History of American Volunteering

The history of the volunteer spirit in America is long and deep. As a nation, the United States has focused its efforts on helping others and improving their lives by creating a culture where volunteerism is valued.

History of Volunteering

The chronology below provides an overview of the development of volunteerism in the Americas:

1700s

1736: Benjamin Franklin sets up his first volunteer fire department. This tradition continues to this day as many small villages have volunteer firefighters who have a major impact on local communities.

1770: During the War of Independence, volunteers raised money for the war and organized boycotts of various British products (such as the Boston Tea Company), demonstrating their philanthropic and patriotic attitude.

1800s

1820: Religious rejuvenation during the Second Great Awakening begins in 1820. It triggered a wave of social reforms (moderation, abolition of slavery and women’s rights) and encouraged young people to engage in voluntary work.