# Under 25s volunteer more than older age groups, GoFundMe finds

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2019/04/15/under-25s-volunteer-more-than-older-age-groups-gofundme-finds/
- Published: 2019-04-15T08:00:07+01:00
- Author: Melanie May

**Two-fifths of people aged 16-24 volunteer twice a month – double that of any other
age group, according to research by GoFundMe.**

 

The research follows [GoFundMe](https://www.gofundme.com/)’s announcement in March
this year of [a new partnership](https://fundraising.co.uk/2019/03/19/scouts-gofundme-partner-young-fundraisers/)
with the [Scout Association](https://www.scouts.org.uk/), in which it is supporting
the Fundraising badge and providing tips and resources to help Scout groups create
successful fundraising campaigns and share them online.

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Compared to the 41% of 16-24 year olds, GoFundMe’s research found that only 19% 
of other age groups volunteered time to help charities or good causes in their communities,
with three fifths (61%) of people over the age of 55 saying that they never volunteered
time for charities compared to a quarter (25%) of those under 25.

 

The research also found that younger people were more likely to believe that taking
social action such as going on marches or signing petitions can have a real impact
on the world. More than half (52%) of 16-24 year olds believed such actions can 
have an effect compared to a third (31%) of other age groups.

 

Previous [research](https://www.scouts.org.uk/media/901638/Final-impact-report-web-.pdf)
by the Scout Association has also shown that young people involved in Scouting are
more likely to take an active role in society than their non-Scout peers, with on
average, Scouts undertaking fifty-four more hours a year of community activity than
those who are not members. This research also revealed that 78% of those asked said
that because of Scouting they were more likely to help out in their local area and
feel a greater responsibility to their local community.

 

The findings come at a time when movements such as Youth Strike 4 Climate and #FridaysForFuture
are gaining ground across the globe, and also follows [a recent report](https://fundraising.co.uk/2019/04/09/childrens-perceptions-of-charity-revealed-in-new-report/)
by the University of Kent, Centre for Philanthropy and Canterbury Christ Church 
University on children’s perceptions of charity, which showed that in the eyes of
young children, supporting charities is about everyday behaviour as well as giving
money.

 

Simon Carter, Assistant Director for the Scout Association, said:

 

> “Equipping young people with skills for life is at the heart of what we do in 
> Scouting. Our aim is to help young people develop a strong sense of belonging 
> to their local community and wider society and to encourage them to take an active
> role and helping other people. The partnership with GoFundMe will play an important
> role in helping young people raise money for causes they believe in, in the most
> cost effective way possible.”

 

Helen Dagley, Head of PR and Partnerships at GoFundMe, said:

 

> “From March for Our Lives, to campaigns to fight climate change or social injustice,
> we are increasingly seeing young people using GoFundMe to take action to solve
> the problems they see in the world around them. Combined with the huge amount 
> of work the Scouts do to inspire young people to get involved in their local community,
> this exciting new partnership aims to inspire and empower the next generation 
> of fundraisers and activists.”

 * **[First funding round of Youth Endowment Fund now open](https://fundraising.co.uk/2019/06/03/first-funding-round-of-youth-endowment-fund-now-open/)**(
   3 June 2019)
 * **[Charitable activities more popular with young people than Love Island](https://fundraising.co.uk/2019/08/01/charitable-activities-more-popular-with-young-people-than-love-island/)**(
   1 August 2019)
 * **[Charity offers micro grants for young people’s mental health projects](https://fundraising.co.uk/2019/08/19/charity-offers-micro-grants-for-young-peoples-mental-health-projects/)**(
   19 August 2019)

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