What Gender Volunteers the Most? Surprising Stats & Insights

If you’ve ever helped at a food bank or seen folks picking up trash in the park, you might’ve wondered—who’s more likely to roll up their sleeves: men or women? Spoiler alert—it’s not even close. Surveys from the last few years, like those from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and Volunteer Canada, keep showing that women sign up for volunteer work more than men do. In the U.S. alone, about 30% of women volunteered in the last year, compared to roughly 23% of men. That gap is almost everywhere you look, from local schools to massive charity events.

The reasons aren’t just about free time or kindness. Some groups, especially schools and health organizations, attract more women because of social expectations—or even pressure. Ever noticed more moms than dads helping out at your cousin’s bake sale? It’s not just a coincidence. But don’t think volunteering is “just for women.” Tons of men volunteer, especially for projects like disaster relief or fundraising runs. The catch? The stats say they often jump in when there’s hands-on work or a specific skill needed, rather than ongoing jobs that involve care or teaching.

• Breaking Down the Numbers
• What Drives Volunteering? Motivation by Gender
• Types of Volunteer Work: Who Does What
• Why the Gap? Barriers and Myths
• Getting More People Involved: Tips for Organizations

Breaking Down the Numbers

When you start looking at who actually volunteers the most, the numbers make it pretty clear. Women have consistently outpaced men in gender and volunteering stats. For example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2023 report says about 30% of women reported volunteering at least once that year, compared to just 23% of men. That may not sound huge at first, but when you spread it over millions of people, it’s a real gap.

This isn’t just a one-off finding. Pretty much every big volunteer survey finds the same thing. In Canada, Volunteer Canada’s National Survey showed women made up close to 60% of all volunteers in 2022. Similar trends pop up in the UK, Australia, and several European countries. So wherever you go, women show up more often in volunteer roles.

Here’s a quick look at some fresh numbers from 2023:

The type of volunteer opportunities also matters. Women go for causes like education, healthcare, and social services. Men are more likely to step up for sports coaching, mentoring, or disaster relief, but women still have the edge in total numbers. Even among younger volunteers, it’s the same story: more girls than boys sign up for community projects or school drives.

If you’re wondering why there’s a gap, stick around. Next up, we’ll check out what actually motivates people, and how that changes depending on gender.

What Drives Volunteering? Motivation by Gender

The big question—why do men and women volunteer differently? Let’s dig into what actually motivates each gender. There isn’t one reason that covers everyone, but studies from places like the Pew Research Center and United Way have picked up on a few major themes.

For gender and volunteering, women often say they’re pulled in by a sense of community, wanting to help friends, family, or their local neighborhoods. For example, nearly half of women in a 2023 VolunteerMatch survey mentioned “giving back” or “being asked by someone they know” as their top reason for saying yes. Emotional connections drive their choices. That’s why you’ll spot more women volunteering for causes that involve people—like tutoring or health care support.

Men, on the other hand, tend to jump in when something matches their personal interests or skills. Stuff like coaching a sports team, building projects, or helping in disaster relief, where their technical abilities or leadership get put to the test, stand out. More than a third of men in the same VolunteerMatch survey named “using my skills” or “trying something challenging” as their #1 motivation.

Here’s a handy breakdown:

One more thing: Both men and women are motivated by flexible opportunities. If the schedule fits, and it doesn’t eat up their whole weekend, they’re both likely to say yes. But women are more likely to keep coming back for long-term roles, while men tend to choose one-time or short-term gigs.

Understanding who volunteers more and why isn’t just interesting trivia. It matters if you want to recruit folks, plan events, or just figure out why your team looks the way it does. If you want to get involved, think about what really drives you—and pick something that matches, rather than choosing just because of what others expect.

Types of Volunteer Work: Who Does What

Not all volunteer gigs are the same—and who shows up really depends on the job. When it comes to volunteer opportunities in schools, hospitals, or community care, women have been leading the way. School committees, classroom helpers, meal programs, and hospital visitors? Women sign up in bigger numbers almost everywhere you check. The data from the American Time Use Survey backs this up: around 40% of women who volunteer do so in education or health-related roles, compared to less than 20% of men.

On the flip side, you see a flip in places like disaster relief or construction. Cleanup after a storm, building houses for charities like Habitat for Humanity, or coaching youth sports—these are spots where men step up more often. Skilled volunteering that taps into trades, logistics, or even fundraising events with a competitive angle also attracts more guys. They’re not always in the spotlight, but they’re there when heavy lifting is needed.

Why does this happen? Partly, it’s tradition and expectations—people still picture women in caring roles and men in physical or leadership jobs. But there’s also who gets asked. Some organizations specifically recruit based on needs and stereotypes, which keeps these trends rolling along.

If you want to try a new kind of volunteer experience, look for roles outside your comfort zone. A guy might make a big impact reading to kids, while a woman’s construction skills could stand out at the next build site. Point is, who volunteers more isn’t set in stone—there’s always room to switch it up and surprise everyone.

Why the Gap? Barriers and Myths

People love to debate why women top the charts in gender and volunteering. It’s not just about having time or being nicer. There are real, stubborn barriers and old school stereotypes that shape who feels welcome to join in—and who doesn’t.

Let’s start with the big one: expectations. Society often expects women to step up in caretaking roles, so teachers, hospitals, and even sports clubs naturally reach out to them first. It’s not about official rules; it’s just how things usually go. Many men see volunteering as something for women, especially when it involves kids or caregiving. And yeah, that mindset still shows up in surveys from groups like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations in the UK, where women say they’re asked to help far more often.

But free time matters too. Several reports point out that traditional schedules—like full-time jobs or being the main breadwinner—make it tougher for men to commit. A study from Volunteer Canada found that 58% of men who didn’t volunteer blamed work hours or family responsibilities, compared to only 45% of women. If you want a quick look, see this chart:

There’s also this myth that volunteering is only about soup kitchens or reading books to kids. The truth is, volunteer opportunities cover everything from building homes to coding websites for non-profits. Men sometimes miss these chances because they don’t get the invite, or because groups don’t talk up the positions that might actually interest them.

So, breaking the gap means chipping away at those old ideas, spreading the word about cool roles across the board, and making volunteering easy for all schedules—not just nine-to-fivers or people with loads of free time. When you match the right opportunity with the right person, the old ‘volunteering is for women’ narrative doesn’t stand a chance.

Getting More People Involved: Tips for Organizations

Let’s be real—it’s tough for groups to recruit both men and women when it comes to volunteer opportunities. The data from the Corporation for National and Community Service found that only about 26% of all Americans over 16 are signing up to help out. So, how can your organization get those numbers up, especially if you want a more balanced team?

Here’s what actually works, according to research and what’s playing out in the real world:

• Flexible Scheduling. Men often say they skip volunteering because of work conflicts. Try offering short shifts or weekend gigs instead of daylong commitments. Women also like flexibility—so it’s a win-win.
• Highlight Skill-Based Roles. Guys are more likely to jump in if the role uses their work skills (think IT support, event setup, or transport). Put those tasks front and center in your outreach.
• Make It Social. Team up volunteer gigs with group activities. Food drives, festival setup, or fundraising runs are prime examples where both men and women feel welcome and productive.
• Use Personal Stories. Sharing real experiences from men and women volunteers chips away at that “not for me” barrier. Video testimonials speak louder than flyers.
• Bust the Stereotypes. If you see the same faces over and over, rethink your ad images or who you’re sending emails to. Don’t just advertise for classroom helpers or coaches—mix up your examples.
• Give Clear Directions. Some folks skip out because they don’t know what’s expected. Post simple guides or have a buddy system so newbies can jump right in without stress.

Some groups are getting creative. According to a 2023 UK Charities Aid Foundation report, more groups are now using social media to fill volunteer opportunities because that's where both young men and women hang out. Facebook posts with straightforward calls to action—like “Help us set up this weekend” instead of “Urgently seeking volunteers”—work much better.

Check out this table for quick wins based on what works for different genders:

If you’re dead serious about upping your volunteer numbers, keep tweaking your approach and pay attention to who’s already showing up. The right message in the right place, with clear instructions, can turn even the busiest people into regular helpers.