4-H Volunteer Impact Study

In 2024, the second North Central Region 4-H Volunteer Impact Study was was launched to gather information from 4-H Volunteers about the perceived impact of volunteering. States involved included: IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, SD, and WI. An electronic survey was sent to 1,000 randomly selected volunteers in each state and a total of 2,252 volunteers completed the survey (18.8% response rate).

The purpose of the study was to investigate the:

Individual Benefits - or, value to the individual volunteering
Organizational Benefits - or, value to the Extension 4-H program and
Public Value - or, value to the community(ies) where they live and work

2024 Volunteer Impact Study

North Dakota Participants

45% Gen Xers

38% Millenials

14% Boomers

North Dakota 4-H Volunteer Data

Volunteer Time

Participants averaged 13.5 years of service to 4-H
Volunteers spent on average 9 hours per month for 4-H

Childhood participation in 4-H

2/3 of respondents from the region were 4-H'ers as youth
1/3 were not 4-H'ers as youth

Individual Benefits

Volunteers personally benefit from their involvement in the 4-H Youth Development Program. Volunteers come into the 4-H program hoping to support youth and make a difference, but they also gain skills in teaching, leadership and communication. These skills transfer to other environments in which volunteers work and live.

North Dakota Volunteers Reported

I built new relationships with youth: 91%
I had fun: 93%
I increased problem solving skills: 72%
I made a difference in the lives of youth: 88%
I gained skills that are useful in other settings: 80%

I impacted my community: 86%
I thought about how to include all youth in 4-H: 90%
I increased my confidence as a leader: 72%
I am better connected to my community: 74%
I increased my ability to lead a meeting: 74%

Quotes from North Dakota 4-H Volunteers

“I love to see these kids grow not only in their knowledge of various projects, but who they become because of what 4-H taught them. I've seen kids become great leaders, amazing public speakers, role models to younger kids, civic minded individuals, and just wonderful people.”

"I am a leader and also have been a judge at our local county fair. The experience of seeing the youth learning new projects and ideas has been my most significant experience as a volunteer."

"My most significant volunteer experience was taking young students and molding them into what they were meant to be! I took pride in helping them find their passions and learning to develop them! I could not pick one specific event, but the hundreds that I had the chance to show, teach, and then watch the 4-H’ers fly!"

"I want the kids to have all the opportunities in life that they deserve. I have a passion for teaching them more about where their food comes from, those who grow & raise it and also teaching them useful lifelong skills that they need to be successful contributing adults in the world."

Organizational Benefits

North Dakota volunteers give their time, talents, and energy to the 4-H Youth Development program. On average, volunteers give 9 hours per month. In addition to their time, 94% of volunteers contributed supplies and 87% of volunteers contributed money to the program.

Volunteers serve as primary ambassadors to our program doing work such as talking about the importance of 4-H, recruiting new youth and volunteers, and growing community partnerships. Most importantly, volunteers help youth gain learning and leadership skills as they prepare for careers and engage in communities.

81% help youth serve their communities

66% help make youth ready for future careers

83% help youth build leadership skills

Public Value

Volunteers impact the communities where they live and work. Their value goes beyond the scope of the program and leads to changes in community conditions. Volunteers impact communities in four main ways: by making communities stronger, by connecting communities, by improving the health of communities, and by increasing civic involvement.

85% say volunteering with 4-H makes communities stronger

83% say volunteering with 4-H contributes to better connected communities

78% say volunteering with 4-H improves the health of communities

75% say volunteering with 4-H increases civic involvement

4-H Volunteers Matter

Volunteers make a significant impact. The 4-H Youth Development program would not be possible without volunteers. Through their service, volunteers grow personally. They enrich the 4-H program and youth. They make our communities stronger.

For more information on the NCR 4-H Volunteer Impact Research Study, please contact Rachelle Vettern, Ph.D., Professor and Leadership & Volunteer Development Specialist: rachelle.vettern@ndsu.edu (701) 231-7541.

2024 Copyright North Central Region (NCR) 4-H Volunteer Impact Study conducted by the NCR Volunteer Extension Specialists and Evaluation Specialists from MN and WI.

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