How many Americans aged 50 to 70 want to volunteer according to Encore.org?

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According to research by Encore.org in partnership with Penn Schoen Berland, more than 25 million Americans between the ages of 50 and 70 are eager to contribute their skills and expertise through volunteering.

Understanding this demographic is key to anticipating a surge in service-oriented roles. Here are four practical points to consider as you navigate this shift in the care economy:

• Define your niche: Of the 25 million potential volunteers, approximately 4.5 million are already active in "encore careers." The remaining 21 million are in the preparation phase, meaning a significant portion of the senior population will be entering the nonprofit and care workforce within the next few years.
• Align with personal values: Research indicates that 28 percent of this demographic identifies volunteering as the central focus of their post-primary career planning. This suggests that roles should offer clear social impact rather than just time-filling activities.
• Leverage professional expertise: More than half of Americans (55 percent) view applying their specific professional skills as essential to their next life stage. For senior care, this translates to high-value contributions in areas like financial planning, medical administration, and tech support for care facilities.
• Prepare for a competitive talent pool: Because this is a crowded market for organizations seeking experienced staff, it is beneficial for care providers to develop clear, structured volunteer pathways that allow these individuals to see how their previous career translates to meaningful support in 2026.

This shift represents a major opportunity to connect highly skilled retirees with the communities and health services that need their experience.

admin · 2026-10-10 02:00:32