When citizens actively make contributions of time, money, and/or goods to meet the needs of those in their community, they contribute to the civic health of the community and the State.

VOLUNTEERING AND GIVING: The New York State Civic Health Index provides a measure of people 16 and over who participate in formal volunteer opportunities through or for an organization. In the 2010 New York Civic Health Index , 19.3% of New Yorkers 16 and older reported volunteering through or for an organization in the past 12 months. New York lags behind the country on formal volunteering participation. New York ranks 51st behind all other states and the District of Columbia in this volunteering indicator.

According to VolunteeringinAmerica.gov, an average of 2.9 million residents volunteered annually in New York between 2007 and 2009. New Yorkers volunteer for a variety of organizations. In the 2010 Civic Health Index , most New Yorkers reported volunteering for educational or youth organizations (29%), religious organizations (25.2%), social or community service organizations (16.2%), and hospitals and other health organizations (10.4%). In the Siena Research Institute 2009 Annual Statewide Poll of Holiday Spending Plans, 30% of New Yorkers intended to volunteer for organizations that assist people during the holiday season. 15

Age is one likely predictor of who volunteers in New York. Of residents 44–54 years old, almost a quarter volunteered. Only 14% of 16–24 year olds in New York were volunteers. The rate of volunteering also increases with total family income. Of respondents who reported income at $75,000 or more, 29% reported volunteering, surpassing the national average. Finally, 25% of homeowners reported being a volunteer, 13 percentage points higher than people who rent.

The CPIS also investigated volunteering among New Yorkers. In 2009, 60% reported volunteering their time at least once for some organization, charity, or cause in the last twelve months; 18% reported doing so more than once a month.

New York residents also donate in order to meet unmet needs: 42.3% reported donating money, assets, or property worth at least $25 in the past twelve months. Nationally, about one in two Americans reported donating these items. Once again, being older in age, having a higher income, and being a homeowner were related to donating at a higher rate. This pattern may reect the monetary ability to donate funds and items.

The CPIS indicated a generous nature among New Yorkers. Only 10% had not donated items such as food, blood, or clothing to the needy in their community. Additionally, three–quarters reported contributing money or property to a local charity in the last year and 60% reported that they had given more than $100 to religious and non–religious causes, including local places of worship.

NEIGHBORHOOD INVOLVEMENT: Some New Yorkers choose to address community needs by working with neighbors to solve problems. Of all Americans, 8.8% cooperated with neighbors on a community problem in the last year. New York ranked 48th with 6.9% of residents engaging in this type of cooperation.

More informally, some Americans exchange favors with neighbors. Nationally, 16.0% exchange favors with neighbors at least a few times a week. New York ranks 43rd with 14.8% reporting that they exchanged favors such as babysitting children and lending items. New Yorkers employed part time are slightly more likely to exchange favors with their neighbors (16.0%) than those employed full time (12.9%). New Yorkers making less than $35,000 and between $35,000 and $50,000 were the most likely to exchange favors a few times a week. African American New Yorkers were more likely to report not exchanging favors with neighbors than white or Asian American New Yorkers.

The CPIS investigated whether New Yorkers assisted neighbors or community members with some project or need. Only 23% reported not doing so in the past year, while 21% have assisted with such needs more than once a month. People who are not employed are more likely to say that they have not assisted in the last year (28%) than those who are employed (19%). However, similar percentages of employed and unemployed New Yorkers help neighbors once or more a month.

Americans distinguish themselves in their communities through leadership. Nationally, 10.1% of people reported serving as an ofcer or committee member in an organization. New York lags behind in this indicator, with 7.0% reporting such leadership. In New York, residents under 24 were the most likely to be non–leaders. Members of churches, synagogues, and mosques are leaders in the community at the same rate as all New Yorkers.

Leaders are important assets in their communities. They are more engaged nationally in other forms of civic engagement than non–leaders. For example, they are more likely to express political voice (66.1%) as opposed to 42.4% of non–leaders who belong to groups and 13.7% of people who do not belong to any groups. Additionally, leaders in America were 50% more likely to vote in the November 2008 election. In New York, about three out of four leaders report volunteering while a minority of non–group members (less than 15%) do so.

In the CPIS , 22% of New Yorkers reported serving as an ofcer or committee member of a local club or organization in the last year. New Yorkers aged 18–24 reported lling such positions at the lowest rate (16%) compared with other age groups, including New Yorkers 65 and older (26%).

Finally, some Americans express their values and become involved in community and global issues by monitoring their purchases. In New York, an estimated 8.1% of residents, about two percentage points lower than Americans in general, boycotted or purchased items based on the values of the supplier. College graduates in New York boycotted or purchased products based on political values at a rate of 15.0%, ten percentage points above New Yorkers with only a high school education.