While seniors (65+ years) made up the biggest group of past year volunteers (24.5%), the age group with the greatest likelihood of volunteering were young adults (18-24 years). The motivation to volunteer also differed by age group. For instance, young adults were more driven by career motives (i.e., volunteering as a way to improve career prospects), whereas seniors were more likely to adopt social motives (i.e., volunteering as a way to develop and strengthen social ties) and enhancement motives (i.e., volunteering to help the ego grow and develop).

Other groups with a higher likelihood of past year volunteering included respondents self-identifying as Black, those with Master’s and Doctoral degrees, students, those earning between $100,000 and $149,000 and those earing $200,000 or more, respondents who perceived their past community social services experience as somewhat or very important, and key jurisdictions (Campbell River, Dawson Creek, Salmon Arm, and Terrace).

Non-volunteers were more likely to be those 45-54 years of age, those self-identifying as East Asian, Latin American, Southeast Asian, homemakers, and those earning $19,999 or less. Among East Asians and Southeast Asians, not having enough time was cited as the most common reason.  Among Latin Americans and homemakers, not knowing how to get involved was most likely cited. Finally, low-income earners were less likely to volunteer due to the perceived financial cost and health problems that acted as barriers.