Iowa Ranks 2nd in America for Volunteering
AmeriCorps also announces funding to support Iowa volunteer growth.
DES MOINES – Governor Chet Culver announced today that more Iowans are volunteering, giving Iowa the second-highest volunteer rate in the country. Iowa ranks second in the nation in volunteer rates with 38.7 percent of Iowans devoting time to help others in 2009. That surpasses last year’s rank of fifth, according to the recent “Volunteering in America” report released by the Corporation for National and Community Service.
“Last year, we challenged Iowans to serve with our Summer of Service Initiative, and it is clear that Iowans have answered that call,” Governor Culver said. “These numbers are a representation of the character of Iowans, and I am proud that our residents are committed to serving their neighbors and communities. But more is still needed – as we reflect on these successes, I want to renew the challenge we made last year and ask that Iowans continue to give their time and talents to help our fellow Iowans.”
The “Volunteering in America” report also found that Iowans are volunteering more of their time, averaging 47 hours annually, which is 11 hours more than in 2007.
Iowans devoted a total of 109 million hours to volunteering in 2009, an increase of 28 million hours compared to 2007’s total. The rise in volunteerism produces an increase of more than $560 million in services to Iowa.
The spirit of Iowa’s volunteerism is exemplified in individual cities as well. Iowa has more cities than any other state in the Top 20 of overall rankings.
Additional highlights from the report include:
· Iowa City has the second highest volunteer rate nationally for cities, with 50 percent of residents volunteering.
· Des Moines has the sixth highest volunteer rate nationally for cities, with 39.7 percent of residents volunteering.
· Iowa’s college volunteer ranking has increased from 32nd to second in the nation.
· The rate of mentoring adults has increased from 17th to fifth in the nation.
Governor Culver also announced today that more than $4.7 million in new AmeriCorps funding will be awarded by the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service to support local AmeriCorps programs. The funding will help support and manage Iowa’s volunteer growth. Each AmeriCorps position leverages more than 15 traditional volunteers. The Culver/Judge Administration has worked throughout the last three years to leverage more than 1,000 new AmeriCorps positions annually to help support volunteerism in Iowa.
For a full list of grant awards available this afternoon and the complete “Volunteering in America” report, go to www.volunteeriowa.org.
