to learn about volunteering than any other generation.

• The more the merrier: Being able to participate with friends or meet new people plays a large role in a Millennials’ willingness to volunteer

• Knowledge is power: The prospect of gaining expertise in a certain area or learning a new skill, inspires more Millennials to give back.

• Opportunities nearby: Millennials agree, they’re more likely to get involved if the organization or non-profit is close to their home or job.

“It’s about finding your passion," said Totheroh. “The opportunity to learn, be with friends, and meet new people are all perks of volunteering. Sometimes I think young people may not know how, or where to start. But one thing’s for sure. For me, the best part about volunteering is knowing I helped someone else. That’s time well spent.”

The team in Tempe, Ariz., collected items to donate to the Phoenix Children’s Hospital for families who have to stay at the hospital for an extended period of time. Donated toys, books and hygiene products help make that stay a little more comfortable.

“I understood where the parents and children were coming from on an emotional level,” Cari says of the patients and their families at the hospital. “We stayed in the hospital the entire time our daughter had the procedure. It’s a lonely experience. We benefitted from a cart that had toothpaste and deodorant and other hygiene products.

“All those things are so welcoming when you don’t want to go home.”

The team was looking for a way to connect to each other.

“We were looking at different team building activities to help boost team morale. We discussed several charities, but decided on Phoenix Children’s Hospital because it was local and we had interest in helping kids and their families,” says Katie Erickson, State Farm employee.

The team sits close to each other in Tempe but felt there was still room to get to know each other better. They made signs and alerted others about the volunteer donations collection. They took the donations to the hospital together.

“Going off campus, being with each other and not talking work was positive,” Cari says. “I feel closer to everybody after that. We were all helping one cause.”

Trying to provide donations that would be most-welcomed, some asked family members for suggestions.

“I got some ideas from my sister, who is a teacher,” says Desirae Gonder, State Farm employee. “I donated coloring books, markers, crosswords for adults and learning activity books for kids.”

As the team entered the hospital, they were struck by all the smiling faces.

“I had never been to the Children’s Hospital, but it was a very positive environment,” says Teresa Ridlon, State Farm employee. “The coordinator was appreciative of our donation because it’s important to have those hygiene products.”

“There were a lot of stuffed animals donated. For a child, that’s going to give great comfort to have something snuggly to hold onto when they’re scared and uncertain of what’s happening,” Teresa adds.

Her grandson was born a micro-preemie and was in the newborn intensive care unit for five months. “To be able to give back in a small way is wonderful.

“We’re all dedicated employees and we give a lot in our day-to-day job, but to go outside of that and give back was very rewarding.”

“For me, to focus on something positive and collect everything, leave work as a team and help a greater cause was very fulfilling,” Katie says.

April is National Volunteer Month, and this week is National Volunteer Week. April became National Volunteer Month as part of President George H. W. Bush’s 1000 Points of Light campaign in 1991.

Join the Neighborhood of Good^® and make a difference in your community. To find volunteer opportunities, visit NeighborhoodofGood.com^®.

A deep dive into this generation finds two distinct groups: those who are starting out (younger Millennials) and those who are married, have kids, or own a home (older Millennials). According to the study, only 23 percent of younger Millennials currently volunteer, compared to 46 percent of older Millennials.

These findings are noteworthy when considering national trends. Millennials now surpass Baby Boomers as the largest generation in the United States.* As a result, they have the biggest potential to influence volunteerism.

Here’s what motivates Millennials to volunteer:

• Get social: According to the study, digital communication is key. Fifty-eight percent of Millennials surveyed visited a website to learn about volunteering, (a rate that declined significantly with each preceding generation).

• Opportunities nearby: Forty-four percent of older Millennials and 34% of younger Millennials agree, they’re more likely to get involved if the organization or non-profit is close to their home or job.

• Show the impact: People want to know their work was worth it. Forty-three percent of older Millennials and 34% of younger Millennials say seeing the impact of their time and talent reaffirms their commitment to give back.

• Career development: Forty percent of older Millennials and 35% of younger Millennials said offering opportunities to help their career or job search would boost their willingness to volunteer.

• Knowledge is power: The prospect of gaining expertise in a certain area or learning a new skill inspires more people to get involved. Forty percent of older Millennials and 31% of younger Millennials say this opportunity would make them more likely to volunteer.

• The more the merrier: Both groups agree, being able to participate with friends (44% older Millennials, 35% younger Millennials) or meet new people (28% older Millennials, 22% younger Millennials) plays a large role in their decision to volunteer. In fact, one in five Millennials reported finding a significant other through volunteering!

To share volunteer opportunities, or find ways to give back, visit NeighborhoodofGood.com^® for more information.

About the Survey

In November of 2017, State Farm conducted a study on volunteerism to identify those most likely to volunteer as well as the conditions or situations where volunteerism rates are highest. State Farm surveyed approximately 3,100 U.S. adults aged 18 and older and weighted the data to match proportions in the U.S. by generation: Millennials (18-34), Generation X (35-50), Baby Boomers (51-70) and the Mature Generations (71+). This study follows a survey conducted the previous year that provided insights on how to inspire and cultivate volunteerism.

*Source: Pew Research Center tabulation of U.S. Census population projections released December 2014 and 2015 population estimates.

When motivating young people to volunteer, it’s a common question. Especially in a virtual world where communicating with thumbs is a growing norm.

But Principal Adam Sharp of Reyes Maria Ruiz Leadership Academy in Phoenix, Arizona, doesn’t mind the thumbs. Especially if they’re green thumbs. “Every school has a niche,” said Sharp. “Whether it’s sports or arts, ours is servant leadership. Look outside and you’ll see – we’re cultivating a new culture.”

On the grounds of the school, there’s a lush garden in bloom. It’s a project made possible after Principal Sharp received a State Farm^TM Good Neighbor Impact Schools Grant through Youth Service America (YSA).

“I applied for the Good Neighbor grant because I wanted a strong curriculum for doing service projects. When we get students out of the classroom and contributing to a greater good, they’re learning through doing,” said Sharp.

The idea to create a garden sprouted a few years ago. With planning and care, it quickly blossomed.

“YSA had a plan and a program for us to implement this,” Sharp said. “As a Title 1 school, many of our students are on free and reduced lunch. We wanted to focus on helping others while promoting a healthy lifestyle.”

As the garden grew, so did opportunities to serve.

“We have a garden club that’s learning to grow and cultivate food from seed to table,” said Sharp. “Students are harvesting vegetables – including some they’ve never eaten. We also have a green house. This way we can keep growing crops – even in the winter.”

Jorge Sandoval is a service-learning teacher. For him, the community garden is part of a larger conversation.

“When we think about food, we also think about hunger and homelessness,” Sandoval explained. “Many of the students have seen homeless on the streets, on the highway. In class we explore statistics, we talk about the causes and solutions. This garden is one way we can give back as servant leaders.”

Student Monica Garcia sums up servant leadership like this: “It’s teaching me to be kind and to think about others instead of myself.”

The 10-year-old is often in the community garden, caring for plants and volunteering to deliver food to families in need.

“It’s about sharing, and keeping people healthy” said Monica. “I understand this now.”

In honor of Global Youth Service Day (April 21-23), Reyes Maria Ruiz Leadership Academy students are giving back by volunteering at a local food bank. They’re also working with the community to plant flowers and bushes that attract butterflies, birds and bees to the school garden. This increases pollination and crop growth.

"Thanks to YSA and State Farm, we've been able to turn an idea into action," said Sharp. "Students aren't just seeing results, they're creating them. Any school can do this. It's about fostering an attitude and ability to serve."