WASHINGTON, D.C. — The vast majority of U.S. youth, those aged 12 to 25, report participating in some type of formal public service or volunteering activity. But more than nine in 10 youth agree that everyday acts of kindness can be just as important as formal volunteering and say people can make a difference in their community without volunteering. Most youth report doing kind acts for others.
Donating Most Common Form of Volunteering for Youth
More than eight in 10 U.S. youth aged 12 to 25 (82%) report participating in some form of service. The most popular activities include donating goods or organizing donations (54%), environmental cleanup (35%), and volunteering at food banks or shelters (31%). More structured or civic-oriented activities are less common, ranging from volunteering at a hospital, care facility or senior center (15%) to writing letters to elected officials (13%) and participating in mission trips (8%).
These findings come from a nationally representative web-based survey of more than 3,000 U.S. youth aged 12 to 25, conducted Nov. 17-Dec. 1, 2025, using the Gallup Panel on behalf of The Allstate Foundation.
Most Youth See Everyday Kindness as Community Service
Most youth (91%) agree or strongly agree that “you can make a difference in your community even if you don’t volunteer somewhere.” More than nine in 10 also agree that everyday acts of kindness can be as important as organized service projects and that helping someone in need, even in small ways, is a form of community service.
Kind Acts Relatively Common for Youth
Service extends beyond organized volunteer activities. Roughly seven in 10 young people (71%) report helping people at least a few times in the past week, with only 4% saying they have not helped anyone.
The most common act of kindness that young people report doing in the past week is helping someone with a task (70%), followed closely by providing positive feedback, compliments or recognition (63%) and sharing snacks or supplies with someone (61%). Majorities also reporting comforting someone who was upset and showing someone how to complete a task.
Bottom Line
Most young people in the U.S. serve their community in some way. A majority of them have participated in organized volunteer activities, while others have contributed through everyday acts of kindness such as helping a neighbor, supporting a friend or sharing resources with someone in need. In the eyes of most young people, these actions belong on the same continuum of service.
Yet broader conversations about volunteerism do not always recognize these smaller acts. Expanding how service is defined and acknowledged would better reflect how young people already view their contributions and may encourage continued involvement over time.
This broader view of service may be especially important for the 15% of youth who have never participated in organized service activities. These findings suggest that the challenge is not getting more young people to serve but helping them and others recognize the service they are already providing. When everyday actions are acknowledged as meaningful, young people may be more likely to see themselves as contributors or take the next step into deeper engagement. Reframing service to reflect how youth already show up in their community could be key to expanding participation and building a stronger pipeline of lifelong civic engagement.
Read the full report from The Allstate Foundation and Gallup to learn more about how young people experience service, the important role of youth leadership in service, and practical tips to increase its benefits.
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