What's Your 50?

Through the “What’s Your 50?” campaign, we encourage Iowans to participate in volunteer and service activities at least 50 hours per year. 

Research has shown that an annual contribution of 50 hours tends to be a tipping point for maximizing impact; both to the individual who volunteers and the recipient of their service. Imagine the difference we can make by working together to meet some of our communities’ toughest challenges.

Challenge your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers to get involved too. 

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Why 50 Hours?

Currently the average Iowan volunteers 34.2 hours per year. If Iowans increased how much time they give annually to 50 hours, an increase of fewer than 16 hours per resident, volunteers would be providing an additional $1 billion worth of services to Iowa. Or, if each resident gave less than 20 minutes more per day for a total of just one additional hour a week, we could be providing a total volunteer contribution of nearly $3 billion in services to Iowa.

In addition to these benefits to the community, research has shown that a contribution of 50 hours tends to be the minimum threshold, or a tipping point, for maximizing impact both to the individual volunteer and the benefactor of his or her service:

  • Nearly ¼ of Iowa volunteers who serve each year do not return the next, costing Iowa Nonprofits an estimated $500 million annually in lost labor. However, volunteers who serve a more substantial amount of time – 50 hours or more – are 40% more likely to serve one year to the next than those who serve 1-14 hours a year. (Volunteering in America - Issue Brief on Volunteer Retention, 2007; Leland 2009, Stanford University)
  • A study of the Americans’ Changing Lives survey found a threshold of volunteering was necessary for health benefits. Those individuals who volunteered at least 40 hours per year, as well as those who volunteered with just one organization, or group, had the lowest risk of mortality. (Musick et al., 1999)
  • When a child is mentored in a structured relationship for at least at least 50 hours a year:
    • Mentored youth were 46 percent less likely than controls to initiate drug use during the study period (70% for minority youth).
    • Mentored youth were 27 percent less likely than were controls to initiate alcohol use during the study period (50% for minority youth).
    • Mentored youth skipped half as many days of school as control youth.
    • Mentored youth academic achievement/grades improved. (Mentoring a proven delinquency strategy, Grossman & Garry, 1998)
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Become a Volunteer

Ready to help? Need ideas first? Find the best fit for your schedule, talents, and passion. 

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Nominate a Volunteer

Do you know of a volunteer who serves at least 50 hours per year? We would love to recognize them as one of our "50 Faces of Volunteers." Volunteer Iowa selects one nomination to feature every other week. Nominating is easy! 

  • You'll submit a short paragraph or two about the volunteer(s) and their experience. The who/what/where/when (or for how long) and, most importantly, the why of their volunteer cause.
  • We have provided some questions to prompt responses. This is a great opportunity to help showcase a dedicated volunteer or volunteer group in your community. An accompanying photograph of the volunteer(s) in action or at their place of service is strongly suggested.
  • We would prefer the photographs not include any person from a vulnerable population being served (children, elderly, etc.—unless permission is expressly provided in writing).
  • Tell us about a great volunteer

Have questions? Contact Volunteer Iowa at info@volunteeriowa.org with “50 Faces” in the subject line or by calling 1-800-308-5987.

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