When broad backs and helping hands are needed during disasters, not many would pause to put a dollar amount on the efforts of their volunteers—they’re invaluable. Still an hourly wage estimate is handy when it comes to computing donation matches or just trying to quantify what an organization would spend if it couldn’t rely on volunteers. In 2008, that would have been about $20.25 per hour, according to a statement from Independent Sector.
“…This estimate provides one way to quantify America’s growing spirit of volunteerism and commitment to service,” stated Independent Sector President Diana Aviv.
Independent Sector, a sort of industry association for charitable organizations, developed the value of a volunteer hour by averaging earnings—based on Bureau of Labor reports—for non-supervisory production positions in the private sector. A 12 percent increase is also added to account for fringe benefits, according to the website.
The group has compiled hourly volunteer values stretching back to 1980 (when volunteers rated a mere $7.46 per hour), as well as state-by-state values, which in 2007 ranged from $10.56 in Puerto Rico to $28.04 in New York.
Guidance on using the figures in grant applications and financial statements is also available.