Community Engagement in the Commonwealth

In 2023, Serve Virginia and the Virginia Service Foundation launched the Virginia Community Engagement Index (VCEI), a comprehensive, first-of-its-kind study to understand the state of service, volunteerism, and civic action in Virginia, and to identify community priorities. 

VCEI Data Highlights

how we serve

Every Act Matters

67% of Virginians said they’ve volunteered for an organization in the past year. But if you think that’s all service is, then think again. Every day, we use our talent, treasure and voices to improve the lives of those around us and to support organizations and causes we care about. In fact:

  • 7 out of 10 Virginians said they’ve informally helped out a neighbor in the past year — and 55% said they do so more than once a month.
  • 51% said they’ve donated money or possessions to a non-political community organization.
  • 42% said they’ve started or stopped buying products or services based on the values and practices of companies.
Why we Serve

Experience Inspires Action

42% of Virginians said they contribute to their communities because they have experience and skills they know can help others. But inspiration comes in many forms:

  • 30% said they started contributing because it was an important part of their spirituality or house of worship.

  • 28% said they started giving back because they were helped in a time of need.

  • 49% said they regularly volunteer because helping others gives them a sense of fulfillment in their lives.

where we serve

Top 4 Places Virginians Volunteer

Those who volunteered within the past year most often did so with youth or educational organizations, food pantries or hunger relief organizations, faith communities, or health-related organizations. In addition, in the past year:

  • 62% volunteered with more than one organization.
  • 80% said they volunteered at least once a month.
  • 79% said their level of volunteering increased or remained the same.
civic action

Using Our Voices

68% of Virginians said they voted in a local, state or national election in the past year. But voting isn’t the only way Virginians make their voices heard.

  • 34% said they posted or shared content on social media related to a political or social cause.
  • 26% said they originated or signed a written or virtual petition.
  • 23% said they attended a public meeting to discuss a local issue.
community priorities

Top 3 Needs Facing Communities

When considering the most pressing needs where they live, Virginians most often identified education, health and well-being and housing.

  • 49% of those who chose EDUCATION as a top priority said teacher burnout was the number one issue to address.
  • 59% of those who chose HEALTH AND WELL-BEING as a top priority said behavioral and mental health was a top-two area of need.
  • 82% of those who chose HOUSING as a top priority said affordability of rental properties was the most pressing issue to address.
learn more

The Virginia Community Engagement Index looks at the experiences and priorities of over 6,300 engaged Virginians to better understand community needs, how to create change, the impact of volunteers, and how the service sector can continue to evolve to engage more individuals in actions to help others and promote community resiliency. To learn more about the Index and how it’s being used, check out this recording from the 2023 Virginia Volunteerism Summit. 

Why we Serve

Experience Inspires Action

42% of Virginians said they contribute to their communities because they have experience and skills they know can help others. But inspiration comes in many forms:

  • 30% said they started contributing because it was an important part of their spirituality or house of worship.

  • 28% said they started giving back because they were helped in a time of need.

  • 49% said they regularly volunteer because helping others gives them a sense of fulfillment in their lives.

This material is based upon work supported by AmeriCorps under Grant No 22CABVA001. Opinions or points of view expressed in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official position of, or a position that is endorsed by, AmeriCorps.

Interactive Regional Data Dashboard

Whether you need evidence to support a proposal for new community-based initiatives in your region or are simply curious to learn more about what civic engagement looks like in your community, take a deeper dive into the Virginia Community Engagement Index (VCEI) data with this interactive regional data dashboard. Click on any of the questions below to learn more and sort responses by region and demographics, or CLICK HERE to get in touch about your specific interests in the data. 

VCEI Findings Summary

Primary VCEI insights are represented in this summary, with recommendations for individuals and organizations about using the data. 

The full findings of the VCEI can be found below in the following comprehensive reports, which detail data by a variety of demographics and response areas.

 

Let us know if your organization is interested in partnering with us to bring the VCEI data to your community.

Learn what respondents feel are the top challenges facing our communities and the most effective ways to address them. 

From “informal” acts of service to organization-based volunteerism and civic action, see how our respondents engage to affect change in their communities. 

Learn more about what motivates people to get involved and stay involved, as well as key demographic distinctions that can be used to target messaging and recruitment.  

Leveraging findings from all three data reports, this narrative summary pulls it all together with insights on what we can do collectively to build a culture of service, volunteerism, and civic engagement.